Division of Festivals Reverts Crucian Christmas Festival Opening to Dec. 26th Amidst Community Pushback

ST. CROIX – Following fervent pushback from the St. Croix community, the Division of Festivals has announced that the opening date for the Crucian Christmas Festival will revert back to December 26th, a traditional date cherished by locals.

Shamari Haynes, Division of Festivals assistant director for the St. Croix District, emphasized the importance of community feedback in the decision-making process, stating, “Like every other carnival celebration, St. Croix Crucian Christmas Festival planning is a collaborative effort between the Division of Festivals and local committee members. No single person determines the specifics of the celebration including timeline, artists, and schedule. We hear the Crucian community and have shifted specific events to best align with the cultural significance of the traditional Crucian Christmas Festival dates."

Previously, the festivities were slated to commence on January 1, 2024. This proposed change took many Crucians by surprise, given the long-standing tradition of kicking off the Festival Village on December 26th, the day after Christmas. Officials from the Division of Festivals had justified the shift as a strategy to enhance the marketability of the territory's festivals, even as other locations like St. Thomas and St. John were seeing reduced festival days.

However, this rationale found little resonance with the Crucians. The opposition to the January 1st start date surged on social media platforms. With the persistent criticism showing no signs of abating, the decision to revert to the original date is expected to appease concerned locals.