NELSONS DOCKYARD NATIONAL PARK

Christmas in Antigua just wouldn’t be Christmas without the annual Nelson’s Dockyard Champagne party.  Whether you’re based in Antigua, on vacation in one of the many accommodation options throughout the island or visiting on a yacht, Nelson’s Dockyard is where it’s all happening on Christmas Day.

The Dockyard begins coming to life shortly before noon as people gradually arrive and the area around the capstans begins to fill up.  When the live music by Hygh Tempa begins playing around noon, more and more people gravitate towards the party and spread out around the Dockyard.  Tradition dictates that people show up dressed in some form of Christmas cheer – whether it’s green shorts and a red shirt, reindeer’s antlers, a musical tie or a full Santa suit, everyone makes an effort to dress for the occasion, even the dogs in attendance are happy to parade in their Christmas get-up.

But a dinghy filled with endless bottles of champagne smothered in ice, from the inexpensive variety to the real stuff, is the big attraction of the day.  Organised by the Hourglass Foundation, all proceeds from the sale of the delicious bubbly go to charity, particularly fitting on the occasion of Christmas.  If you can’t get there early you can relax in the knowledge that the dinghy will be restocked throughout the afternoon with endless cases of a wide variety of champagnes so you won’t miss out.  There is even orange juice on sale for those who want to dilute the bubbly in an effort to make it to Christmas dinner!

If you’re thinking of all those friends and acquaintances whom you haven’t seen all year, you can certainly catch up with everyone you know on Christmas Day in the Dockyard.  The party goes on until the last man or woman is left standing so even if you only have an hour or two, you won’t want to miss this most unique way to celebrate Christmas.

See you on Christmas Day!!