Antigua and Barbuda Carnival 2022: the country of the two islands will host the event in July, schedule announced

Antigua and Barbuda: The Ministry of Creative Industries and Innovation (MCII) is set to launch the 2022 edition of Antigua Carnival. This year’s Carnival theme will be “Experience Greatness – Again!”

The ministry recently shared the rich, dynamic and cultural festival schedule. The long-awaited carnival will be staged after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Michael Browne, minister responsible for festivals, said more than 50 countries around the world celebrate carnival every year, but none come close to the level of the “biggest summer festival – Antigua Carnival”.

He asked residents to look to “reviving” the spirit of Carnival through this year’s festivities.

Also, to heighten excitement among the people of Antigua and Barbuda, he said the Carnival would see performances from the country’s leading soca and calypso performers including Tian Winter, Claudette ‘CP’ Peters, Dennise ‘Menace’ Roberts, Jahsan Hughes, Althea ‘Queen Althea’ Williams and Richie Francis.

The Minister also highlighted the difficulties in planning the event in 2022, as the threat of the COVID-19 virus is still looming and many countries are facing the 5th-6th wave of infection. To date, Antigua and Barbuda has approximately 175 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The schedule shared by the ministry is as follows:
July 22, Friday – Pre-Carnival events include a Band Meet Band showdown;
July 23, Saturday – Mas T-shirt;
July 24, Sunday – Motor Show and Celebration in honor of Sir McLean “King Short Shirt” Emanuel;
July 25, Monday – Teen Rave;
July 26, Tuesday – The country will also see the staging of Drue’s Day;
July 27, Wednesday – Carnival officially begins with the grand opening and the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show.

Other activities on the calendar are Melting Pot, Panorama Competition, Party Monarch, Watch Night Celebration, Calypso Monarch Competition, Emancipation Day, J’ouvert, Culture and Cuisine, Carnival Monday, Calypso Monarch Competition and the Parade of the Bands and Last Lap on August 2.