Exciting St Maarten Events

January 1
New Year's Day (Celebrations on the Boardwalk)

Every Tuesday night, January through April at 6 pm, Grand Case comes alive with exciting events including a blend of dining, street entertainment, music and fun.  The main street is turned into a pedestrian zone, enabling visitors to stroll at their leisure while enjoying dancing, artisan stands, art galleries and the sidewalk shopping.  All boutiques remain open late.

February 12
Art in the Park (Emilio Wilson Park)

Developed to benefit the upkeep of the park and to promote artists and artisans from 10 pm to 5 pm

February 14
Valentine's Day

February 22
Ash Wednesday

February 29
32nd Annual Heineken Regatta Registration (St. Maarten Yacht Club)

February 29
Welcome back sailors party (St. Maarten Yacht Club)

March 1-4
32nd Annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (Press Conference TBA)

St. Maarten will welcome avid yachters for several days of competitive racing with musical acts and an opening party at Port De Plaisance. The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta spinnaker class will be competing for the Commodores Cup.

March 2
First Day of Racing: The Race Around The Island (Party on the Boardwalk)

March 3
Second Day of Racing (Party in Marigot)

March 4
Final Day of Racing (Party on Kim Sha Beach; Award Ceremony)

March 17
St. Patrick's Day

April 8 Easter Sunday
(stores closed)

April 9 Easter Monday
(stores closed)

April 15-May 3
Dutch Side Carnival 2012

St. Maarten's Festival Village turns into the largest open-air restaurant in the North Eastern Caribbean during Carnival featuring food booths which are open 24 hours a day offering a variety of local and international cuisines as well as a hotspot for all major concerts.  For Carnival 2012, visitors can expect international shows with renowned artists, local cultural shows as well as the colorful and vibrant Grand Carnival Parade which spans two days. Its all about the Carnival and partying until the sun comes up. The bands keep the crowd grooving during the early morning street parade called the 'Jouvert.' The grand parade is full of flamboyantly costumed dancers, music and revelers jamming to the exciting rhythm of Soca and Caypso. The carnival village dishes out spicy island food, more music and partying until the last person leaves.

April 22
National Day of Trees

May 1
Labour Day (Holiday)

May 1
Carnival Parade (Holiday)

May 6
Fish Day (held at the French Cul de Sac and featuring local and international    entertainment, open stands for fish tasting)

May 13
Mother's Day

May 16-18
SMART Regional Tradeshow

TBA
Annual Book Fair

June 17
Father's Day

July 14
Bastille Day French National Holiday (French side)

July 21
GrandCase Fete

Families gather to celebrate their village and pay respect to the abolishment of slavery, the day is celebrated with a religious ceremony followed by the raising of the flag, races and traditional games and musical entertainment.

August Calendar Dates

September 27
World Tourism Day

TBA
Annual Coastal Clean Up

TBA
DJ Outkast Annual Black and White Party

TBA
Emancipation Day Open House at the Museum

November 1-30
Culinary Month

Month long events highlighting the island which is known as the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean."  St. Maarten features more than 365 different restaurants and over a dozen nationalities creating a melting pot of influences and heritage.

TBA
Fete De La Cuisine Event (first week in November)

November 4
Caribbean Tourism Day

November 11
St. Maarten/St. Martin Day (stores closed)

November 20
Santa Claus House

Santa Claus House is a private home situated in cripple gate which opens to the public throughout December.  Cake tastings and homemade punch with other Christmas entertainment is available from 6 to 11 pm.  Admission is free.

December 1
Official opening of Christmas in Philipsburg (Lightning of Christmas tree)

December 1
Miss Caraibes Hibiscus

Santa comes to Philipsburg - Christmas Parade (first week in December)

December 15
Kingdom Day (Holiday)

December 25
Christmas Day (stores closed)

December 26
Boxing Day (Holiday)

Boxing Day Beach Bash - DJ Pauly and the Mix Master Crew present Beach Bash on Mullet Bay Beach

December 26
Dow's Pan in Paradise, folkloric steel pan concert

December 31
New Year's Eve - live entertainment on the Boardwalk and midnight Fireworks