The Best Time to Visit Barbados

SD › Barbados When to Go
Updated: July 15, 2020
By Santorini Dave

When is the Best Time to Visit Barbados?

The best time to visit Barbados is from May to June and in November. These months avoid the wet season and hurricanes, and the days are warm and relatively dry. These months also avoid the peak holidays in the US and UK, so deals can be found for hotels, air travel, and local amenities.

• Best Time for Good Weather: December-April.
• Best Time for Sightseeing: December-June.
• Best Time for Honeymoon: May-June, November.
• Best Time for Saving Money: July-October.
• Best Time for Families: May-June.
• Best Time for Partying: March-April, July-August.
• Best Time for Surfing: October-March.
• Best Time for Snorkeling: All year round.

• Best Time to Visit Barbados: The first shoulder season of the year runs from May to June and is the best time to visit Barbados. The crowds lessen with peak season tourism tapering off by the end of April. The weather is hot, sunny, and relatively dry as June is only the beginning of the wet season. Hotels and resorts begin offering reduced prices but amenities remain fully available, as do tour activities like excursions. Flight availability is also better at this time since Spring Break, UK Easter Holidays, and March Break are long over. The humidity remains mild due to the tempering effects of the trade winds, keeping things comfortable but still warm.
• Best Time to Book Hotels in Barbados: For a vacation between December to mid-April, search 6-12 months ahead to have the best selection of hotels and the best price. For the remainder of the year, last-minute hotel deals can be found within 3 months or less before your trip, but if visiting during shoulder seasons, make reservations 3-6 months in advance to ensure you can book what you want at a good price.
• Best Time to Save Money: The stormy season in Barbados offers the best deals with some resorts offering up to 50% off. Between July and November, Barbados experiences its rainiest months and there is a risk of hurricanes – although a hurricane has not made landfall in Barbados since 1955. Despite being the rainy and hurricane season, Barbados experiences short, sharp showers and then goes back to sunshine and heat as high as 31°C. Tourism traffic is minimal during these months with the exception of early August when there are school holidays and celebrations for Emancipation Day and the Crop Over Festival. The cheapest flights and accommodations usually can be found September through November when precipitation is at its highest and students are back in school.
• Best Time to Visit for Good Weather: Barbados is just 13 degrees north of the equator, which means the island has a tropical climate with high temperatures all year round. The best time to visit Barbados to experience consistently good weather is between December and April. Not only is it the driest part of the year, but the temperatures are comfortably warm without being stiflingly humid. Temperatures reach a maximum of 29-30°C on average during the dry season but the trade winds temper the heat with a cooling breeze.
• Best Time for Families: Although visiting during the dry season ensures the best weather and minimal rain, it is guaranteed to be crowded and you will pay peak prices. Traveling between mid-April and June means you can find deals on flights and accommodations, amenities are available at resorts, tours are running on a full schedule, the weather is good, and beaches and activities are better enjoyed as they are less crowded.
• Best Time for Surfing: Barbados is the surfing capital of the Caribbean. Waves are driven toward the island from all directions, so you can surf throughout the year. As such, for more experienced surfers looking for a surfing holiday, traveling to Barbados from October to March gives the opportunity to catch waves that run up to 12 feet high, while the rest of the year the maximum height is 6 feet. For beginners, it is recommended to head to Freights Bay, Pebbles, and Surfers Point, where the waves are gentle, while expert surfers can enjoy Soup Bowl, Duppies, and Tropicana.

