Carnival 2026: a Mardi Gras parade with Caribbean influences

For several months now, the local government has been demonstrating its desire to infuse every cultural event with a local and traditional touch. It goes without saying that the big Mardi Gras parade could not escape this trend. Bettina Cointre, chair of the culture committee, confirms the local government's intention to "refocus" the event on a more traditional path. Or, more broadly, on regional themes. "The floats must feature Caribbean music," says Bettina Cointre. As a result, so-called "electro" floats will not be included in this year's parade. However, the festival should not suffer as a result, even if it means five floats will be excluded from the parade. This is no small matter for the Saint Barthélemy parade. It is a consequence of the excitement caused by the DJ party organized during the firefighters' ball, which was certainly not traditional, but was a popular success with the island's youth.
In any case, eight floats are announced in the parade organized jointly by the Saint Barth Carnival Committee and the Collectivité. The Committee's float, of course, will have the honor of carrying King Vaval along the entire route.
Spectators lining the streets of Gustavia will also be able to see the floats and dancers from The Youngz, Ascco, Ti Ouana Salsa, the Golden Team, the Caribbean Girls, the Pineapple Girls, and finally, NIB and the Wake Up Girls. La Pointe en Mouvement will not be participating.

A "competition" stage in front of a jury
The parade route remains virtually the same as in previous years. In particular, there will be three food and drink stands set up under the Pif Paf kiosk. The meeting point and departure point for the groups will be at the commercial port quay at 2 p.m. The groups and their floats will then parade in single file through the streets of Gustavia to La Pointe before returning to the commercial port quay via Rue De Gaulle. However, the organizers have come up with something new.
After going up Rue de la République, the groups will turn towards the Quai du Général de Gaulle, in front of the harbor master's office. There, an important stage of the parade awaits the dancers. During this stop, a space will be reserved for choreography, under the watchful eye of a jury. The jury will have the difficult task of awarding a prize for the best choreography, another for the most beautiful costumes, and a third for the most successful float. There is no doubt that the groups will be eager to perform well in this carnival competition.
After the parade, the party will obviously not end. An "after" carnival is planned on the Quai du Général de Gaulle, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event will be hosted by DJs Mæstro, Big Boss, and El Coch. A bar will be run by the parents' association (Apel) of the Mireille Choisy middle school.

An "electro" event announced
As for fans of music other than Caribbean music, who have already expressed their disappointment at not being able to gather behind one of the five "electro" floats usually featured in the parade but excluded from the party, the Carnival Committee wanted to send them a message. In a statement posted online, the Committee explains that "the Collectivité of Saint-Barthélemy is currently working on setting up an event to replace it, in collaboration with the Odyssey Association and the Zion Colibri Association." The event, it is specified, will be independent of the carnival and will be "an opportunity to discover new festive and creative initiatives in the territory."
Finally, it should be noted that, as with the concert on January 31, the Collectivité has called on presenter Himuss to host the parade.