Enjoy a unique Vincentian experience at Nine Mornings Festival. Arise at 4 am during the nine mornings before Christmas to attend concerts, story-telling, fun games, and “light-up” around the communities’ venues.
From December 16 to December 24, 2024, the sun tiptoes over the horizon, heralding the start of the National Nine Mornings Festival in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. For nine consecutive days leading up to Christmas, the island pulses with a vibrant energy. Locals rise before dawn, their breath visible in the crisp morning air, as they gather for a celebration that bridges tradition and modernity. The festival weaves a tapestry of joy and togetherness, combining the rhythmic beat of steel drums echoing through narrow streets with the laughter of children chasing each other in impromptu races.
And oh, the food! Fragrant clouds of cinnamon and nutmeg drift from makeshift stalls, where vendors serve up warm coconut turnovers, their flaky crusts melting in your mouth. The aroma of black cake, rich with rum-soaked fruits, wafts through the air, tempting even the most disciplined taste buds. Families share platters of saltfish and bakes, the crispy dough encasing tender fish seasoned to perfection. And let’s not forget the sorrel, that crimson elixir made from hibiscus petals, sweetened just right to balance the festive feasting.
As the days shorten and the nights lengthen, the spirit of community ignites, and hearts warm against the chill. It’s a time when old stories are retold, new friendships are forged, and the promise of Christmas twinkles like a thousand stars in the tropical sky. And what’s a celebration without music? The island reverberates with calypso rhythms, reggae beats, and the soulful strains of the steel pan, each note carrying the weight of tradition and the joy of the present.
Click here to learn more or to partake in the Nine Mornings Festival.
