**St. John’s, Antigua** – The highly anticipated **[Antigua Carnival 2025](https://antiguanewsroom.com/the-nations-biggest-cultural-celebration-antigua-carnival-2025-the-official-launch-is-set-and-you-are-invited/)** was officially launched under the theme **“It’s a Vibe”** , with Minister of Festivals **Daryll Matthew** making several key announcements, including the much-welcomed return of the **dual-category format for the[Party Monarch competition](https://antiguanewsroom.com/march-14-is-registration-deadline-for-queen-of-carnival-2025/)**.
Speaking to an energetic crowd, Minister Matthew confirmed that **both Jumpy and Groovy Monarch titles will be crowned once again** , restoring a format beloved by Soca artists and fans.
**“They asked me to say to you that… the Party Monarch competition will be reverting to the format that you love. Yeah, you can give them a plan—both the Jumpy and the Groovy. So we’ll be crowning two monarchs again,”** he declared to cheers from the audience.
The return to this format marks a shift from last year, where the competition had been combined into a single-category showdown. This change is expected to encourage more participation from Soca artists and create a **more thrilling competition** that showcases both the high-energy power of Jumpy Soca and the smooth, melodic vibes of Groovy Soca.
In addition to the Party Monarch announcement, Minister Matthew also revealed that the **Carnival 2025 event schedule has been expanded** , with more pre-festival activities leading up to the official celebrations in July and August.
**“I think most of you have a little flyer in your hand where you can see the official Carnival events and the list of pre-activities,”** he told the audience.
Another major change is the **relocation of Tent City** , which hosts the festival’s **Calypso and Soca tents**. While details on the new venue were not disclosed, Matthew assured the public that the move is aimed at enhancing the overall Carnival experience.
