Thanksgiving Jump Up came alive on Friday night as visitors, vendors, entertainers, and more brought culture and festive energy to Christiansted.

From the early evening, crowds filled Company Street, King Street, and the Christiansted boardwalk as vendors, musicians, and performers set up along the blocked streets. Local shops and restaurants extended their hours, offering holiday specials and welcoming a steady flow of residents and visitors eager to experience one of the island’s most cherished community events.

Jump Up usually happens quarterly, but the Thanksgiving edition is especially meaningful. It brings festive lights, holiday decorations, special shopping deals, extended business hours, moko jumbies, steel pan music, delicious food, and an overall atmosphere of good vibes.

One of the most anticipated sights was the towering moko jumbies who made their way through Christiansted shortly after sunset. Dressed in vibrant costumes and moving rhythmically on tall stilts, the cultural guardians drew cheers from children and adults alike, continuing a tradition deeply rooted in Virgin Islands heritage.

Food vendors lined the streets with the familiar aroma of local dishes, including pates, rotis, conch fritters, and freshly made johnny cakes. Handmade jewelry, artwork, soaps, and holiday-themed gifts filled tables throughout the event, giving artisans and small businesses a welcome boost as the shopping season begins.

Beyond the entertainment, Jump Up attendee Alex George described Holiday Jump Up as a moment of togetherness and a chance for the community to reunite after Thanksgiving gatherings while reconnecting ahead of the busy festival months. Families with young children, longtime residents, newcomers, and tourists all mingled in the relaxed and festive atmosphere.

The Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association, which organizes the quarterly event, noted that Holiday Jump Up consistently draws one of the largest crowds of the year. With cooler weather, returning visitors, and growing holiday spirit, the event serves as a bridge between Thanksgiving and the start of Crucian Christmas traditions.