TORONTO — In celebration of its rich heritage and cultural diversity, Montserrat is inviting travellers to partake in key festivals taking place throughout the year, starting with St. Patrick’s Day. comes alive in traditional fanfare during a unique schedule of events that invites visitors to join in on the festivities. Below is a list of the key festivals taking place throughout the winter and summer travel seasons:
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Being the only other nation in the world aside from Ireland to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, the island infuses its African and Irish heritage into its yearly celebrations, taking place March 12-19. Notable activities include: national exhibitions showcasing the island’s history, art and literature; open-air concerts; the Junior Calypso Monarch Competition; pub crawl; Freedom Run and Walk; a Heritage Day Feast with samples of local traditional foods like bush tea, goat water and stewed yard fowl; and the not-to-be-missed event, Leprechaun’s Revenge.
Calabash Festival
The 14th Annual Calabash Festival from July 17-23, 2022 is a celebration of culture, creativity, and music. Local artisans and designers are showcased through a range of events that promote the island, such as a family fun day, a hike, island tour, boat excursion to the former capital city Plymouth and a food fair.
Cudjoe Head Celebrations
From July 29-30, 2022, residents and visitors are invited to join in the festivities that celebrate the island’s strong African heritage. Organized as a way to unify the residents of Cudjoe Head and the remaining cultures that share the small island, the festival is also a way for Montserratians to highlight their African roots and the impact it has on the destination’s culture.
Carnival (Festival)
Running from mid-December to New Year’s Day, visitors to Montserrat get real insight into local culture during this always popular event. There are a wide range of cultural activities scheduled such as calypso competitions, masquerade street performances, the festival Queen Competition, open-air concerts, and a parade of costumed troupes on New Year’s Day.
Villa accommodations
Montserrat’s villas offer prime accommodations for couples, families and friends who long for an affordable upmarket Caribbean getaway. Surrounded by verdant mountains, blue sea vistas, curvy slopes and deep valleys, Montserrat’s villas provide all the features, conveniences and comforts of a vacation home.
The destination’s beauty extends far beyond its scenic shoreline, to beneath the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. With more than 13 miles of coastline, visitors can spend an afternoon discovering an underwater paradise by booking an unforgettable aquatic adventure with the island’s two water sports operators: Aqua Montserrat and Scuba Montserrat.
For up-to-date information on travelling to Montserrat and its upcoming events, go to www.visitmontserrat.com.
