Antigua Carnival is a homegrown summer festival that peaks in the first days of August. J’Ouvert at daybreak on Monday brings paint, powder, and mud, and the parade of bands returns on Tuesday through Saint John’s. In between, calypso and Panorama competitions, the Party Monarch, and a busy fete calendar keep the island moving.

It feels warmer and more compact than the big-name Carnivals, and that is a big part of the appeal. What trips up first-timers is that J’Ouvert and the parade are two separate experiences, and that costumed bands share the road with T-shirt mas troupes, which changes how you choose who to play with. The Antigua & Barbuda Destination Guide covers the bands and troupes, fetes, J’Ouvert, road days, where to stay, getting around, where to eat, beaches, and emergency and pharmacy information.

Packing, budgeting, money, and hydration are covered in Carnival Me Ready Essentials, a separate set of guides that pairs with any island.

The Antigua & Barbuda 2027 Guide is now available for $10 in the Shop. Choose the guide in the Shop, create your Carnival Me Ready account, enter your payment information, and complete your purchase. Once your purchase is complete, your guide will be available to view online through your account. Guides are view-only and are not delivered as downloadable PDFs.