Barbados Travel Seasons

• High Season (December to mid-April): The dry season is the peak season in Barbados as many travelers prefer visiting when the temperature is ideal and the risk of bad weather is minimal. Although the official start of the dry season is in January, the chances of rain are minimal in December. Hence, December to mid-April are the months when the island sees the most tourists and hotels double their prices. It is also a time of many cultural festivals and lots of activity on the beaches. Due to the influx of tourists during the high season, you should book flights several months in advance. You also need to book accommodations, restaurants, and popular excursions a few months in advance to ensure availability. Island tours to attractions like Harrison’s Cave and snorkeling trips book up quickly. A highlight of visiting during the high season is that resorts will have peak entertainment and water sports are in full operation. If you visit in early December, you might find lower prices than closer to the holidays.
• Shoulder Season (mid-April to June, November): Barbados has two shoulder seasons, mid-April to June and another one in November. From May to June, the weather is hotter than the peak season and slightly wetter, but it’s still ideal for beach days and excursions and the tourist crowds have died down a bit. Though temperatures are hotter, strong cooling winds continue to temper the heat. Flight availability is better at this time of the year and you will start to see price reductions for hotels and resorts once Spring Break and Easter holidays are over. November marks the second shoulder season as the hurricane season comes to an end and the rainy season begins to taper off. Although there are still likely to be light showers on some days of your vacation, the high temperatures and humidity dry everything quickly, thus offering plenty of sunshine and nearly empty beaches to enjoy. Accommodations cost much less than during the high season but call ahead to ensure any hotel renovations being completed during the low season have been wrapped up and that excursions and tours are operating.
• Low Season (July to October, with the exception of around August 1st for Emancipation Day): The low season falls within the wet season when prices can drop as much as 50% at the most popular resorts. If you visit before the Bajan school holidays in August, you’ll find excellent savings on flights and accommodations. And even during the school holidays, you’ll find some great last-minute deals: prices will be much higher than during term-time but not as high as peak-season rates. The Bajan school year typically restarts in the first week of September, so any time after that is a good time to visit if you prefer a quiet environment and good deals. One thing to keep in mind is that during the low season, especially between September and October, some hotels, restaurants, and bars will be closed. However, the low season allows you to have a better choice of restaurants that are open and you will rarely need a reservation during this time of the year.

