Christiansted Jump Up

Musicians and merchants set up stands and stages in the streets, food and drinks from the restaurants and bars flow into the people crammed streets, filling the air with a certain perfume. Stores entice passer-bys with incredible sales and raffles. Mocko Jumbies and onlookers delight in the sounds of the Caribbean while the moon shines above, casting an energizing beam on the happy guests.

This could only be one thing, Jump Up!

Jump Up started as a way to boost the economy as well as morale on the island, and has become popular among locals and visitors alike. Jump Up is now one of St. Croix’s favorite social events.

Jump Up happens every year around the same time: February, around Valentine’s Day, at the end of April, right before the Triathalon, early July for Alexander Hamilton Day, and the day after Thanksgiving in November

Here, you can taste samples from many of the restaurants, or hear what local musicians have been creating, slip into the mind of a local artist, win prizes, or find handmade jewelry and crafts to remind you of the Caribbean and its splendor.

Jump up is also a learning experience. You can be entertained by St. Croix’s cultural dancers, the Mocko Jumbies. Their presence is like a blessing, in that they were created to mock evil spirits and scare them away.

Enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean with St. Croix’s youth playing the Steel Pans. Old cultural stories are told by the Pan, and its Calypso voice or perhaps you may recognize one of your favorite, more modern tunes flowing through the street with a hint of Caribbean seasoning.

So there you go. Food, drinks, music, art, dancing, sales, giveaways, and tons of fun…that it happens in the streets of Christiansted, St. Croix makes it even more festive! Be sure to include this Caribbean street party in your plans your next trip to St. Croix!