Tourism releases Crucian Christms Festival schedule, entertainment list pending

ST. CROIX – The Division of Festivals under the V.I. Tourism Department released the Crucian Christmas Festival schedule, but the much-anticipated list of entertainers who draw legions to the Festival Village during the course of the celebration is still pending.

Events kick off Dec. 26 with the Festival Prince and Princess Competition. Opening night will follow with competitions for Calypso Monarch and Soca Monarch, Band Clash, Food Fair, J’ouvert, as well as signature nights at the Village before ending with festival Children’s and Adults’ parades as well as fireworks on Jan. 4, 2025. Shamari Haynes, Tourism deputy commissioner touted this year’s theme, “Keeping Our Traditions and Culture Alive for Crucian Christmas Festival 2024-2025” noting “we have a theme this year that is very fitting for all that we want to see as Festival evolves.”

“We had a poll of theme suggestions submitted by the community this summer and Kafi Armstrong submitted the winner theme and will have exclusive entry to all Festival events for the season,” Haynes said. He promised a celebration to remember. “With us marketing festival on a global scale we have to bring top-notched events,” he said. “We have done our research and realize that our Festival is growing, people are coming and whether they are first-time visitors, they are from here or they visit festivals all over, people are coming and coming back and bringing friends with them so our numbers are going up.”