Creole rhythms and traditions :
an authentic carnival!

On the French side (in Saint-Martin), Carnival takes place in February, around Mardi Gras, with festivities concentrated in Marigot. It includes parades of costumed groups, music competitions, and decorated floats.
One of the most striking moments is the burning of «King Vaval,» a cardboard figure representing the excesses of society, which is burned on Galisbay Beach on Ash Wednesday.
The French side of Carnival retains a strong community and cultural aspect, highlighting local traditions, the Creole language, and themes of identity.

Every Tuesday, Grand Case lights up and celebrates Caribbean life!

At the Tuesdays in Grand Case, the renowned village comes alive with music, flavors, and local creations. From the start of the evening, artisans display their work, food stalls take visitors on a culinary journey, and musicians fill the streets with tropical rhythms that invite strolling and mingling.
This weekly gathering celebrates the island’s culture and creativity. Locals and visitors mingle in a warm atmosphere, enjoying tastings, colorful parades, and musical performances. As the gastronomic capital of the French side, Grand Case extends the culinary experience into a festive, convivial setting full of encounters and smiles.

HEINEKEN REGATA

Every early March, the Heineken Regatta transforms Sint Maarten into a living spectacle where yachts, music and parties mingle in an atmosphere that is competitive, festive and cosmopolitan.

SXM Festival

Every March, Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten pulsates to the rhythm of a unique electronic music festival. For five days and five nights, beaches, villas, and natural settings host house, techno, immersive art, and tropical parties. Featuring international artists and emerging talents, the SXM Festival delivers musical sunsets, pool parties, and intense nights.
A free, vibrant, and unmissable experience.

Two weeks of celebration, Caribbean rhythms and spectacular shows!

On the Dutch side, the Sint Maarten Carnival is the oldest on the island and one of the most spectacular in the Caribbean.
It usually takes place in April, after Easter, for about two weeks, around Philipsburg and the «Carnival Village», featuring concerts, costume contests, parades, and the famous «Jouvert Morning Jump-Up», a morning street party.
Heavily influenced by Trinidad and Tobago, it welcomes artists from all over the Caribbean. More commercial and internationally focused, it attracts many visitors and emphasizes a festive and spectacular atmosphere.

One island, one festival, a thousand flavors to explore!

Every November, the Festival of Gastronomy transforms Saint-Martin into a celebration of flavors, bringing together restaurants, chefs, food trucks, and artisans around special menus, workshops, tastings, and cocktails.
Local chefs and guests showcase the island’s produce, sometimes centered around a star ingredient, like passion fruit in 2025, making each dish a discovery.
Between the Marigot Gastronomy Village, collaborative dinners, and culinary demonstrations, the event unites locals and visitors in a convivial atmosphere where the art of Caribbean hospitality is fully expressed.

In Marigot, the Marina Royale comes alive on certain Thursdays with music, a warm atmosphere, and lively terraces.
Concerts, small performances, and DJ sets offer a convivial moment where local voices blend with tropical rhythms.
These evenings invite locals and visitors alike to simply enjoy the Caribbean charm in an elegant and relaxed setting