Things to do while vacationing in the Caribbean
Festivals and events around the region can add a cultural flair to any vacation.
Click on the island buttons below to view events and date information about the locations listed.
05/25/2010
Aruba
Events & Festivals
February
Feb 10: Grand 48th Carnival Parade. The
Carnival parade begins at 11:00 a.m. in Oranjestad, and festivities continue in
the streets throughout the evening.
March
Mar 17: 17th Aruba International Half Marathon.
As the longest road race on Aruba, this 21K event begins at 6:30 a.m. in San
Nicholas and ends at the Alhambra Casino.
Mar 18: National Anthem and Flag Day. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the national anthem and flag day, an official holiday on the island. Displays and folklore presentations will be held at the Plaza Betico Croes in Oranjestad. In addition, sporting events and games will take place.
April
Apr 30: Queen's Birthday. This
day honors Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The island will celebrate
with an official ceremony, kite contests, sports and other activities at various
community centers.
June
Jun 28-29: Aruba Jazz & Latin Music
Festival. This two day international festival showcases well-known
jazz and Latin musicians.
Jun 28 - Jul 4: Hi-Winds World Challenge. Thirty countries will participate in this ameteur competition in which windsurfers compete in six different categories: men, women, juniors, masters, super masters and free style. Competitions are held off the beaches off Fisherman's Hut at Hadicurari.
Jun 30: Aruba's 17th International Triathlon. his international event is sponsored by the Aruba Triathlon Association. About 125 athletes will compete in a 1.5K swim, 40K bike race and 10K run.
July
Jul 5: 13th Heineken Music Festival.
Bands throughout the Caribbean will offer free concerts at the Don Elias Mansur
Ballpark.
August
Aug 18-20: Aruba International Pro-Am Golf
Tournament. Avid golfers will enjoy this two-day, 36 holes
tournament, which teams professional and amateur players. Gifts, prizes,
special events and parties will complete the event, which will take place at
Tierra Del Sol.
Aug 30-31: Texaco One Cool Summer International. This day long race qualifying competition will be held at the International Raceway Palo Marga.
October
Oct 2-5: Festival de las Americas.
This annual music festival will include a "Noche Romantica"
(romantic night) on Oct. 3.
Oct 20-Nov 3: International Theater Festival. Dance companies, workshops and lectures from the Caribbean, Americas and Europe will be featured.
Oct 25-26: Deep Sea Fishing Tournament. Yachts from Venezuela, Miami, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba will participate in this annual championship.
Oct 25-27: International Tour of Aruba. The Aruba Cycling Federation organizes this annual event.
November
Nov 2-3: Aruba Super Nationals. This
international drag-race event features international participants and will be
held at the International Raceway Palo Marga in San Nicholas.
Nov 14-17: Central American and Caribbean Cross Country Skiing Championship. This event is endorsed by the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation.
Nov 16-23: Heineken Aruba International Catamaran Regatta. The 11th annual international regatta will feature catamarans from Europe, North America and South America.
December
Dec 5: St. Nicolaas Day. St.
Nicolaas and his helpers will greet children at Paardenbaai Harbor in Oranjestad.
Bahamas
Events & Festivals
March 29 - April 1: Going back to the Island. South Andros lets loose this weekend with games, contests, indigenous music, native food and a miniature boat race.
June: Junkanoo in June Heritage Festival. Every Friday and Saturday throughout the month, visitors can enjoy Bahamian music, food, crafts demonstrations, storytelling and a Junkanoo parade on Nassau/Paradise Island.
Barbados
Events & Festivals
February
Feb 17-24: Holetown Festival.
This event celebrates the landing of the first settlers on the island in 1627.
Among the festivities are street fairs, musical concerts and a beauty pageant.
This will be the 25th year of the festival, which is held in and around Holetown,
St. James.
March
Mar 2: Barbados Sandy Land Gold Cup.
If you enjoy horse racing, book a vacation that coincides with this event.
Horses from Barbados, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago compete in this
invitational race at the historic Garrison Savannah. For additional information
call 246 426-3980.
Mar 5-23: Holder's Opera Season. This on-going cultural event has gained a strong reputation throughout the Caribbean. National and international performers perform during this celebration of opera, music and theater. Performances are held throughout the season.
Mar 30-Apr 1: Oistins Fish Festival. For a bit of traditional island life, you can check out the lively Oistins Fish Festival. This small fishing town celebrates with boat races, fish boning competitions, a Coast Guard exhibition, food stalls, arts and crafts, dancing, singing, road races and, of course, fishing.
April
Apr 13: Caribbean Powerboat Triple Crown.
This is the first year for this event in which athletes race powerboats in an
exciting series of competitions
Apr 22-May 1: De Congaline Street Festival. Barbados' nine-day street fair is replete with free entertainment, art and crafts, food and drink, a daily exhibition forum and a marketplace. The center of the celebrations is the Congaline Village.