Barbados Weather by Month

• Barbados Weather in January: The average daily high in January is 26°C. However, thanks to the trade winds, a cool Atlantic breeze will keep you cool and moderate the humidity. Things stay nice and warm in the evenings, with an average low of 21°C, but it can feel cooler due to the trade winds. Although there are around 13 days of rain, January is still one of the driest months of the year with brief tropical showers that don’t last for long. There are about 11 hours of daylight in January and 9 hours of sunshine, providing plenty of time for the beach and excursions, but UV levels are very high, so don’t forget your sunscreen. Pack your swimsuits as the sea is comfortably warm at 27°C. Also, bring along summer clothing and some light layers or a shawl for the cooler evenings. Bringing along a waterproof bag to protect your electronics and valuables is also recommended in case you are caught in a quick tropical shower. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Precipitation: 63mm.)
• Barbados Weather in February: The warm weather and dry season continues into February. The average daily high increases to 27°C, though the average daily low remains at 21°C. The trade winds provide a good breeze that keeps things cool and moderates the humidity. The sea is warm at 26°C, making it perfect for swimming and water sports. Rainfall levels stay very low in February, with only 9 days with rain, which appears as a quick downpour, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the 9 hours of sunshine, low humidity, and all the festivals and cultural events. Pack as you would for January, remembering those light layers for the cool evenings and sunscreen for strong UV rays during the day. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Precipitation: 56mm.)
• Barbados Weather in March: March is the last month before the humidity starts to increase. Temperatures begin to increase to an average daily high of 29°C but the average daily low remains at 21°C. The sun shines for around 9 hours and the sea remains warm at 26°C. Furthermore, March is the driest month of the year with only 7 rainy days, so the combination provides perfect conditions for long beach days, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Pack light tropics-friendly clothing, swimsuits, and sun protection, including sunscreen with SPF of 35 or higher as UV rays are strong in Barbados. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Precipitation: 39mm.)
• Barbados Weather in April: April is the final month of the peak season and is popular with tourists since the weather is still great despite the slight increase in the daily high, which hovers around 29°C. The daily low increases to 22°C. The trade winds still blow in April, so some light layers might be needed for the evenings. April is still a relatively dry month with only 7 days of rain expected for the month. The sea temperature also increases to 27°C, so make sure to pack swimsuits as well as light summer layers, open-toed shoes, and sun protection. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Precipitation: 51mm.)
• Barbados Weather in May: May is the beginning of the shoulder season in Barbados but since it is the last month before the rainy season, the weather remains great. The average daily high remains at 29°C but the strong trade winds temper the heat and keep things comfortable during the day, while the average daily low of 23°C provides a reprieve from the heat in the evenings. May receives around 7 days of rain but also sees an average of 8 hours of sunshine, leaving plenty of time to sightsee, enjoy the less-crowded beach, and swim in the warm 28°C sea. Pack as you would for April: light summer clothing, plenty of swimsuits, and various forms of sun protection, including high-SPF sunscreen. (Average Max Temperature: 31°C. Average Precipitation: 66mm.)
• Barbados Weather in June: The chance of short tropical showers increases in June as it is the first month of the wet season with an average of 14 days of rain expected. But showers usually only occur in the afternoon and end quickly, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the warm sunny weather. The average daily high is 31°C and doesn’t tend to vary – only dropping in the evenings to 24°C. The sea temperature remains at 28°C and you can expect an average of 8 hours of sunshine each day. Warm clothes will not be needed in June but definitely pack a selection of swimwear along with light summer layers and some rain gear like a waterproof bag to protect valuables during those quick tropical downpours. Sun protection like a sun hat and sunscreen are also important to bring along as UV levels are extreme in June. (Average Max Temperature: 31°C. Average Precipitation: 119mm.)
• Barbados Weather in July: July is the beginning of the official hurricane season in Barbados, which runs until November. The risk of hurricanes is very low as they normally pass to the north of the Caribbean sea. However, they can affect the weather on the island as the number of days with rain increases to 19. Rather than non-stop rain, however, there are short downpours or storms, which are usually followed by hot and sunny weather again which dries everything quickly. The average daily high is 30°C in July which drops to 23°C at night. You can expect 8 hours of daily sunshine and the sea remains warm at 28°C, so make sure to pack your swimsuits and sun protection along with light tropics-friendly clothing. The odds are that you will have a storm-free vacation, but you should still plan for the rain by checking the hurricane forecast before traveling. Also make sure to pack good rain gear, a waterproof bag, and even a light rain jacket. You can purchase travel insurance to cover you if the weather prevents you from traveling, as an extra precaution. (Average Max Temperature: 31°C. Average Precipitation: 141mm.)
• Barbados Weather in August: August is the height of summer in Barbados with high humidity, hot temperatures, and an average of 15 days with rain. The rain usually presents as relatively short showers in the afternoons and evenings, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the hot 31°C daily high and 8 hours of sunshine. The evenings stay warm, only cooling down to 23°C, so warm layers won’t be needed, but make sure to pack your swimsuit as the sea is 28°C. Pack light summer clothing, open-toed shoes, and a waterproof bag to protect valuables in case you get caught in a tropical downpour. It is especially important to bring sun protection, regularly apply sunscreen, and keep hydrated during this time. The weather may get too humid for more strenuous activities like hiking but beach days and attending the Grand Kadooment Day are great alternatives if you are visiting at the beginning of the month (Average Max Temperature: 31°C. Average Precipitation: 163mm.)
• Barbados Weather in September: September is the middle of the hurricane season and experiences some of the highest rainfall of the year with an average of 15 days with rain. The rain usually appears in short and heavy bursts, meaning there’s plenty of long, clear days with an average daily high of 30°C and an average low of 23°C. The sea is at its warmest in September at 29°C and with 8 hours of sunshine, there is plenty of time to enjoy the warm sea and sunny beach days. Pack as you would for August – light tropics-friendly clothing as well as some rain gear like waterproof shoes, a waterproof bag, sandals, and sun protection. Be sure to apply sunscreen regularly as UV levels are extremely high. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Precipitation: 169mm.)
• Barbados Weather in October: October is the rainiest month of the year and also one of the riskier months during the hurricane season for potential heavy storms, with 15 days of rain expected on average. However, it is important to note that as the most eastern Caribbean island, Barbados does not experience major storms or hurricanes – the last major hurricane to make landfall on the island was in 1955; however, the potential for it to happen again is there. Make sure to check the hurricane forecast before traveling and also purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover you in case the weather prevents you from traveling. Despite the rain and chance of storms, an average of 7 hours of daily sunshine can still be enjoyed on the clear days. The daily average high in October is 30°C, dropping to 23°C at night. UV levels remain extremely high, so make sure to protect your skin with plenty of sun protection and also pack good rain gear, a waterproof bag, waterproof shoes, along with moisture-wicking and light summer clothing. Also pack swimsuits as the sea is wonderfully warm at 29°C and good walking shoes for indoor activities like visiting museums and the rum distillery at St Nicholas Abbey on those rainy days. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Precipitation: 182mm.)
• Barbados Weather in November: November is the final month of the hurricane season as the wet season begins to taper off. There is still quite a bit of rainfall, with an average of 14 days with rain, but the potential for major storms is gone. With 8 hours of sunshine, an average daily high of 30°C, and the sea remaining warm at 28°C, there are still plenty of opportunities for beautiful and hot sunny days at the beach. The evenings see a low of 23°C, so warm layers are not needed, but with the trade winds, the nights can feel cool enough for a light shawl or sweater. Pack light summer layers, swimsuits, open-toed shoes and sandals, and moisture-wicking clothing for the humidity as well as sun protection as UV rays remain high. (Average Max Temperature: 30°C. Average Precipitation: 178mm.)
• Barbados Weather in December: December is drier and less humid than the autumn months, with the average precipitation decreasing by half in comparison to November. There are still 13 days with rain expected in December but downpours are quick, and with an average high of 29°C and 8 hours of sunshine, things dry fairly quickly. Evenings begin to cool down with an average low of 22°C, so pack a few light layers since the nights can feel cooler with the trade winds tempering the heat and humidity. Also pack your swimsuits as the sea remains warm and perfect for swimming at 28°C. Bring tropics-friendly summer clothing, open-toed shoes and sandals, as well as sun protection as UV levels remain extremely high. (Average Max Temperature: 29°C. Average Precipitation: 95mm.)

