ANTIGUA CARNIVAL

As anticipation rises towards the staging of “The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival”, Antigua’s Carnival 2023. The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries is extending a special invitation to ALL to witness and participate in the iconic Launch of Antigua’s Carnival. This magnificent event will take place on Saturday, 15th April 2023, unfolding in a stage extravaganza: - T-Shirt Mas commencing at 2 pm sharp. Masqueraders are encouraged to wear their old T-Shirt Mas shirts from previous years. The starting point is at the Old House of Culture on Parliament Drive. The Parade will turn right onto Queen Elizabeth Highway, right onto Independence Drive, Left onto Redcliffe Street, right onto Thames Street, right onto High Street, up Factory Road and right onto Parliament Drive for the climax. Launch Concert commencing at 6 pm at the Rising Sun Grounds. Patrons will be treated to a diverse cultural story encapsulating our cultural elements along with features from the 2022 winners’ circle. Mas, Pan, Soca, and Calypso will be prominently featured. One of the evening’s highlights is the début of our 2023 Queen of Carnival Contestants.

The Ministry is encouraging Vendors who wish to ply their trade at the Launch to register soonest as this will be on a first-come basis as space is limited. Vendors are also reminded that absolutely no drinks should be sold in breakable bottles. This customary security measure is to avoid any broken bottles being deposited onto the field, or used as a weapon in the occurrence of any fights.
Forms may be obtained from any of the Ministry’s three (3) locations:
● The Department of Creative Industries Office on Old Parham Road – 562 9605/06.
● The Department of Creative Industries Office on Redcliffe Street (Formerly the Festivals Office) - 462 4707.
● The Department of Creative Industries, Cultural Unit on Lower Nevis Street - 462 5644.

The Creative Industries remains thankful by the support of the public, artists and our service providers.

Registration for Antigua’s Carnival 2023, “The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival”, has officially begun. The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries wishes to advise that registration is currently open, for the following disciplines and competitions:
    1. Vendors and Booth Operators
2. Mr. & Miss Teenage Pageant
3. Junior Carnival (Mas)
4. Junior Calypso
5. Junior Party Monarch
6. J’ouvert Troupes
7. Mas Troupes
8. T-Shirt Mas Troupes 9. Individual Mas
10. Monday Wear
11. Carnival Floats
12. Calypso Tents 13. Calypso Monarch 14. Party Monarch
All persons desirous of participating in this year’s Carnival competition(s) are kindly asked to obtain forms daily Monday to Thursday between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:30 pm and Fridays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Forms may be obtained from any of the Ministry’s three (3) locations:
● The Department of Creative Industries Office on Old Parham Road – 562 9605/06.
● The Department of Creative Industries Office on Redcliffe Street (formerly the Festivals Office) - 462 4707.
● The Department of Creative Industries, Cultural Unit on Lower Nevis Street - 462 5644.
Please note that completed registration forms must be returned to the Old Parham Road Office, upstairs the KFC and Inet Building ONLY.
The deadline for ALL Carnival Competitions and Calypso Tents is Monday 15th May; meanwhile, Vendor and Booth Operators registration concludes on Friday 3rd July.