Carnival Day in Sint Maarten closes the Carnival season with grand parades, music, dance and the burning of King Momo, a tradition that has grown since the 1970s into a vibrant expression of the island's culture and identity.

When is Carnival Day?

Carnival Day is the final day of the Carnival season in Sint Maarten, and it is celebrated on April 30.

The following is the list of Carnival Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Carnival Day?

The idea of Carnival in Sint Maarten traces back to Caribbean Carnival traditions, which themselves evolved from a blend of African freedom celebrations and European pre-Lenten festivities brought during colonial times.

These traditions emphasize music, dance, costumes, and satire, and spread widely across the Caribbean, with each island developing its own style.

Carnival was first formally celebrated in 1970, when the St. Maarten Festival Foundation (SMMF) was established to organize the event. Its timing was set for late April, to coincide with the island's St. Maarten Day (Nov 11) cultural traditions and to maximize tourist participation during spring.

The festival quickly became an annual highlight, drawing inspiration from neighboring islands while showcasing Sint Maarten's own culture, language, and music.

In the 1970s–1980s, Carnival was smaller, centered on community parades, steelpan competitions and calypso shows.

In the 1990s, the celebration expanded with more elaborate costumes, international performers, and the introduction of King Momo, the symbolic figure of Carnival. His burning at the end of Carnival Day became the ritual way of closing the festival.

From 2000s to present, Carnival grew into a multi-week event, usually mid-April to early May.

Carnival Day now represents the peak and conclusion of the Carnival season in Sint Maarten. It has become the island's largest cultural event, bringing together residents, diaspora, and international visitors.