Enjoy the Festivities in Barbados
2020 Barbados Carnival, Festival & Events Calendar:
The Barbados Independent Film Festival runs from January 14 to 19 and features story-driven films from around the world including the work of emerging, independent filmmakers. This year’s “Shorts On The Beach” series showcases Environmental and Ocean themed productions. Food and rum tastings accompany the films.
Naniki Barbados Music Festival will be held January 18th and 19th. Musicians from the Caribbean and around the world will have you swaying to jazz, reggae and calypso music.
The Barbados Horticultural Society’s annual Flower and Garden Show will be held on January 25 and 26 in Christ Church. Besides award-winning plants and gardens, you can visit the new wine bar, vendors, demonstrations and more!
The Holetown Festival, celebrating the first English settlement of Barbados, happens February 16 through 23. Entertainment includes local music and folk dancing. There will also be after concert ‘Limes’, a Street Fair and Vintage/Classic Car Parade, along with a Road Walk and Run.
Vujaday Music Festival happens April 1 to 5 and features house and techno music spun by local fan favourites as well as internationally renowned DJs.
A Barbados Easter classic, the Oistins Fish-Fry Festival runs from April 5 to 13. Celebrate the local fishing industry as the sounds of calypso and reggae music fill the air – Of course, the main attraction is the food and beverage stalls, as well as displays of local arts and crafts.
Barbados Reggae Festival will be held from April 24 to 28 with four shows: Vintage Reggae Show & Dance; Reggae Party Cruise; Reggae on the Hill; and Reggae Beach Party!
The Barbados Celtic Festival happens May 19 through 24. This music and food festival celebrates the connection between Barbados and Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Bring your pipes or drums and join the Massed Bands parade – Drum Majors and Highland Dancers are also welcome.
Barbados Carnival, known as Crop Over is the island’s most popular festival. Traditionally celebrating the annual sugar cane harvest, the festival spans twelve weeks starting in May, culminating on August 4 with Grand Kadooment Day! The festivities include:
- Opening Gala with the crowning of the King and Queen of the Festival
- Cohobblopot Carnival-like show
- Calypso Competitions include – Party Monarch, Sweet Soca Monarch, Road March Monarch and Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch
- Soca competition
- Kiddies Kadooment Parade
- Grand Kadooment Day – Featuring a Carnival Parade
The Bridgetown Market will be packed with food, beverage as well as local arts & crafts stalls. The festival also includes folk concerts as well as art & photographic exhibitions.
The Barbados Food and Rum Festival takes place October 29 to November 1 with a series of culinary and beverage experiences. More than a dozen local and internationally acclaimed chefs & mixologists create gastronomic art to enjoy. There’s also plenty of live music!
Barbados Sailing, Fishing, Golf and other Major Sporting Events
Sailing is huge in Barbados, so the Mount Gay Round Barbados Races and events being held January 18 through 23 is a must-see! January 21’s race will circumnavigate the island counter-clockwise or “Southabout”. West Coast Races take place on January 18 and 19.
The Barbados Yacht Club holds the Old Brigand Rum Regatta on March 21 & 22. There’s plenty of keelboat racing as well as kitesurfing competitions to enjoy!
As Barbados is one of the best windsurfing destinations in the Caribbean, it’s no surprise that the Waterman Festival is so popular. Along with windsurfing, there are also competitions and events showcasing kite surfing, SUP as well as surfing.
For world calibre surfing, the Men’s Barbados Surf Pro competition will be held March 17 through 22 at the “Soup Bowl” in Bathsheba
Horse racing is another popular sporting event in Barbados. The Sandy Lane Gold Cup takes place on March 7 at Bridgetown’s Garrison Savannah. Top local and international jockeys race the 1800m turf course!
There’s something for everyone at the Barbados International Fishing Tournament, planned for April 14 to 18. Over two dozens boats with hundreds of anglers typically partake. The tournament, part of the Southern Caribbean Billfish Circuit, include festivities such as parties, live music, a fashion show, wine tasting, pig roast and a fish fry!
As one of the top Caribbean Golf destinations, you can’t miss the Sir Garry Sobers Festival of Golf from April 30 to May 2. Tournaments take place at the Royal Westmoreland, the Country Club at Sandy Lane as well as the Barbados Golf Club.
Car racing enthusiasts will enjoy the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International – The Sol Rally Barbados and Flow King of the Hill. Enjoy RB and Group R racing at its best from May 22 to June 1.
There’s more motor racing on the island as part of the Radical Caribbean Cup series. Radical SR3 Races in Barbados will be held on March 15 (Round 1) and August 29/30 (Round 4).
Check out Barbados’ underwater beauty with Dive Fest Barbados from July 3 through 12. Participate in or watch water awareness programs, scuba and freediving demonstrations and trials, underwater & beach cleanups, conservation tips, a recycled boat race, lionfish hunting/tasting, as well as scuba dives all over the island! Diving options include Try Dive, Try Free Diving, Reef & Wreck Dives, Night Dives and Turtle Tagging.
Check out Sir Garfield Sobers International U19’s Cricket Tournament from July 5 through 20, where schoolboys from a couple of dozen clubs from around the world compete on the pitch.
The Barbados International (Field) Hockey Festival, with Men, Women, Mixed and Masters (>35) teams competing, typically takes place every August/September.
The Barbados National Triathlon will be held on October 25. Events include Olympic Distance, Sprint Distance, Try-a-Tri and a Sprint Relay. International triathletes are invited to participate.
Also, check out our other Things To Do in Barbados page
Back to our Barbados Vacations page
Back to the Best Caribbean Carnivals, Festivals & Events
Back to Explore the Caribbean Islands
Back to the Best Caribbean Island Adventures
Back to the Active Caribbean Travel Home page
