St. John, Virgin Islands Events
A hill race, a swim between beaches, park days and a Fourth of July celebration.
Events on St. John, Virgin Islands are small, local and often tied to the national park. The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park run a gala, Earth Day activities, a swim and a beach cleanup through the year, and the park has revived its Folklife Festival celebrating island traditions.
The biggest party is the St. John Celebration, the island’s carnival season, which builds through late June to Emancipation Day on July 3 and a parade and fireworks on the Fourth of July. Ferries and rooms fill up that week, so plan ahead.
Annual Festivals and Events
The main fundraising evening for the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.
An eight-mile run and walk over the island’s steep hills from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay.
A park-run celebration of Virgin Islands music, crafts, food and traditions, revived in 2026.
Environmental activities and volunteer projects organized by the Friends of the park.
An open-water swim along the North Shore with several distances, a fundraiser for the park.
The island’s carnival season, with pageants, food fairs, J’ouvert, a parade and Fourth of July fireworks.
Beach cleanups and ocean programs organized by the Friends of the park.
A fundraiser in which villa owners donate stays to support the national park.
Dates move from year to year — confirm on the organizer’s site before you plan around an event.
Official Event Calendars
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Get free trip quotes »St. John Events — FAQ
When is the St. John Celebration?
It usually builds from late June to its peak on July 3, Emancipation Day, and July 4, with J’ouvert, a parade and fireworks in Cruz Bay.
Can visitors run 8 Tuff Miles?
Yes. Many entrants fly in for it, and walkers are welcome. Registration usually opens months ahead on the race site.