The Crucian Christmas Festival – Celebrating it’s 60th Year

A month (plus) long celebration that incorporates modern day celebrations with long standing traditions, The Crucian Christmas Festival is celebrating it’s 60th anniversary this year.  The traditions date back to at least the early 1800′s when enslaved Africans were allowed to celebrate Christmas and New Years.  What we’ve come to know as the Crucian Christmas Festival became an annual event in 1952.

The festival celebrations include nightly displays of talented bands and musicians, pageants for Carnival royalty and fairs that showcase local crafts, foods, and drinks.

This year the festivities span all across the big island of St. Croix. While usually most of the action happens in Frederiksted, there are additional events and venues added this year.  Saturday, December 15th is Jus Mas!, an all day music festival in downtown Christiansted featuring all sorts of music. It begins at 9 am and lasts until midnight –  Christiansted will be jumpin’!  In addition to the main Festival Village this year (which opens on 12/27), there will be two Mini Villages, one at Canegata Ball Park from 12/21 – 12/23 and in Mon Bijou from 12/24 – 12/26.

The best is saved for last.  The famous Parades are the last of the official festival events.  January 4th is the Children’s Parade and January 5th is the Adult’s Parade.  The Parades are a beautiful display of Crucian culture with troupes dancing through the streets all day long wearing beautifully hand crafted, vibrant costumes.

Check out these festive photos and videos from years past and be sure to share your photos, videos and stories with us from this year’s 60th anniversary of Crucian Christmas Festival.

See you there!