Virgin Gorda Easter Festival

Every Easter, Virgin Gorda [1] puts on the swinging, high-spirited Virgin Gorda Easter Festival. Smaller than the festivals, or carnivals, on Tortola [2] and St. Thomas [3], Virgin Gorda’s annual celebration makes up for its size with an abundance of spirit. The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival includes nightly entertainment in the Festival Village, set up in the schoolyard. There are also beauty pageants, calypso competitions, a food fair, and J’ouvert, an early-morning street party with thumping bass lines and energetic dancing.

Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel [4] (284/495-5252) hosts a fishing tournament on Easter weekend during the festival. The weigh-in always winds up as a rollicking party with music and plenty of fish tales.

Festivities climax with a parade through the streets of Spanish Town [5] on the Monday following Easter. The parade ends at the Festival Village, which during this period hosts many musical performances, Coney Island rides, and general good fun throughout the night.

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival normally gets going during the week before Easter. Call the BVI Tourist Board office at the Yacht Harbour (284/495-5181) for a schedule and more information.