St Maarten Carnival is back. 

The Dutch Caribbean destination’s popular carnival celebration is back this year for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. 

“This year’s event will attract thousands of participants worldwide, who will come to enjoy the best entertainment experience our destination has to offer,” said Roger Lawrence, St Maarten’s Minister of Tourism. 

“Carnival is a celebration of our Caribbean culture blended with great music, high energy and a mixture of exciting foods and drinks from over 91 different cultures,” Lawrence said. 

This year’s celebration lasts from April 16 to May 3, Lawrence confirmed, calling it “our core St Maarten cultural expression.”

“We are gearing up to put our talented local creatives on the world stage and show our visitors and friends a great time after being unable to host Carnival for two years,” he said. “If you have been to St. Maarten for Carnival, you are familiar with the fascinating display of costumes, colors, dance and music that we have perfected over fifty-one years.”