Barbados Holidays, Events, and Festivals

Barbados in January

• New Year’s Day (Jan 1) – Barbados celebrates New Year’s Day with a national holiday and, with the exception of restaurants and hotels, all schools, government institutions, banks, and supermarkets are closed.
• Errol Barrow Day (January 21) – A public holiday to celebrate the birthday of Errol Barrow, the first Prime Minister of Barbados. It is celebrated on January 21st with celebrations and a picnic in Barclays Park. If January 21st falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be a public holiday. Commercial businesses remain closed and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.
• Barbados Film Festival (January 14-19) – An entire week of film, including special events that highlight elements of each screening and networking for filmmakers, industry professionals, donors, and filmgoers in St. Michael, Barbados. This festival highlights the work of filmmakers, producers, and actors from around the world and includes screenings, workshops, island excursions, and other special events.
• Round Barbados Sailing Week (January 17-23) – Formerly known as the Mount Gay Round Barbados Series, the Caribbean race season’s opening regatta is now known as Round Barbados Sailing Week and is hosted in St. Michael. The headlining race gives crews a chance to win their skipper’s weight in rum if any of the 20 records are broken. One race takes place on Errol Barrow Day – adding to the festivities around the island.

Barbados in February

• Sun, Sea, and Slams Bridge Tournament (February 10-15) – An annual Bridge Festival that attracts players from all over the world who come together to play bridge in Christ Church.
• The Holetown Festival (February 16-23) – The festival takes place in Holetown and celebrates the anniversary of the first English settlement here on February 17, 1627. The week-long celebration occurs mid-February every year and includes activities that showcase the culture and traditions of Barbados. Events include folk singing and dancing, sports and games, street parades, markets, and traditional Barbados cuisine food stalls.
• Agrofest (February 28-March 1) – The Agricultural Society’s annual National Agricultural Exhibition usually takes place in the last weekend of February at Queen’s Park in St. Michael. Farmers, crafts people, and agricultural producers gather along with 60,000 visitors. Competitions between farmers, entertainers, and more make up this exhibition.

Barbados in March

• Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup (March 7) – One of the most prestigious events in the Eastern Caribbean horse racing calendar and the biggest sporting event on the island with international jockeys and trainers traveling to Barbados to compete. The event takes place at the Historic Garrison Savannah in Bridgetown from 12-6 pm.
• World Surfing League (March 17-22) – The inaugural Barbados Surf Pro QS 3,000 was scheduled to take place in St. Joseph from March 17-22 in 2020 but due to COVID-19, the event has been postponed.

Barbados in April

• Good Friday (variable dates) – Easter Friday is a public holiday in Barbados when commercial businesses are closed and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.
• Vujaday Music Festival (early April) – An electronic music festival that takes place throughout the island. The festival offers various musical and cultural events around the island across 5 days.
• Oistins Festival – An annual event that takes place every Easter weekend in the fishing village of Oistins in the parish of Christ Church. It is the largest community festival in Barbados, with activities for adults and kids, and celebrates the contributions by those involved in the local fishing industry. The festival includes calypso and reggae music from sidewalk stalls, dancing, food and beverage stalls with traditional Bajan fare, local arts and crafts, and competitions like fish-boning and greased-poling.
• Easter Monday – Easter Monday is a public holiday in Barbados. One Easter tradition you will come across on the island is kite flying and on Easter Monday, there’s an official kite-flying competition. As a public holiday, commercial businesses will close and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.
• Barbados Reggae Festival (April-end) – An annual 5-day reggae music festival in St. Michael that draws artists and visitors from all over the world.
• National Heroes’ Day (April 28) – Every April 28 is National Heroes Day in Barbados to honor the 10 official national heroes who are deemed to have had the biggest positive impact throughout the nation’s history. Festivities are held at the National Heroes Square in Bridgetown, where there are food stalls, music concerts, cultural events, games, and even fireworks. As a public holiday, commercial businesses will close and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.

