Amidst outcries from the St. Croix community, the Division of Festivals has reverted to the Dec. 26 start date for Crucian Festival. This coming year’s festivities were scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2024. However, this change did not sit well with the community as it is tradition for Festival to begin the day after Christmas.
An enhanced Crucian Christmas Festival schedule and village performances from renowned Caribbean artists Patrice Roberts, Mr. Killa, Ricardo Dru, Blind Earz, and Karnage were announced by the Division of Festivals officially Thursday in a press release.
The expanded schedule, which realigns the festival with the traditional Crucian celebration dates, will run for 12 days commencing on Dec. 26 and culminating on Jan. 6, 2024. With this shift, cultural events, including the Prince, Princess, Duchess, Dukes, and Jr. Miss Pageant and the Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant, will take place in the village, serving as the epicenter of festival events, open and free to the public, according to the press release.
Updated Crucian Christmas Festival Schedule
- Dec. 26: Prince, Princess, Duchess, Dukes and Jr. Miss Pageant
- Dec. 27: Calypso Monarch Competition
- Dec. 28: Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant
- Dec. 29: Village Opens (Int’l 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 and Friends Reggae Night
- Jan. 5: Children’s parade, Band-O-Rama Night
- Jan. 6 Adults Parade, Fireworks, AfroSoca Night, Village Closing
