Opening
Culturama Village opens
The village on the Charlestown waterfront opens for the run of the festival: food, craft, and a stage that runs most nights.
Culturama 53
Nevis Culturama Festival
De Caribbean Greatest Summer Lime
, 13 days in Charlestown, Nevis.
Entries close 30 November
—days
—hours
—minutes
The programme
What happens across the festival
Competition
Miss Culture Swimwear and Talent
The first of the two Miss Culture nights, where the talent round usually decides the room.
Competition
Senior Kaiso Finals
The calypso tent narrows to its finalists. The commentary on the year is the point as much as the singing.
Street
J'ouvert
Before dawn, through Charlestown. Wear what you do not mind losing.
Street
Grand Costume Parade
The troupes take the road for the last day of the festival, masqueraders and all.
Culture
Masquerade and String Band
The oldest thing on the programme, and the reason a lot of people come home for it.
Registration
4 contests open now
Completed forms reach the Secretariat by 30 November 2026. Late entries are not considered.
Women 18 to 28
Closes 30 November 2026
Ms. Culture Queen Pageant
Born female and 18 to 28 years old, and within that age range by 31 March 2027. A citizen of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis by birth or descent, or a non-national resident in the Federation for no less than twelve months. You must be single — not presently married, never previously married, and not living in a common law relationship — never pregnant, and without children. Resident in Nevis for not less than twelve months. Of good character, with no criminal record or convictions in any jurisdiction, and not a top-three finisher in a previous Ms. Culture Queen Pageant.
Send with your form
- A copy of your birth certificate or photo ID
- A full-length swimsuit photo
- A headshot photo
- Proof of residency
Women 18 to 30
Closes 30 November 2026
Ms. Culture Swimwear Contest
Born female and 18 to 30 years old, and within that age range by 31 March 2027. A citizen of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis by birth or descent, or a non-national resident in the Federation for no less than twelve months, with proof of residency provided. Of good character, with no criminal record or convictions in any jurisdiction, and not a top-three finisher in a previous Ms. Culture Swimwear Contest.
Send with your form
- A copy of your birth certificate or photo ID
- A full-length swimsuit photo
- A headshot photo
- Proof of residency
Men 18 to 30
Closes 30 November 2026
Mr. Kool Contest
Born male and between 18 and 30 years old. A citizen of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis by birth or descent, or a non-national resident in the Federation for no less than twelve months before applying, with proof of residency provided. Of good character, with no criminal record or convictions in any jurisdiction — a record discovered later results in automatic disqualification. Readily available to meet all commitments and responsibilities relating to the contest, and not a top-three finisher in a previous Mr. Kool Contest.
Send with your form
- A copy of your birth certificate or photo ID
- A full-length beachwear photo
- A headshot photo
Since 1974
A festival about emancipation, not a beach party
Culturama began as a way to mark emancipation and hold on to the culture that came through it. The masquerade, the string band and the Kaiso tent are older than the festival itself.
What grew around them is a fortnight that pulls Nevisians home from wherever they went. The village fills every evening, the troupes take the road, and the island runs on very little sleep.
The contests are the spine of it. Miss Culture, the Kaiso tents, the Soca and Jingle competitions and the parade all open to anyone who enters, which is why the entry forms matter as much as the ticket sales.
Find us
The Secretariat, and where it all happens
Office
Cotton Ginnery Mall
Charlestown, Nevis
Charlestown, Nevis
Talk to somebody
Office hours
Office hours are drafted. Confirm them with the Secretariat before launch.
| Monday to Thursday | 8am to 4pm |
| Friday | 8am to 3pm |
| Festival fortnight | Extended hours |
Latest
News from the Secretariat
Culturama 53 Slogan Contest
The Culturama Secretariat is currently accepting entries for the Culturama 53 Slogan Competition. Slogans submitted for the Culturama 53 slogan competition should be short,…
Culturama 52 Winning Slogan Selected
Nevis’ Culturama Festival will celebrate its 52nd anniversary from July 23rd to August 4th, 2026, with the winning slogan "Our Heritage, Proud & True: It’s Culturama 52!"
Culturama 2025 Long Jam Is Still On!
The Culturama Secretariat wishes to express sincere appreciation to Kore Entertainment and the Kore Jouvert Troupe for their long standing contribution to the development and success of Culturama’s Jouvert celebration. Since their launch in 2011, the Kore Jouvert Troupe has grown into a beloved staple of Emancipation Monday, and we commend their impact on our cultural calendar.
Culturama 53
Come home for it
22 July to 3 August 2027, in Charlestown. Enter a contest, buy a ticket, or come and stand on the road for the parade.