St Kitts Sugar Mas: dates, what to expect and how to go

St Kitts Carnival, known as Sugar Mas, runs from mid-December into early January, with J'ouvert at dawn on Boxing Day and the Grand Parade through Basseterre around New Year.

Our 2026–27 departures (23 December–3 January and 27 December–3 January) are sold out. Join the waitlist on the trip page for the next season.

It's the only major Caribbean carnival that takes place over Christmas and New Year. The season builds through J'ouvert, the Calypso Monarch competition and the National Carnival Queen Pageant to the Grand Parade, when masqueraders in feathers, beads and sequins dance through Basseterre.

This is the shape of our St. Kitts Carnival itinerary, day by day. Events can change from year to year, so the trip page always has the current plan.

• Day 1: Arrival in St. Kitts – Free Time. Touch down at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB), where your arrival transfer takes you to the hotel in Frigate Bay.
• Day 2: Christmas Eve – AKTIVATE Boat Ride. The morning and afternoon are free. On Christmas Eve the group heads to Port Zante in Basseterre to board the Prince Devonté J for AKTIVATE, a drink-inclusive Sugar Mas boat ride with limited food included.
• Day 3: Christmas Day – Free Day. Christmas Day in the Caribbean. No group activities are planned today, so spend it as you like: on the beach, by the pool or over a long lunch at your own cost.
• Day 4: J'ouvert with Excess – SmALL Island. Boxing Day starts before dawn. Transport leaves around 3:30 am for the J'ouvert morning experience with Excess J'ouvert at Last Lap Bar and Lounge, with drinks and breakfast included.
• Day 5: Sundaze (VIP) – Anchored All-Inclusive Boat Ride. Transport leaves around 9 am for Sundaze at National Heroes Park, where the group is in the VIP section with premium drinks and finger food included.
• Day 6: Nevis Island Tour – Costume Collection. A change of pace today with a tour of Nevis, St. Kitts' smaller sister island, leaving around 9 am.
• Day 7: Sunset All-Inclusive Fete (VIP). The day is free until the evening. Transport leaves around 9:45 pm for the Sunset All-inclusive Fete at Conaree Lawn, where the group is in the VIP section with premium drinks and finger food included.
• Day 8: Soaked Paint x Powder – Opulence at Carambola Beach Club. An early one: transport leaves around 3 am for Soaked Paint x Powder at The Venue, Lime Kiln Commercial, with paint, powder and water from the small hours into sunrise.
• Day 9: St. Kitts Island Tour – Midnight at the Amazon. On New Year's Eve the group tours St. Kitts, leaving around 9 am. Wear comfortable clothing.
• Day 10: Carnival Street Parade Day 1 (Full Costume). New Year's Day is parade day. Transport leaves around 10 am for Dr. William Connor Primary School, where you meet the band at the starting point and a light breakfast is provided.
• Day 11: Carnival Street Parade Day 2 – Brunch at Sugar Apple. Transport leaves around 11:30 am for Sugar Apple in Fortlands, a brunch and bacchanal event with food and drinks included, before the band hits the road at 2:30 pm for day two of the street parade.
• Day 12: St. Kitts Departure. Depending on your flight time, there may be a few hours for souvenir shopping or a last swim.

The trip page shows from US$3,210 per person sharing for the 2026–27 season.

Your costume is extra, but costume coordination and pickup are included on our trip. International flights and travel insurance are extra.

Compare every carnival in Caribbean carnival packages 2027.

Fly into and out of Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB).

Our small groups of 6 to 16 travellers include fete tickets, hotel, airport transfers and a Soca Islands host. See the St. Kitts Carnival trip for dates, prices and what's included.