Antigua's carnival is hailed as "the Caribbean's greatest summer festival" and certainly it would be hard to find a more anticipated Antiguan celebration. Crowds "jump up" in the streets, troops parade their latest costume creations and hoards of West Indian ex-patriots return to watch 10 days of Calypso, steel band and Carnival Queen competitions.

It all started on 3rd June 1952 as a one day event, originally organised as part of the Coronation celebrations for Queen Elisabeth II. Several merchants contributed elaborately decorated floats for the occasion. Buildings were gayly decorated with bunting. Streets were lit with coloured lights. Ceremonial arches and buildings were floodlit. Thousands took to the streets to participate in the Carnival parade and as a result of it's popularity the first Chairperson, Mr. John F. 'Ferdie' Shoul was encouraged to inaugurate an annual affair.

It was not until 1956 that a carnival "master plan" was submitted by Mr. Maurice Ambrose, builder and musician, upon returning from the Virgin Islands Carnival. 'Ferdie' Shoul was commissioned to approach the Government for assistance and official authority to declare August Monday a public holiday. The Antigua Sugar Factory first objected to the loss of a day's work, but the managers were persuaded that the sugar crop could be reaped with speed before Carnival, allowing 'cropover' to be celebrated as well.

In August 1957, Antigua celebrated its first official two-day Carnival declaring it as a tourist attraction and the commemoration of the emancipation from slavery. Henceforth carnival has become an important part of the cultural activities of Antiguans and currently runs from the last week in July through to the first Tuesday in August.