Carnival of St. Maarten

Carnival comes to St. Maarten once a year, bursting upon the senses just after Easter. It is held pre-Lent and most of the events are on the waterfront in Marigot.

It begins with the Balloon Jump-Up, the first of the "Jump-Up" parades that wind their way through the streets until April 30, the birthday of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. 

The Balloon Jump-Up celebrates the opening of Carnival Village, an area two blocks from Front Street. The "Jump-Up" parades, comprised of floats, live bands, the Caribbean Queen Pageant, Calypso competitions, and brightly costumed dancers, are the major Carnival attractions.

The largest of the processions is the Grand Carnival Parade, which features elaborately dressed Carnival troupes winding along a four-mile route along with steel drum bands and comedians from throughout the Caribbean.

The grand finale to Carnival is the Last Lap Jump-Up, lead by King Momo, the straw figure who reigns over Carnival and the burning of King Momo symbolizes the end of Carnival.