Do you enjoy music, culture, gastronomy, and sport, or do you prefer to lay on the beach in the tropics? If that's the case, you'll be able to check all of your boxes. There is a lush tropical island at the southern end of the Caribbean.
There are lots of festivals during the peak season from December to April. The two shoulder seasons from mid-April to June and across the month of November combine great weather with slightly lower prices for more laid back travelers.
Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.There are a lot of big events on the Bajan calendar, including motocross events, carnival celebrations, and some of the best food and drink in the world. The best times to visit Barbados are listed here.
Between December and April, travelers looking to escape cold winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere come to Barbados. If there's anywhere you want to go, book early to secure a spot because there's more competition for spots.
During the high season, the climate tends to be cooler and less humid than in the summer. There's very little chance of a long rain driving you off the beach.
Adding to the fun, big festivals such as the Oistins Fish Festival and the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup horse race dot the calendar for days when you don't want to sit back on the beach.
As the high season crowds leave, prices plummet, creating great opportunities for a budget friendly island vacation. The winter high season ends in Barbados. When the Crop Over festival starts in July, things calm down and the crowds go away. The rainy season comes to an end in November. The lack of crowds allow for unhurried sightseeing.
Barbados has a rainy season during the summer months, which lasts until the year's end. Most storm systems pass to the north and the island has avoided any serious trouble for many years.
Visitors can expect some showers, but not a lot. There's enough sun to still enjoy the beach, even in the daytime, when temperatures are consistently above 80oF. If you travel on a budget, this season offers discounts on everything from airfare to accommodations.
New Year welcomes in cool breezes and a lot of visitors come here for the Round Barbados Sailing Week. Cases of rum are on the line for the winners of the sprint around the island. New Year's Day is a key event.
How to get around the island in a way that's familiar to you.
The Holetown Festival commemorates the anniversary of the first British settlement on the island in 1628. A steel band concert, street fairs, parades, a Queen of the Festival Pageant, memorial talks, and lots of liming are part of the cultural showcase. Holetown Festival is one of the key events.
The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup horse race is one of the premier events on the Bajan calendar and one of the biggest races in the Eastern Caribbean. There is a lot of betting interest from the locals in Bridgetown, where jockeys and trainers travel to for this horse. The key event is the Barbados Gold Cup.
Oistins Fish Festival is held over the Easter weekend. The tiny fishing village of Oistins on the scenic south coast hosts a unique celebration to honor the local fishing industry with a fishboning competition, grease-pole contest, music, dancing, and of course lots of seafood. Fly fish, cou cou, fish cakes, and "pudding and souse" can be washed down with a Banks Beer. Holy Week, Oistins Fish Festival, and the Reggae Festival are some of the key events.
In late April and May, the crowds thin out, and the festival is one of the last major ones before the summer. The best celebration of the genre in the region is this one. Labour day is a key event.
There are a lot of things to do in the country.
The Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport international begins in the summer. One of the crown jewels of the island is the tarmac road rally. The southern Caribbean doesn't see a lot of hurricanes but June is when they start. The Sol Rally Barbados is a key event.
Crop Over, a carnival-style harvest festival that has been celebrated here since the 17th century, is one of the highlights of July. During the summer months, there are calypso contests, soca monarch contests, Kiddie Kadooment, and the Pic-O-De-Crop show. Crop Over is a key event.
Crop Over ends in August on the first Monday in August. The Grand Kadooment revelry begins at the National Stadium on the outskirts of Bridgetown, and then goes down the highway. It is a visually stunning explosion of vibrant feathers, bedazzled headpieces, and sequined bodysuits as thousands of Bajans parade jubilantly through the streets. The finale of Crop Over is a key event.
She's celebrated as a national treasure because of her talent. The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts showcases local talent in a variety of disciplines, including dance, drama, speech, fine arts, literary arts, music, culinary arts, photography and film. The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts is a key event.
As the world's largest sugar producer, Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum. Chefs, wine experts, and mixologists are invited to the Barbados Food & Rum Festival. The best way to experience local rum and Bajan cuisine is at a fine dining restaurant. The key events are the Food and Rum Festival and the Jazz Excursion.
There are a lot of things to do in the country.
It's time for the Open Water Festival, a friendly and inclusive three-day open water swimming event. The swimming competition distances are 1.5 km, 2 km, 3.3 km, 5 km and 10 km. The island celebrates its independence from Great Britain in 1966 with contests, fairs and the lighting of public buildings. The Independence Day lighting ceremony is a key event.
If you want to get active in December, it's a good time to run the Run Barbados Marathon because of the warm weather. The route begins and ends on the Bay Street Esplanade, with a picturesque course winding through Bridgetown, but the real fun starts with the post-run parties just east of Bridgetown. There is a marathon on Old Year's night.
The article was last updated about 3 hours ago.
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