New Year's Day, celebrated on January 1st, is a public holiday in Antigua and Barbuda just as it is in many countries around the world. It is a day marked to usher in the new year, wave goodbye to the old, and welcome the vast possibilities that lie ahead. The occurrence of this holiday follows the Julian Calendar, which marks January 1st as the start of the new year.
On this day, locals and visitors alike in Antigua and Barbuda participate in various festivities. From late-night parties on New Year's Eve that continue until the crack of dawn on New Year's Day to family gatherings and feasts at home, there are numerous ways people celebrate. Many locals also attend church services to express gratitude for the start of a new year and pray for prosperity and wellbeing for the forthcoming year.
Another significant part of New Year's Day in Antigua and Barbuda is the start of their annual Carnival. The carnival, which celebrates emancipation, begins with a parade on New Year's Day and continues with various events spread throughout the year. Participants dress in colorful costumes and take part in dance competitions, live music, and street parades, therefore, making New Year's Day in Antigua and Barbuda a truly unique and vibrant holiday experience.