The streets of Castries exploded with color, rhythm, and revelry on Carnival Monday, marking the energetic kickoff of Lucian Carnival 2025, one of the Caribbean’s most beloved cultural celebrations.
With thousands of revellers masquerading through the streets and international celebrities soaking up the vibes, Saint Lucia has officially set the tone for a festival “for the books.”
Among those joining in the festivities were Angela Simmons, Lance Gross, and Chloe Bailey, each spotted on the road fully immersed in the Carnival spirit. Simmons, taking to Instagram, gushed that “St. Lucia Carnival is one for the books!” while actor Lance Gross shared: “Believe all the hype! It’s amazing! St Lucia Carnival for the win!”
Chloe Bailey, now marking her second consecutive year at Lucian Carnival, also appeared road-ready and radiant, proving that this small island’s Carnival has become a staple on the international scene.
Monday’s Parade of the Bands saw over 7,000 revellers take to the streets of Castries, while thousands more lined the sidewalks to witness the dazzling spectacle. Of the nine costumed bands that crossed the judging points, two clear crowd favorites emerged.
Xuvo Carnival Band, led by Lamar Sifflet, wowed onlookers with their ethereal theme “Isle of Angels,” commanding the road with 2,300 revellers in full feathered splendor. While Just 4 Fun Carnival Band, celebrating its 25th anniversary, came strong with “25 Years of MAS,” featuring 2,000 revellers and proving why it remains one of the island’s most enduring and iconic bands. Under the leadership of Veil Tobiere, the band’s milestone year was met with cheers and admiration.
Other bands also lit up the streets with flair; Tribe of Twel paid homage to tradition with Bel Wad ek Soulye, Xpressions Carnival Band, now in its third year, infused folkloric motifs in Folklore. Fuzion Mas, Island Tribe, Royalites Xtreme, Phoenix, and Legends Carnival Band all added diverse elements of pageantry and performance. Newcomer Nexus, though not officially listed on Monday’s lineup, made a surprise appearance and was well received by the crowd.
The pulsating soundtrack of the day kept hips swaying and flags waving from sunrise to sunset. The road was alive with 2025’s biggest soca anthems in St. Lucia, including: Ezra D’Funmachine’s Miserable, Dezral and Jardel’s Car, Calto’s I Cry, Remote’s Wire Oh, Ricky T and Hollywood HP’s Freakout, Ti Black and Imran Nerdy’s We Di Vibes
These hits echoed through Castries, fueling the joy of masqueraders and ensuring non-stop action from start to finish.
As Carnival Tuesday promises even larger crowds and more breathtaking moments, all eyes are now on the upcoming announcements for Band of the Year, Road March Champion, and other highly anticipated titles, which will be revealed on Wednesday by the Carnival Planning and Management Committee.
If Carnival Monday was any indication, Lucian Carnival 2025 is already a resounding success.
