Yes, there is no doubt year round, Antigua is a hub for sports festivals and events. Begin to count: in Winter: Round the Island Race in January, Jolly Harbour Yacht-Valentine Day Regatta; in Spring: Antigua International Laser Open (an Antigua YachtClub event), Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sailing Week, International Cricket One Day International, Annual Antigua Tennis Week, Antigua & Barbuda Sports Fishing Tournament, in Summer: Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament in 2006 with 19 countries Caribbean countries competing for a prize of one million dollars, Antigua’s Annual International Amateur Badminton Tournament, Caribbean Sailing Association Dinghy Championship, and in Fall Jolly Harbour Annual Regatta, OECS Volleyball Championship, Inaugural Boat Rowing Regatta, and many, many others.

Even when sports events supersede other kind of festivals, year round Antigua and Barbuda hosts festivals that celebrate music, food, dance.

The most important cultural celebration is Antigua and Barbuda Carnival. Of historical value as it was inaugurated in 1834 to celebrate de end of slavery, it is a two week event in the last week of July and first of August. It features parades, Carnival Queen pageants, live entertainment on the streets of St. John‘s, and food that can be purchased from booths set up for the occasion. It breathes spontaneity and the only rule is to join a party where locals and tourists mix. For further information, take a look at the Carnival website at: http://www.antiguacarnival.com .

Being food an essential component of Antigua’s culture, there are some festivals that celebrate it: the International Anglican Food Fair in May, the fete Guadeloupe with Food in July, and the Spring Gardens Moravian Independence Food Fair in October.

For a comprehensive list of festivals and events, check out Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism website at http://www.antigua-barbuda.org .