Barbados in May

• May Day (May 1) – Barbados observes May Day on the first Monday of every May. This gives workers a 3-day weekend to celebrate with their families and attend Labour Day parades, union gatherings, and other events. As a public holiday, commercial businesses will close and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.
• Barbados Ninja Throwdown – A local sports entertainment competition that features some obstacles that are seen on the show “American Ninja Warrior” with a local twist. The event showcases the strength and technical abilities of the competitors and draws over 3,000 spectators.
• Festive Fridays (May 15-December 18) – Every Friday from May 15 to December 18, the free admission Bridgetown Night Market takes place at the Pelican Craft Centre from 4 pm to midnight. The Night Market includes food and drinks specials, breadfruit bowls, live entertainment, and shopping. The Night Market also includes a Riddim Route Street Parade at Trevor’s Way from 7-10 pm.
• Gospel Fest (mid-May) – The Caribbean’s Premier International Christian Music & Arts Festival features top local, regional, and international gospel talent each year across 9 days at Farley Hill National Park.
• Celtic Festival (May 19-24) – A musical and culinary festival celebrating the shared history between the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Nova Scotia with Barbados. Visiting musicians including bagpipers, folk singers, dancers, and fiddlers perform with local musicians to celebrate Barbados’ musical history.
• Sol Rally Barbados (May-end) – Sol Rally Barbados has been running for 30 years as an International All-Stage Rally. It is the Caribbean’s largest annual international motorsport event. The event has hosted more than 350 drivers and co-drivers representing 30+ countries and draws 2,500 visitors.
• Horse Racing at The Garrison (May 23-December 26) – The historic Garrison Savannah has hosted thoroughbred horse racing for over 150 years. Races are generally run on Saturdays through the year, with additional race days on some bank holidays. There are usually 9 races per day, starting around 12:30 pm or later and finishing around 6 pm, depending on the time of year. Entrance fees to the various stands range from Bds$10 to Bds$100 for the day. Special (higher) prices apply to Gold Cup Day in early March. Admission is free to the grounds.
• Hunterspring Sunday Grooves (May 31-December 27) – A local jazz talent show that runs every last Sunday of the month from 2-7 pm in St. Philip.
• Barbados Cup – Segway Polo in Paradise (May 28-June 1) – A tournament that mixes players from different teams and countries to compete in a game of polo played on Segways. The Barbados Cup competition has been held every second year since 2014 with competitors from over 6 countries.

Barbados in June

• Whit Monday (variable dates) – Marking the end of the Easter cycle that began 90 days ago with Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent, Whit Monday is a public holiday in Barbados. There are no grand festivities to mark Whit Monday with the exception of Church services. As a public holiday, commercial businesses will close and transport may run on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.
• Beach Culture World Tour World Championships (June 2-7) – A competition in windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing, and SUP-ing in collaboration with the International Windsurfing Tour and hosted at Silver Sands, Christ Church.
• Water Polo in Paradise Beach Festival (June 5-7) – An open water polo tournament for masters and seniors hosted in Carlisle Bay.
• Crop Over Festival (June-end to early-August) – An annual festival spread across 3 months and hosted in Bridgetown, celebrating the tradition of the last harvest and delivery of sugar canes for the season, the origins of which date back to the 1780s. The festival kicks off with the Crop Over Launch and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes and culminates with the Grand Kadooment Day.
• Variety’s Annual Row for Charity (June 28) – An annual fundraising event in its 20th year, where rowing teams take part in a row across Carlisle Bay and compete for various prizes. Kayak and swim relays are also held.

