HOLIDAYS
The Barbados Jazz Festival or "Paint It Jazz" takes place every January. The event attracts jazz performers and jazz lovers from around the world, as well as local groups. Performances are held throughout the island. One of the highlights is a daytime open-air concert in Farley Hill Park. People bring blankets and picnics, and camp out on the hillside nearby to watch the show. The Holetown Festival is a week-long party in February to celebrate the anniversary of the first settlement in Barbados in 1627. Holetown was the site of this settlement. The festival is marked with music, dance, sports, games, market fairs and street parties.

The Oistins Fish Festival takes place on the Easter weekend in Oistins on the south coast. There are boat races and fishing competitions. Fishermen also demonstrate their skills in boning fish. Participants dance to steel bands and other music.

The Congaline Carnival takes place in late April. Revellers form a long conga line in Bridgetown and dance their way to St. Lawrence Gap, about six kilometres away on the south coast. Trucks carrying musicians, amplifiers and disc jockeys lead the procession. A daily exhibition of crafts and food is set up in a field in St. Lawrence.

Gospelfest takes place in late May. Musicians and singers perform international and Caribbean styles of gospel music for audiences in locations around the island.

   Did you know?
Kadooment is Barbados's biggest street carnival, held on the first Monday in August. Kadooment means fun and good times.
Crop Over Festival takes place in late July or early August. Traditionally, the festival marked the end of the sugar cane harvest season. Bajans set up calypso tents for calypso and steel band entertainment. A highlight of the festival is the Calypso Monarch competition. There is a street fair featuring Bajan cooking and, in the evening, fireworks fill the sky.

Throughout November, the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts takes place. Bajans of all ages demonstrate their talents and compete with others in music, performing arts, visual arts, poetry and writing. The exhibitions and performances culminate on November 30, which is Independence Day in Barbados. Christmas Day is celebrated by feasting and attending church services. A dish known as jug jug, made with corn and green peas, is a favourite at Christmastime.

January 1 New Year’s Day
January 21 Errol Barrow Day
March or April Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day
June Whit Monday
April 28 National Heroes Day
August 1 Emancipation Day
August (first Monday) Kadooment Day
November 30 Independence Day
December 25, 26 Christmas Day, Boxing Day