2020 is going to be an eye-opening year for visitors to Anguilla. There is the annual ‘Moonsplash’ reggae festival, the month-long celebration of food and of course, Anguilla’s well-stocked cultural calendar which is brimming with events that elevate it to the top of on the discerning traveller’s must-visit list.
February 12th 2020: With its tropical climate, powdery white beaches and azure waters, Anguilla undeniably makes for the ultimate Caribbean winter sun getaway. And with the island’s calendar packed with fascinating and characterful cultural, culinary and sports events in all seasons, there’s ample reason to visit all year round.
From the annual ‘Moonsplash’ reggae festival to a month full of culinary delights, and another dedicated to wellness with plenty of public activities and discounts, discover the events that make Anguilla worth a visit in 2020.
12th – 15th March: 30th Annual Moonsplash Music Festival
Occurring on the weekend of the Full Moon in March, the Caribbean’s longest-running independent music festival returns in 2020 for its 30th year! Hosted by reggae legend Bankie Banx at the beachside Dune Preserve bar and music venue on Rendezvous Bay, the four-day jam welcomes international musicians and music fans to one of the world’s best full moon beach parties.
1st – 30th April – Extraordinary Eats
A vibrant month-long celebration of Anguilla’s rich food culture and culinary arts. Including the ‘Taste of the Strip’ food market, mixology and cookery classes talks at the Agriculture Farm, food experiences such as mango or salt picking, a ‘Bake Off’ competition, Chef’s Table menu tastings for both the public and private sector hosted by the Anguilla Tourism Board, and special three-course ‘prix fixe’ menus. The festival will conclude with a ‘grand finale’ dinner prepared by a selection of international chef talent.
11th-13th April, Easter Weekend: Festival Del Mar
A weekend dedicated to the sea and its fruits, Festival Del Mar is celebrated in the beautiful fishing village of Island Harbour with a Deep Sea fishing competition, swimming races, crab races, culinary contests as well as live string band music. The celebrations culminate with the annual Easter Monday Boat Race from Sandy Ground; a fun day of rallies, sport meets, family gatherings and picnics.
14th – 17th May: 9th Annual Anguilla Lit Fest
A celebration of ‘books and beaches’, the festival honours Anguilla’s literary heritage and ongoing presence through a packed schedule of talks, workshops and presentations as well as spoken word, hip hop and open mic sessions. The line-up includes New York Times bestselling authors, fresh writing talent, poets, publishers, historians and lecturers as well as the “Pride of Anguilla” home-grown authors and poets.
29th May – June 1st: Anguilla Day Celebrations
The annual holiday celebrations commemorate the beginning of the Anguillian revolution, which took place in May 1967, and is celebrated by a colourful parade and a round-the-island boat race – the island’s national sport.
June – Wellness Month
Promoting the island as a health and wellness destination, visitors can enjoy an abundance of spa packages from a variety of hotels, healthy eating menus at local restaurants, public yoga classes or fitness sessions on the beach and much more!
1st – 9th August – Summer Festival 2020
The two-week-long Summer Festival is a colourful expression of Anguillian culture through dance, song, parades and boat racing. Celebrations include the South Valley Community Street Fair, the Heineken Boat Race at Sandy Ground, Jouvert Morning (Emancipation Day) – which sees people from all over the island dance in the streets at the crack of dawn from The Valley to Sandy Ground – beach parties, the annual Eyes Wide Shut Festival, and the kaleidoscopic Parade of Troupes carnival through The Valley to name a few. The 5th Annual Anguilla Poker Run and the Leeward Islands Calypso Show also add to the fun of this vibrant summer festival.
