Carnival Day in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Carnival Day is a holiday that’s observed annually on January 2nd in Saint Kitts and Nevis and is also known by the name of Sugar Mas. The carnival associated with this holiday is considered by many to be the best island carnival in the entire world and many people book their holidays to coincide with this event.

This carnival is a creative blend of African heritage, Caribbean culture, and Christmas traditions that last for a period of 6-weeks—with its culmination on the 2nd of January. It’s a time to enjoy street dancing, exotic foods, parades, and folklore and a celebration that’s not to be missed.

The History Of Carnival Day

Carnival Day began in 1957 by Mr. Basil Henderson. Although he received a lot of resistance to the festival from the church at the time, community members helped him organize the event.

By the 1960s, the carnival had grown to not only feature a street parade, but also a calypso show and steelpan musical performers. It’s been a regular 6-week holiday ever since on Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Facts About Saint Kitts And Nevis

We’ve done the research and now we’re in possession of some fun facts about Saint Kitts And Nevis that we will now share with everyone now.

Saint Kitts was the first British colony in the Caribbean.
Saint Kitts and Nevis gained independence from Britain in 1983.
The islands are known for a stew made from the meat and neck bones of goats. This is called Goat Water.

Observing Carnival Day

Carnival Day begins 6-weeks before January 2nd and usually begins on a Friday. The carnival will start off with a female calypso show before moving on to other celebrations. All throughout the festival, people will be able to enjoy street food, watch dancers perform traditional dances, and partake in a number of cultural events. Parade Day is the largest of the celebrations during this time and falls on New Year’s Day—the day before Carnival Day.