Jump Up on St. Croix
The term "jump up" literally means "to dance" in the Caribbean. Jump Up on St. Croix is a party in Christiansted's streets. It began as a method to promote the economy and convey joy to the island's residents, but it has now evolved into one of St. Croix's most popular social events among locals and visitors alike. Christiansted comes alive with music, dancing, food, drinks, street sellers, cultural dancers, shopping, steel pans, fire dancers, and the legendary Mocko Jumbies. There is no doubt that this is one of the most famous festivals in the Virgin Islands.
On Jump Up night, Christiansted's streets, boardwalk, and restaurants are packed with people taking in the sights and sounds, sipping local beverages, and sampling St. Croix's delectable cuisine. Street vendors sell local art and wares, and many retail businesses stay open late. The Mocko Jumbies are another popular choice. These stilt dancers mock the evil spirits, also known as 'jumbies,' to scare them away, according to an old African cultural tradition. The Mocko Jumbies are not to be missed; on six-foot stilts, they dance up and down the streets to music. Jump Up is held four times a year on a Friday night, each with a different theme. Enjoy Jump Up's street carnival atmosphere. This is how Christiansted should be savored.
Despite the fact that Christiansted hosts four vibrant Jump Up festivals each year, none is more famous than the St Croix community's annual Valentine's Day spectacle of arts, crafts, food, and mythological mocko jumbies clad in colorful silks on stilts. During this lively Valentine's Day event, the sounds of outdoor vendors and local musicians fill the air.
When:
- February – on the Friday closest to Valentine’s Day
- May – on the first Friday of May
- July – on the Friday closest to Alexander Hamilton Day
- November – on the Friday after Thanksgiving
