The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) has announced that the official launch of Antigua Carnival 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Rising Sun Grounds, marking the first major event leading into the country’s premier summer festival.

Held under the theme “Feel the Rhythm,” the launch event will introduce the public to the spirit and energy of what is widely known as “Antigua Carnival – The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival.” The free event begins at 2:00 p.m., inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy an afternoon and evening of culture, music, and community celebration.

Organizers say the launch will go beyond the traditional unveiling of the Carnival calendar. Patrons will be welcomed into the Carnival Rhythm Village, an immersive cultural space designed to showcase the music, traditions, and creativity that define Antigua’s Carnival.

The village will feature food and artisan vendors, a children’s zone, cultural drumming demonstrations, DJ-mixed rhythmic sets, steelband performances, and traditional iron band showcases. Visitors will also be able to interact with pulse-themed photo stations and vibrant Carnival installations, while displays of Carnival costumes and T-shirt mas will offer an early preview of the season’s creativity and provide opportunities for discounted early registration.

The celebration will shift into a lively stage production at 7:00 p.m., highlighting the musical and cultural elements that shape Antigua Carnival. A special tribute segment will honour legendary calypsonians King Short Shirt, Calypso Joe, King Obstinate, and King Swallow, recognizing their lasting influence on the nation’s musical heritage.

The event will also spotlight emerging talent, with performances and appearances from several young cultural ambassadors, including Junior Calypso Monarch Ruez Titre, Junior Soca Monarch (Groovy) Ava Magloire, Junior Soca Monarch (Jumpy) Jontae Francis, Mr. Teenage Antigua William Christian, and Miss Teenage Antigua Tekyra Richards.

Patrons will also be introduced to the 2026 Queen of Carnival delegates, alongside the reigning Queen of Carnival 2025, Kia Kirwan.

Adding to the excitement, the audience will be treated to performances from the 2025 Carnival champions, including Calypso Monarch G’Eve, Road March Champion Soca Villan, and Party Monarch Tian Winter, bringing the energy of Antigua’s soca and calypso traditions to the stage.

Chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, Elizabeth Makhoul, said the launch marks an important cultural milestone for the nation.

“The official launch of Antigua Carnival signals the beginning of a season that celebrates the very essence of who we are as a people,” Makhoul said. “This year’s theme, Feel the Rhythm, captures the heartbeat of our culture—from the drum and steelpan to calypso and soca—connecting generations through music and celebration. The Rhythm Village will allow patrons to fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and spirit of Carnival as we begin the journey toward Antigua Carnival 2026.”

The Commission says the launch is designed to set the tone for the upcoming Carnival season by celebrating cultural heritage, national pride, community participation, and the vibrancy of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative industries.

In 2026, organizers say, Antigua and Barbuda will do more than host Carnival — the nation will truly “Feel the Rhythm.”