Saba CarnivalSaba Karnaval

Saba Carnival is a week-long summer festival in late July celebrating Saban culture with parades, music, dance, food, and community competitions 1. Revived in 2023, the festival includes costume parades (including a children’s parade), live bands, and local culinary traditions. Carnival week began with cook-offs and donations, and culminated in festive street parades through the village of The Bottom, bringing together locals (and visitors) for a “vibrant mix of music, dance, food, games, and parades” 1 2. The 2023 edition honored the African ancestry of Carnival’s original founder and energized a new generation of participants.

Carnival has historic roots on Saba; the island’s original Carnival began in the early 20th century but waned over time. The modern incarnation (called Saba Summer Festival) re-establishes this tradition on a small scale. It draws on Saba’s sense of community and mix of Caribbean influences. Events like the Jungle Juice competition and children’s parade reflect local creativity and honor Saban leaders in carnival history 1 2.