Carnival enthusiasts in Saint Lucia and around the globe gathered last week Thursday for the launch of Lucian Carnival 2025.
The cultural event was launched earlier than is customary, on March 13, to set the stage for what promises to be the most spectacular season yet.

Chairman of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee,Tamara Gibson spoke on the strategic decision to launch early.
“The carnival season continues to grow, and an early launch allows us more time to prepare and deliver an unforgettable experience,” Gibson explained. The extended timeline “ensures stakeholders can focus on creating a truly exceptional product.”

Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

“This season is already so exciting. There is so much energy even at this early stage. The bands are reporting that there is much interest, and based on flights, on bookings, what we're hearing from the hotels, it means it's going to be a bumper year and that's good news for us.”

Bank of Saint Lucia, a long-standing sponsor of Lucian Carnival, has pledged support for the festival. Genevieve Downes, Acting Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications, emphasized the bank’s dedication to empowering creatives. She stated that carnival is a cornerstone of our cultural and tourism offerings and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sponsorship, to ensure the festival’s continued success.

Lucian Carnival 2025 will feature events such as the National Carnival Queen Pageant, the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch, and the King and Queen of the Bands Competition. This year’s festivities will also introduce exciting new additions like Export the Runway and the Lucian Carnival Lecture, offering novel experiences for both local and international revelers.

Stay tuned for more updates as the countdown to carnival begins!