The Crucian Christmas Festival gets underway on Tuesday, launching 12 days of revelry that Tourism officials say will offer a “festival season like no other.”
Now in its 71st year, the Crucian Christmas Festival represents the island’s longstanding cross-cultural influence, combining Caribbean, African, Spanish, and Dutch influences to showcase a unique experience like no other in the region, the Tourism Department noted in a press release announcing the schedule of events.
Residents and guests can expect to experience the traditional carnival events, including the beloved Princess and Queen pageants, it said.
Beginning Jan. 1 revelers can kick off the new year with a food fair, J’ouvert, and a return of the Village Nights featuring performances from top global and local musical acts.
Celebrations will culminate with a parade featuring thousands of masqueraders filling the streets of Christiansted and Frederiksted followed by a grand closing performance in the festival Village on Jan. 6.
“This year, we are gearing up to go bigger and better for St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival,” said Ian Turnbull, director of Festivals. “We welcome everyone to join us for a festival season like no other.”
The official lineup includes:
Dec. 26 – Prince, Princess, Duchess, Duke and Jr. Miss Pageant
Dec. 27 – Calypso Monarch Competition
Dec. 28 – Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant
Dec. 29 – Festival Village Opens – International Cultural Night
Dec. 30 – Soca Monarch
Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve Celebration
Jan. 1 – Latin Night
Jan. 2 – Sweet Melanin Ladies Night
Jan. 3 – Food, Arts and Crafts Fair – Ubersoca Night
Jan. 4 – J’Ouvert Lovers & Friends Reggae Night
Jan. 5 – Children’s Parade, Band-O-Rama Night
Jan. 6 – Adults Parade, Fireworks, Afrosoca Night, Village Closing
The Festival Village Nights performance line-up will be headlined by Davido. The Afrobeats star, known for hit songs including “Unavailable,” will culminate 12 days of celebrations during the island’s first Afro-Soca night, with additional performances from Soca sensation Mr. Killa and local stars Mic Love, Bugz, Sisa, and Quan, backed by Blind Earz Band.
“I am proud and excited to experience the action-packed series of Village Nights the Division of Festivals has in store for us at this year’s Crucian Christmas Festival,” said Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. “This year, we are continuing to broaden our scope for carnival celebrations throughout the territory, and the cornerstone for that is providing top entertainment to residents and guests.”
The musical star power invading the Crucian Christmas Festival Village begins with International Cultural Night on Dec. 29, with performances from legendary USVI groups Stanley and The Ten Sleepless Knights, Spectrum Band, Xpress Band, and Cool Session Brass.
St Croix native Adam O headlines Soca Night alongside Virgin Islands breakout star Pumpa and Trinidadian songstress Patrice Roberts. The bands will take over the Village with a Band-o-Rama night featuring the Virgin Islands’ Karnage with special guest Krosfyah from Barbados.
“This year, we are excited to begin to bridge the gap between Africa and the USVI, bringing one of the leading AfroBeats artists to the territory for the first time,” said Turnbull. “Our ongoing goal of continued cultural exchange expands across the ocean to tap into our roots, allowing us to grow our festivals into an international event.”
The Village will kick off the new year with a Latin Night headlined by Charlie Aponte, celebrating the island’s prosperous Latin and Hispanic communities. Caribbean flavors from throughout the Lesser Antilles will be on full display during the Lover & Friends Reggae Night and Sweet Melanin-Ladies Night with performances from Dexta Daps, Capleton, Kranium, Nadia Boston and Virgin Islands native Nikki Brooks, with headline performances from Alison Hinds and the Queen of Bacchanal Destra.
To explore the full Crucian Christmas Festival schedule, visit the Tourism Department’s website.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has granted administrative leave for non-essential employees territorywide according to the following schedule:
Christmas Day – Monday, Dec. 25
Christmas Second Day – Tuesday, Dec. 26
New Year’s Day – Monday, Jan. 1
Crucian Christmas Festival Children’s Parade – Friday, Jan. 5
Non-essential employees on St. Croix have been granted administrative leave to participate in the Crucian Christmas Festival Food, Arts and Crafts Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4.
