2024 is shaping up to be a year to remember in Antigua and Barbuda - in no small part due to a fun and exciting summer. The festivities back home are set to ramp up with the temperature as the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority - in conjunction with its partners across the islands - prepares a packed schedule of activities, special events, and treasured traditions over the months to come. 

Whether you’ve been back recently or are due for a trip, you’ll have plenty of reasons to fly south this summer to Antigua and Barbuda. We break down this summer’s best in food, excursions, festivals, and more below. 

Restaurant Week

There’s no taste like home! Antigua and Barbuda’s Restaurant Week returns this spring, celebrating the diverse and delicious flavours of the islands. Running through May 4-19, Restaurant Week is thankfully a two-week culinary festival, encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore our vibrant food scene. Dozens of participating restaurants - including Sheer Rocks, Rokuni, Foxhouse, and many more - will offer special menus at fixed prices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Get your food passport stamped as you mingle with internationally acclaimed chefs and the best in local culinary talent as we showcase the rich culinary heritage of Antigua and Barbuda.

For more information: www.antiguabarbudarestaurantweek.com

Love Lane

Fall in love with Antigua and Barbuda all over again. A joint venture between the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, the Love Lane program offers a fast track for couples travelling to the destination in honour of Romance Month in June. 

Couples who arrive at V.C. Bird International Airport from June 1 - June 30 may register to benefit from a fast track through immigration.

The Love Lane program is available to couples travelling to Antigua and Barbuda for their wedding, honeymoon, or romantic escape. Registration for Love Lane is available here.

This year’s celebration of Romance Month is set to see the return of other special initiatives like the celebrity destination wedding.

A Summer of Cricket

Our Beloved Windies Cricket Team

Antigua and Barbuda loves its cricket. In June, the excitement around the country’s favourite sport will hit its climax, as Antigua and Barbuda hosts matches from the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. T20 cricket is an exciting, streamlined variant of the classic ruleset that is quickly picking up steam around the world, making Cricket even more action-packed and exciting. 

That isn’t the only landmark event for Cricket enthusiasts this summer, however. The Caribbean Premier League kicks off in August, and while you could catch the action via streaming, there’s nothing like being in the stands and watching it live.

Antigua and Barbuda's Summer Festivals

We know there’s no party quite like an Antigua and Barbuda party. Timing your trip home to coincide with one of the world-famous festivals is always a good reason to visit again

If spring is more your thing, Barbuda’s Caribana (May 16-20) is a can’t-miss cultural festival that celebrates the rich Afro-Caribbean heritage of its community through music, dance, and traditional performances. Soak up the colourful costumes, parades, food, and other activities that showcase the island’s unique history.

In late July, Antigua gets in on the fun with Carnival: reputed to be The Caribbean’s greatest summer festival. Pageants, parades, calypso and soca competitions, and more collide for this lively celebration. 

For the Carnival enthusiasts among you who will be jamming at Toronto Carnival (Caribana) parade on August 3, the party continues! Hop on-board WestJet’s Sunday flight to get down to Antigua to catch Party Monarch, J’ouvert Morning, Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and Last Lap. Then, thanks to WestJet’s new mid-week flight on a Wednesday get back to Canada for the rest of the week or return via Air Canada on Saturday.

Sailing and Fishing

With a reputation for being the “Sailing Capital of The Caribbean”, Antigua and Barbuda has a lot to live up to this summer for captains and anglers alike. Luckily, there is no shortage of aquatic events and plenty of warm, gentle waves to go around. If you’re interested in getting your sea legs this summer, you’ll want to check out:

Antigua Sailing Week is one of the premier yacht racing events in the Caribbean, attracting a diverse fleet of sailboats and sailors from around the world. Held annually between April 27 and May 3 in Antigua, it features a week of competitive racing in various classes and a lively social program. Known for its stunning sailing conditions and festive atmosphere, Antigua Sailing Week is a highlight in the international sailing calendar.

For more information:  www.sailingweek.com

The Annual Antigua & Barbuda Sports Fishing Tournament (May 16-19) is a popular fishing competition held in the twin-island nation, attracting anglers from near and far to test their skills in catching various fish species in the waters surrounding the islands. It's known for its festive atmosphere and prizes awarded for the biggest catches, making it a significant event in the local fishing calendar.

For more information: www.antiguabarbudasportsfishing.com

Flights and Accessibility

Antigua and Barbuda will remain eminently accessible from North America this summer, with consistent and convenient service from Air Canada on Saturdays and WestJet on Wednesdays and Sundays. With WestJet now operating midweek flights over the summer months for the first time, you’ll never have to worry about arriving too late or too early to enjoy any of the incredible events listed above.