Good Time to Visit

Weather

The climate in Antigua and Barbuda is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 24°C in January to 27°C in August-September. It receives an average annual rainfall of 100 cm, most of which falls between September to December. Tropical storms and hurricanes may occur between June and November. The islands are best visited during the cool and dry December to April period.

Visitors are advised to bring lightweight cottons or linen clothing, with rainwear from September to December.

Festivals

Carnival, Antigua's big annual festival, starts at the end of July and culminates in a parade on the first Tuesday in August. It historically commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies. Most Carnival activity takes place in St John's, where calypso music, steel bands, masqueraders, floats and street 'jump-ups' are all part of the celebrations. Another event is the annual Antiguan Jazz Festival, which takes place in October.

Antigua's Sailing Week is a major week-long yachting event in April, attracting about 150 boats. In addition to races, there are rum parties and a formal ball, with most activities taking place at Nelson's Dockyard and Falmouth Harbour. In June, Barbuda has a celebration of its own called Caribara.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Antigua and Barbuda: