Carnival in St. Thomas (not the cruise line)

[kyleminski]

I hope someone out there can help. I was told by a co-worker that in April St.thomas celebrates their yearly carnival and all the shops are closed. I can't imagine this is true because of all the money they would lose while the cruise ships are in port, anyone know about this?

[oneoarbob]

I too will be in st thomas that same week. RCCL carnival sounds fun but strolling for shopping also. google carnival st thomas maybe that will help :confused:

[Jeanne B]

Carnival is from 4/8-4/28 this year, it doesn't seem at all logical that the shops would be closed, maybe only for certain events? We were in St John last summer during their carnival and the shops weren't closed during the week we were there (we had to leave before the 4th of July parade though, they might have been closed for that).

 

Here's a link...

 

http://www.vicarnival.com/

[richtersl]

We were there for Carnival two years ago. Downtown is crazy but the parades and festivities take place only during certain hours.

 

Many of the same shops that are downtown can also be found at Havensight, which is one of the cruise ship docks in St. Thomas. The other one is Crown Bay and I don't believe there are any shops there. Yet.

 

Your best bet would be to do your shopping that week at Havensight. It'll be much less hectic.

[Ms411]

Most of the stores on Main Street are only closed on the last Friday and Saturday of Carnival, because the adults' and children's parade take place on Main Street, and with the crowds, there's no way to walk down the sidewalk to get into the stores.

 

Most of the other stores on the island will be open, though not all, because it's those same people working in the shops that are either in the parade or have children in the parade.

[The Islander]

Hello,

 

Carnival is a month long period however the events for the first few weeks are night time events. The last week there are day time & nighttime events. The biggest day time events are Food Fair, Chidrens Parade and Adults Parade. The shops downtown do close for the two parades, which are scheduled this year for April 27th and 28th. The Food & Cultural Fair is April 25th, the shops downtown are open that day and downtown will be busy. :)

 

If you happen to be visiting the island on any of those three days consider including a few hours of taking in this amazing cultural event in your plans. Food Fair is a wonderful opportunity to sample local dishes, deserts, hear local music, purchase hand made local arts and crafts and get a taste of our local culture. Downtown will be busy busy but its a great event. Similarly the parades are worth catching a few hours of; I'd recommend mid-parade for the adults parade as the first entries are usually the floats of royalty while the later entries are the bigger groups... some of which include hundreds of costumed participants... some larger costumes spanning the whole width of the street. Lots of trucks playing loud music with floats and troupes of participants dancing behind them.

 

PS. St. John has Carnival celebrations as well. And their parade is July 4th. Ferry service is doubled to accomodate residents going to and from St. John for the event. Worth noting if you are visiting on that day and had plans for going over to St. John... which you should keep and plan to take in the parade!! :)

 

--Islander

[kyleminski]

Islander-

 

Thank you for the information we will only be there the 26th, and now I'm mad I will miss the food fair and crafts.