2019 J'Ouvert Morning on St. Croix. Photo Credit: REEMY-REEMZ PHOTOGRAPH | V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — With the territory approaching the height of the holiday and Crucian Christmas Festival season, local courts and law enforcement agencies have released updated schedules and advisories outlining court closures, administrative leave days, and traffic restrictions tied to year-end observances and major public events.
The Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands has issued a revised holiday schedule detailing closures and administrative leave periods extending through early 2026. According to Administrator of Courts Regina deChabert Petersen, the schedule applies to both the Supreme Court and Superior Court and is intended to guide the public and members of the Virgin Islands Bar during the remainder of the calendar year and the upcoming festival season.
Under the revised schedule, the Judicial Branch observed full closures on Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27. On Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving, employees were granted administrative leave from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Courts will also close on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and Boxing Day, Dec. 26. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, is recognized as a holiday observance day.
Additional administrative leave has been granted on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with full court closure on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026. Courts will again grant administrative leave on Jan. 2, 2026, in observance of the Crucian Christmas Festival Children’s Parade, followed by full closures for Three Kings Day on Jan. 6, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, and Presidents Day on Feb. 16.
Despite these closures and leave periods, the Judicial Branch emphasized that court operations will continue to accept filings through approved methods. Electronic filing systems will remain available for both the Supreme and Superior Courts, and secured lockboxes will be accessible at designated court facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix for non-electronic submissions. Members of the bar and self-represented litigants are also reminded that filings may be submitted through the Judiciary’s unified e-filing portal.
In a separate announcement tied directly to festival activity on St. Croix, the V.I. Police Department has issued a traffic advisory outlining parking restrictions for the Festival J’ouvert and Food Fair scheduled for Dec. 31, 2025.
According to VIPD, multiple streets in Frederiksted will be subject to strict no-parking enforcement from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the event. Market Street, in the area of Legendz Lounge and FirstBank, will be restricted to permitted food fair vendors displaying official parking permits. A single exception will be made for the vendor authorized to operate at the corner of King Street and Market Street during J’ouvert.
Similar restrictions will apply on Customs House Street between Queen Street and King Street, stretching from the Economic Development Authority building toward Sunrise Laundry. Strand Street will also be restricted from the intersection with King Cross Street near the Frederiksted Hotel to the Ann Abraham Marine Facility. In that corridor, only taxis will be allowed to park, and only on the left side facing north.
VIPD has warned that officers will maintain a strong presence throughout the event to ensure compliance. Vehicles found in violation of the posted restrictions will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. The department thanked the public for its cooperation and extended wishes for a safe and joyful Crucian Christmas Festival season.
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