Welcome to St. Croix, a Caribbean island renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant festivities. From colorful carnivals to religious celebrations, St. Croix offers a diverse array of special holidays that showcase its unique spirit and traditions. Join us as we explore the captivating world of St. Croix’s celebrations, where each event is a testament to the island’s rich history and warm hospitality.
January 6th is Three Kings Day and is known for St. Croix’s heritage and culture. Many local people on the island have a unique way of celebrating this special holiday.
The community gathers together on this day as part of the carnival festivities. People come to see the children’s parade, where three kings walk dressed in royal garments, and baby Jesus is carried in a basket by his parents. The children’s parade begins with costumes in festive colors.
At home celebrations, some people follow traditional customs. Families bake a special crown bread known as Rosca de Reyes, symbolizing crown jewels and the religious significance behind the biblical stories of baby Jesus. Other families make Arroz con dulce, a sweet rice porridge. Many people prepare extravagant dishes, served on royal tablecloths, laid out on the table like a king’s palace. Cooking traditional recipes is considered a gift to baby Jesus.
A tradition of this holiday involves some native people leaving a bowl of water and a stack of hay at their front door. The water is a tribute to the three kings who traveled a long way to bless baby Jesus with gifts, while the hay is for the donkeys that the kings rode. In honor of this true story, long before Christmas trees were introduced, children would rush out of bed in the morning on Three Kings Day to see what gifts the kings had left for them. In reality, parents would arrange the gifts for their children to discover. This traditional celebration on St. Croix acknowledges the blessings of baby Jesus, a practice still followed by most locals. To learn more about the story of the three Kings and baby Jesus, visit a nearby church and read the stories from the Bible.
March 31st, Transfer Day, commemorates the exchange, also known as the transfer, of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) from Denmark to the United States in 1917. Although the island had been under the control of various countries, Denmark was the last to govern St. Croix since 1754. This transfer occurred due to the construction of the Panama Canal, which was funded by Denmark. Additionally, a war between Germany and Denmark resulted in a financial strain on Denmark, leading to the decision to transfer the Virgin Islands to the United States. The three islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John—are now collectively known as the United States Virgin Islands. It is a day to celebrate this historical event.
The holiday of Easter Sunday, typically observed in April, is celebrated on March 31st, 2024 due to the leap year. The traditional holiday on St. Croix spans from March 27th to April 1st. To find yearly calendar dates for Easter Sunday, refer to the yearly calendar.
Easter Sunday commemorates the biblical story of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, following his crucifixion by the Romans.
The traditional holidays surrounding Easter Sunday include:
- Ash Wednesday, is a day of repentance and confession of sins.
- Holy Thursday, marking Jesus’ last supper and his capture by Roman authorities. It is a day of prayer and gratitude.
- Good Friday, commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, is traditionally observed with fasting and prayer.
- Keeping the Sabbath Holy on Saturday, a day of rest, prayer, and fasting.
- Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and his message of spreading the gospel. Some traditional symbols include bunny rabbits, flowers, candles, and decorated eggs, with Easter egg hunts being a popular activity for children.
- Easter Monday is a day to celebrate life after death and to express gratitude through prayer.
On July 3rd, Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery in the Danish West Indies in 1848. The school’s marching band will parade down the street to the Emancipation Garden or park, where the community gathers to listen and cheer. Government officials will speak about the history and significance of Emancipation Day, accompanied by instrumental music, singing, poetry, and theater performances as they express their appreciation for this historic occasion.
The fourth Monday of every July serves as a reminder of Hurricane Supplication Day, a time for prayers to ward off hurricanes. Traditionally, islanders blow air from their mouths, filling their cheeks and releasing it toward the storms. While this practice is believed to be effective with prayers, it’s not guaranteed. Nonetheless, the effort brings a sense of relief when the storm either doesn’t form or bypasses our beautiful island of St. Croix. It’s also a practical day to prepare and secure important items and documents.
The second Monday in October of every year marks Puerto Rico Friendship Day, commemorating the establishment of relations between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in 1964. It’s a wonderful occasion to celebrate the contributions of Puerto Ricans and the enduring friendship between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
On October 25th, Hurricane Thanksgiving is observed, a day to give thanks for being spared from hurricanes.
November 1st is Bull and Bread Day, also known as Liberty Day, honoring David Hamilton Jackson, a labor rights leader born on St. Croix in 1884 and died in 1946.
December 26th is Boxing Day, a celebration for fans and families who enjoy boxing matches. In the ring, punches fly—left, right, uppercut, TKO—as cheers erupt for the winner. It’s a day filled with excitement, food, drinks, and fun for all.
St. Croix’s unique cultural celebrations reflect its rich heritage and community spirit. From Emancipation Day to Puerto Rico Friendship Day and Bull and Bread Day, each event honors history and local heroes like David Hamilton Jackson. These traditions showcase resilience, unity, and pride, making St. Croix a vibrant and culturally significant island.