St. Maarten 2025 Carnival
The 2025 edition of St. Maarten Carnival once again showcased the island’s rich cultural heritage through a spectacular display of outstanding costumes, electrifying performances, and artistic brilliance. As is tradition, the Carnival served as the stage for incredible artistic features, with this year’s parade drawing thousands of revellers from across the world. Here’s a recap of some of the top winners and top moments from St. Maarten Carnival 2025.
Elias A. Jones: King of the Band
The King of the Band title was awarded to Elias A. Jones, whose dynamic presence and commanding performance dazzled the audience and judges. Known for his larger-than-life persona, Elias wowed the crowd with his royal costume that embodied the spirit and essence of St. Maarten's Carnival culture. The colourful and intricately designed ensemble, which incorporated elements of gold, rich textures, and reflective materials, represented both the majesty of Carnival and the island’s rich history.
Jones' portrayal was not just about the costume, but about bringing to life the themes of the parade through movement and expression, making his performance an unforgettable highlight of the festivities.
Genesis: Winner of the Adult Individual Costume
The Adult Individual category saw a truly breath-taking performance from Genesis – the winner of the Costume Display segment – designed by the talented Dellan Thomas and Alicia Hart. The costume was a striking fusion of natural beauty and fantasy, showcasing the designers’ ability to merge artistic creativity with cultural symbolism.
“Genesis” was a masterpiece that captured the audience’s attention with its intricate beadwork, feathers, and striking colours. Its ethereal design symbolized the birth of new possibilities, echoing the idea of transformation and rebirth. Dellan Thomas and Alicia Hart were praised for their skilful blending of indigenous and contemporary elements, making Genesis one of the standout pieces of the parade.
Rio Productions “50 Shades of Life” Parade Troupe: Best Adult
Rio Productions had one of the largest troupes on the road during the 2025 Carnival Parades, winning the Best Adult category for the second year running. The much-anticipated parade troupe, Rio Productions, impressed Carnival-goers with its stunning presentation of “50 Shades of Life” – a theme that explored the diverse emotional and cultural essence of the island. Known for its innovative costume designs and energetic performances, the troupe brought this theme to life through vivid colours, exaggerated costumes and powerful energy.
The creative direction behind Rio Productions’ entry highlighted the complexities of human experience – depicting love, joy, struggle and resilience. Each member of the troupe donned unique costumes that represented various "shades" of life, adding depth and complexity to their display. Their energetic choreography and infectious enthusiasm brought the theme to life, making "50 Shades of Life" one of the most talked-about troupes of the Carnival.
Another highlight was the Queen of Carnival pageant, which saw talented young women vying for the prestigious crown. The Band Clash Competition, which is always fierce, was another standout event. The reigning Calypso Monarch, Edsel “The Mighty Yaadfowl” Eusebius, took to the road on Wednesday wearing the customary Calypso crown, which was fittingly topped with feathers. Also worth mentioning is that Former Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs wore a very impressive costume, complete with mask and a spear.
Photo credits to artbyatu.com
