The Major Festivals of Barbados

Barbados is a beautiful island in the eastern Caribbean. It is well known for its lovely beaches, warm hospitality, peaceful atmosphere and highly educated people. Over the years, Barbados has established itself as a premier location for a variety of festivals that tourists and nationals find most enjoyable. These festivals provide individuals with a wide variety of experiences mixed with an indigenous flavor that cannot be matched elsewhere. They give the visitor an exciting and relaxing opportunity to get a mouth-watering taste of the exotic culture the island has to offer.

Crop Over Festival

Crop Over festival is by far the largest and most important festival in Barbados. It lasts for approximately five weeks commencing in July and ending on the first Monday of August. The festival celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest in Barbados.

The festival highlights the culture, color, heritage, innovation and exuberance of the local people. These are expressed through calypso, tuk, ring band and steel pan music. The local rum, the friendly people and wonderful weather all combine to make this festival the best in the Caribbean.

The festival actually began in the 1940's but was suspended during the war years. It was restarted in 1974 and has since developed to become the premier festival in Barbados.

Events at the festival include

1. A ceremony in which the sugar cane harvest is officially closed and the most productive male and female sugar workers are crowned King and Queen of the crop.
2. A colorful procession of persons in costumes and decorated vehicles
3. Performances by local entertainers showcasing their most recent works
4. Parties lasting from 11.30 pm to daybreak.
5. A carnival parade of children
6. A calypso contest.
7. A large street fair in the capital city of Bridgetown.

The high point of the festival is Grand Koodoment, which includes the parade and judging of costumed bands. Band members are dressed in beautiful and innovative costumes as they dance to the sounds of the latest calypsos. Many visitors come to Barbados just to enjoy Grand Koodoment.

Holetown Festival

Holetown festival commemorates the anniversary of the landing of the first English settlers in Holetown in 1627.

The festival is thirty-three years old and is held for one week each year in mid-February. The opening ceremony takes place at the Holetown Monument. The monument itself was erected in commemoration of the first settlers to the island.

The festival highlights Barbadian art, craft, culture and history. Included are fashion shows, sporting events, concerts, and exhibitions. The festival climaxes with a street fair that hundreds of Barbadian vendors selling food, plants, clothing, craft and offering their various services to the public. Thousands of Barbadians and visitors converge at Holetown to sample all that the local culture has to offer.

Barbados Gospelfest

Barbados Gospelfest began in 1993. It was initiated by the Barbados Tourist Board and was the brainchild of the then Minister of Tourism, Rev. Wesley Hall.

Every year during the month of May, many international, regional and local gospel artistes participate in the festival. Over the past years, artistes like Donnie Mc Clurkin, Kirk Franklin, Alvin Slaughter, Candi Stanton and the like have performed at the festival. In addition to music, dance and mime have been included in the festival's agenda.

Gospelfest attracts gospel lovers from around the world. The festival is also a hit with thousands of church-going Barbadians.

Oistins Fish Festival

Oistins is a fishing town in the south of the island where the signing of the charter of Barbados occurred. This town hosts this festival in commemoration of the signing of that charter and also to honour fisher folk in Oistins who have made valuable contributions to the island's fishing industry.

This annual festival runs for a week and culminates on Easter weekend. Persons attending the festival can enjoy a variety of local delicacies, entertainment, local craft and music. The main attractions are the fish boning and the climb-grease-pole contests. Boat racing and crab racing are also featured at this festival.

Holders Season

Holders Season is a performing arts festival featuring a variety of outstanding performances. The venue is the grounds of the elegant, historic Holder's Plantation House in the western parish of St. James. The festival is an annual one, commencing in March and lasting for four weeks.

Holders Season is known for its delightful offerings of music, theatre and comedy. Music lovers are treated to several genres - classical, jazz, African blues, opera and Latin guitar music.

Internationally renowned artistes as well as local groups are invited to perform at this festival.

National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts (NIFCA)

The National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts (NIFCA) was introduced in the year 1973 to celebrate Barbados' independence from Britain. The festival showcases the creative genius of the island's people in drama, dance, music, culinary arts, visual arts, photography, and craft. Performances and exhibits are judged and prizes awarded for outstanding work.

Persons of all ages qualify to perform or exhibit their work at the festival. Schools and community groups as well as individuals are encouraged to participate in the festival. The festival lasts from mid-October to mid-November. It ends with a Gala, which features the work of the finalists in the competition.

Barbados Jazz Festival

The Barbados Jazz festival is a weeklong music celebration that occurs in early January. It seeks to attract world-class jazz artistes to the island to perform at its many events. Music ranges from R&B to African rhythms as well as pure jazz. The week's events are performed at various locations around the island.

Barbados Reggae Festival

This is another music festival lasting for three days. It is a popular festival for reggae lovers. Artistes from the region and abroad perform at this festival. It comes off in the month of April. The highlight of this festival is an event called Reggae On The Hill. This event is held outdoors at the historic Farley Hill Park and is attended by large numbers of reggae lovers.

Celtic Festival

The Celtic festival celebrates the cultures of the Welsh, Irish and Scottish in Barbados. The festival comprises two weeks of cultural music and folk dance. Folk singers and cultural performers from Wales, Scotland and Ireland visit the island every year to share their culture. The festival comes off during the month of May.

The festivals of Barbados are spread throughout the year and depending on your personal taste, there is always something available to scintillate your appetite and keep you coming for more.