The Minister Responsible for Creative Industries, Dwayne George, calls for responsible behavior during the festivities marking Antigua Carnival 2026. Minister George spoke on Saturday at the Opening Parade for Carnival 2026, inviting revelers to enjoy the Carnival while emphasizing the importance of safety.
“I want you to put safety as a priority going forward. I want you to jam and celebrate, but to celebrate respectfully and responsibly. I want to say to the good people of Antigua and Barbuda and those from our diaspora visiting for Carnival, that we are ready; we are feeling the rhythm, let’s get the party started,” he urged.
“Antigua and Barbuda Carnival 2026 is now open, open for jamming. Let’s get the party rolling. We’re ready; feel the rhythm,” George extolled the gathering.
What followed was the T-Shirt Mas and Opening Parade, one of the highlights of the annual Carnival festivities. Among the participants in the opening festivities was Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who noted that the annual carnival was ‘off to a good start’ as he too urged revelers to enjoy the Carnival but to do so in a peaceful and respectful manner.
The remainder of the Carnival program includes the rescheduled Junior Carnival, postponed from Sunday to Wednesday due to heavy early morning showers that lasted until around midday. On Thursday is the Caribbean Melting Pot show, Friday is the Calypso Monarch Competition, Saturday is Panorama, and Sunday is the Party Monarch competition. The Parade of Bands and the Judging of Troupes and Groups take place on Carnival Monday and Tuesday (August 3 and 4).