Antigua and Barbuda Art Week returns with culture in color
Antigua and Barbuda's colorful culture will take center stage this fall as Antigua and Barbuda Art Week returns from November 26 to December 2, 2025. Presented by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority with the Department of Culture, the weeklong program will blend traditional art forms with modern creativity, activating venues from Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay to the arrival halls of V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU). Organizers promise live art, fashion, music, dance, and community-driven experiences.
Key points
- Why it matters: A national showcase that spotlights local artists, designers, and performers across high-traffic visitor hubs.
- Travel impact: Free and ticketed events staged at Redcliffe Quay, Heritage Quay, and at the airport provide easy access for visitors.
- What's next: Ticket sales open mid-October, with select paid experiences and limited capacity.
- Opening Night on November 26 features live art, music, and "art under the stars" at Redcliffe Quay.
- A ZOIGE fashion show led by designer Garrett Javan headlines on November 30.
Snapshot
Art Week opens on November 26 with a nighttime celebration at Redcliffe Quay, setting the tone for a destination-wide program of exhibitions, talks, and performances. The campaign theme, "Culture in Colour," threads through activations at Heritage Quay and a curated exhibit inside V.C. Bird International Airport, offering arriving travelers an immediate immersion in local creativity. Highlights include an "Expressions of Art and Fashion" exhibit at the airport from November 27 to December 4, an artisan market at Heritage Quay, and a Canvas and Cocktails paint-and-sip experience with Antigua Cruise Port on November 29. Throughout the week, visitors can join guided Art and Culture Bus Tours to galleries and studios, and hear leading voices discuss "The Future of Caribbean Creativity."
Background
Now in its third edition, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week has quickly grown into a signature cultural moment on the islands' calendar. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority coordinates programming with the Department of Culture and partners including the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, Antigua Cruise Port, Redcliffe Quay, and Hodges Bay Resort and Spa. The schedule balances free community events with limited-capacity, ticketed experiences that go on sale in mid-October. In addition to performances and pop-up installations, the program emphasizes education and sustainability through artist demonstrations, open studios, and a Sustainable Art Workshop hosted by Good Humans 268 Inc. Organizers say the week is designed to showcase the creative side of the twin-island nation alongside its 365 beaches.
Latest developments
Opening Night, airport exhibit, and bus tours anchor an expanded program
The 2025 edition expands to more high-visibility spaces, including the arrival halls of V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU), where the "Expressions of Art and Fashion" exhibit runs November 27 through December 4. Opening Night on November 26 brings live art demonstrations, musical performances, and "art under the stars" to Redcliffe Quay, while Heritage Quay hosts an artisan market and a Canvas and Cocktails paint-and-sip with Antigua Cruise Port on November 29. Art and Culture Bus Tours operate November 28 for students and November 29 for adults, guiding participants to galleries and artisan spaces around Antigua. Fashion steps into the spotlight on November 30 with the ZOIGE fashion show and exhibit led by local designer Garrett Javan. Additional features include an art talk on the future of Caribbean creativity, the Rising Stars student awards, and open studios on December 1 and 2.
Analysis
For travelers, the most compelling aspect of Art Week is its accessibility. Programming meets visitors where they are, from the historic waterfront of Redcliffe Quay to Heritage Quay's shopping district and the arrival concourses at V.C. Bird International Airport. That approach ensures that even short-stay visitors or cruise passengers can engage with the destination's creative scene without complex logistics. The mix of free and paid activations broadens appeal, while timed highlights such as the Opening Night celebration and the November 30 ZOIGE fashion show create clear anchor moments. Educational elements, including artist demonstrations, the student competition, and the sustainability workshop, add depth, signaling a long-term investment in the islands' creative economy. The curated bus tours, meanwhile, disperse spending into neighborhoods and studios beyond the main visitor corridors, a win for community artists and for travelers seeking authentic, small-group experiences. Expect strong photo opportunities, limited-capacity events that may sell out, and increased foot traffic around the Quays during evening showcases.
Final thoughts
If your fall plans include the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week offers an easy, culture-rich add-on to any itinerary. With free exhibits at the airport and lively performances at Redcliffe Quay, you can sample the creative pulse without straying far from core visitor areas. To secure spots for limited events like Canvas and Cocktails or the ZOIGE fashion show, purchase tickets as soon as they go on sale in mid-October. Build in time for the Art and Culture Bus Tours and the open-studio days to meet artists and discover galleries you might otherwise miss. Few weeks better reveal the islands' creative soul than Antigua and Barbuda Art Week.