May
May 19-Jun 1: Celtic Festival.
Every year, people from around the globe gather on Barbados for this
event. Among the highlights of the events are musical performances,
dances, Haggis Night, Highland games and a rugby tournament.
May 19-26: Gospelfest. The growing popularity of gospel music around the world has helped Barbados' Gospelfest become a major attraction. This international festival features gospel performers from the U.S., the U.K. and the Caribbean.
May 26: Carlisle Bay Water Festival. This event involves seven watersports associations. Each group converges in front of the Boat Yard and highlights different sports. Vistitors can also try their hands at many of the displayed sports, including surfing.
July
Jul 13-Aug 5: Crop Over Festival.
This is the biggest party of the year on Barbados, with community fairs,
concerts, parades and may other cultural activities. The festival begins
with the Cerimonial Delivery of the Last Canes and the crowning of the King and
Queen of the Festival, who are the most productive male and female cane-cutters
of the season. Other highlights include Cohobblopot, a huge carnival-like
show with members of the Kadooment bands displaying their elaborate and stunning
costumes. The event wraps up with the Grand Kadooment, a parade featuring
large bands, elaborate costumes, contests and lots of calypso music. The
parade winds it way from the National Stadium to Spring Garden where the final
party takes place.
October
(Dates to be Announced): Pan in Paradise.
This international steel band features performers from the U.K., Holland,
Switzerland, Japan, Florida and the islands of the Caribbean. If you like
steel band music, you'll enjoy this event. For dates and more information
call 246-424-6830 or email mgevents@usa.net
Bonaire
Events & Festivals
April: Simadan Festival. The month long festival celebrates the time gone by when locals would invite friends to help harvest their crops. Colorful outfits, traditional dance moves, local arts and crafts, and tasty edibles are integral parts of the program.
June 15-22: Bonaire Dive Festival. This annual event, now in its sixth year, attracts scuba divers and snorkelers from around the globe. Participants interact with leaders in marine conservation through events, dives and seminars.
Dec 1: Bari Festival. Through song, dance drink, and the traditional beating of the bari (drums), locals get to recap the year through traditional and historical means of expressions.
Cayman Islands
Events & Festivals
April 1 -13: Cayman Festival of the Arts (Cayfest). Beginning with a traditional boat launch at the Seaside extravaganza, the festival offers open-air and indoor events on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. It features local bands, drama and dance productions, arts and crafts, and native dishes.
June 11-17: Aviation Week. This event brings civilian and military aviators together and includes information, an air show and Family Fun Day. A parade and presentation celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's birthday concludes the event.
Oct 25 - Nov 3: Pirates Week Festival. Each year locals and tourists participate in the 10-day festival. Music, dances, and a "pirate invasion" take place.
Curacao
Events & Festivals
May 31 - Jun 1: Jazz Festival. Established in 1986, the Jazz Festival aims to entertain locals and visitors as well as encourage local musicians to extend their skills into Jazz.
Sep 6-7: Salsa Festival. Every year this festival attracts international performers and artists as well as spectators. Musical performances are held in various venues.
Dominican Republic
Events & Festivals
February: Carnival
June 24-29: Cabarete Race Week.
As the wind-surfing capitol of the world, it is no surprise that this small town
on the north coast hosts this annual competition. Besides the
competitions, there are race clinics, beach parties and other organized
activities.
July (to be announced): Merengue Festival. This annual 10-day festival in Santo Domingo highlights the role of the music in the country's past, present and future.
Grenada
Events & Festivals
May 11-19: Grenada Spice Jazz Festival. Events that celebrate both jazz music and local cuisine are held around the island.
Aug 3-5: Rainbow City Festival. Visitors can enjoy local arts, food and music in this lively celebration in Grenada's second-largest town.
Jamaica
Events & Festivals
Mar 20-24: Caribbean Music Expo. Held in Ocho Rios, this event will feature music seminars and live concerts. Concert performances will also incorporate such music as gospel, R&B, soca, rap, Latin and reggae.
May 6-11: Caribbean Golf Classic. Held in Montego Bay, this annual event brings golfers in the region together to compete for cash prizes and titles.
Jun 8-15: Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
Aug 4-10: Reggae Sunfest. This annual music festival features international and local artists.
St. Lucia
Events & Festivals
May 3-12: St. Lucia Jazz Festival. Visitors will be in store for exciting days of music, dancing and festivities.
July 15-16: Carnival
Turks and Caicos
Events & Festivals
June: Various Events. Special events throughout the month include the Fun in the Sun Celebrations on Salt Cay, the Fools Regatta-Sailing races, the Turks and Caicos International Fishing Tournament on Providenciales and celebrations for the Queen's birthday. There is also the Summajam 6 Festival, which provides non-stop music, sports, culture, entertainment and competitions on Grand Turk.
