Festivals and Events
Take part in a celebration
Barbados is an island retreat where the water is clear, the sand is warm and the sun is always shining. It’s a place where visitors can expect to find peace and tranquility, but it is also a place where excitement and celebration abound.
As famous as Barbados is for its relaxed atmosphere, it is also famous for its colorful festivals and events. No matter what time of year you visit the island, there will certainly be some type of celebration taking place.
Music is important to Barbadians and the annual Jazz Festival is one of the more popular events on the island. It draws famous musicians from across the island and around the world, including Macy Gray, Alicia Keys and Anita Baker. The world famous event is spread out over a week in January, and performances take place at indoor and outdoor venues.
The oldest and most famous event by far in Barbados is the Crop Over Festival. This five-week celebration dates back to the late 1700s and was traditionally held to celebrate the end of the sugar season. Nowadays, the festival features food, music, artistic demonstrations, crafts and a parade.
The Congaline Carnival is another popular entertainment festival that has occurred annually in Barbados since 1994. It features everything from comedy acts to diverse musical performances. Much of the entertainment takes place at the St. Lawrence Gap. Almost as famous as the music festivals in Barbados is the annual fish festival that occurs on the south coast. Visitors can sample delicious local fare, including fish cakes and fried fish, while listening to reggae music performed by local musicians.
Barbados is a regular hot spot for both local and international sporting events. From surfing to sailing, athletes converge on the island quite often to test their skills where weather conditions are virtually always ideal. In 2007, Barbados was the site for the World Cup of Cricket, and teams from as far away as Bangladesh traveled to the island to compete at the Kensington Oval. Barbados is also the site of the PGA European Seniors Tour.