Barbados in July

• Annual Dive Fest (July 3-12) – An annual event hosted by The Barbados Dive Operators Association that raises awareness of Barbados’ coral reefs and reef fish populations and encourages locals to learn more about the ecosystems that surround the island. The festival features water awareness programs, scuba and freediving demonstrations, beach clean ups, dry tours led by conservationists, conservation tips, lionfish hunting and tasting, as well as scuba dives all over the island and along the east coast.
• Pan Pun De Sand (mid-July) – Held at Brandons Beach at 4 pm, as part of the Crop Over Festival.
• Junior Kadooment (July-end) – Held at the Kensington Oval in St. Michael from 9 am, the Junior Kadooment is part of the Crop Over Festival schedule. Children parade in colorful costumes and compete for titles and prizes. The event features the Kings & Queens of the Junior Bands, Parade of the Junior Bands, Party Zone, Cool Down Zone, and After Party. The event is family-friendly and open to visitors to the island who would like to participate in the festival.
• Soca Monarch Finals (July-end) – Held at the National Botanical Gardens in St Michael, this competition is a massive event attracting over 10,000 people to watch the world’s best soca artists. The event is part of the Crop Over Festival and admission starts at Bds$50.
• Pic-O-De-Crop Finals (July-end/early-August) – This is the final event in a series of calypso music performances and events held throughout the duration of the Crop Over Festival period. Held at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, the 9 finalists compete for the Calypso Monarch title. The event begins at 8 pm and admission starts at Bds$50.
• Foreday Morning Jam (July-end/early-August) – A night-time street party with a parade of organized bands, covered in mud and body paint and partying through the streets. It is one of the many Crop Over Festival events and is a precursor to the Grand Kadooment Celebrations. This event signals the start of the adult street parades for the Crop Over Festival and takes place immediately after the Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso competition finals. The Jam usually begins at 1:30 am and runs until 6 am from Bridgetown to Spring Garden Highway.
• Bridgetown Market (July-end/early-August) – Held at the Spring Garden, this 4-day street fair and market is one of the major events of the Crop Over Festival. The market covers a long stretch of the highway in Bridgetown with several items for sale along with live entertainment. Admission is free and the event is family-friendly. To take a break from the summer heat, visitors can pop over to Brandons Beach which is next to the market.

Barbados in August

• Emancipation Day (August 1) – A national bank holiday, Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery in Barbados. Except restaurants and hotels, all schools, government institutions, banks, and supermarkets are closed.
• Grand Kadooment Day (first Monday in August) – Marking the end of the Crop Over Festival, a large and grand parade and carnival street party starts at the National Stadium and travels down the Mighty Grynner Highway. It’s a stunning visual and musical masquerade parade with revelers, dressed in sequined-costumes decorated with colorful feathers and jewels, dancing behind music trucks and moving bars. The grand finale is the main attraction of the annual festival and attracts people from all over the world with approximately 15,000 participants and spectators.
• Barbados International Hockey Festival (August 16-22) – This annual festival brings teams from all over the world to compete in field hockey and participate in social events and activities for both players and spectators.

Barbados in September

• Craft Beer Symposium (September 9-10) – A 2-day symposium of brewers, equipment, and ingredient suppliers for craft beer lovers held at the Courtyard by Marriott Bridgetown.

Barbados in October

• Barbados Jazz Excursion and Golf Tournament (October 7-11) – A weekend of concerts, comedy shows, island excursions, and charity golf with a lineup of contemporary jazz and R&B artists in St. Michael. The charity golf tournament will benefit the Never Lose Your Drive Foundation and the Headstart Music Program in Barbados. Concert packages and promo codes are available for visitors staying at the Hilton.
• Barbados Food and Rum Festival (October 29-November 1) – Every fall, local, regional, and international chefs create dishes and beverages that offer colorful and flavorful experiences for foodies and visitors at this festival. It features live cooking demonstrations, fun pop-up events, rum tastings, and a ‘gourmet safari’. Events take place in various locations across the island.

Barbados in November

• The Lighting Ceremony (November 1) – This ceremony commemorates the start of month-long festivities to mark when Barbados became fully independent from Great Britain. It is held on November 1st in Independence Square, Bridgetown. Blue, yellow, and black light bulbs (similar to Christmas lights) are used to decorate government and historic Parliament buildings in the city. The lights remain on every night through the month of November and the Christmas season.
• Independence Day (November 30) – Independence Day in Barbados is celebrated with the Independence Day Parade and some special ceremonies at the Kensington Oval. The parade features the Barbados Boy Scout Association, Barbados Girl Guides, Royal Barbados Police Force, and all military units. November 30th is only the culmination of events, as the whole month of November is full of sports events, fairs, arts and crafts shows, and various patriotic and religious activities to celebrate and commemorate Barbados’ independence from Great Britain in 1966. Independence Day is an official holiday in Barbados with most commercial businesses closed and transport running on a reduced schedule, but all tourist facilities on the island remain open.

Barbados in December

• Run Barbados Marathon Weekend (December 4-6) – A weekend with various walks and runs – something for everyone with a 5k, 10k, a midnight fun-mile run and walk, a half-marathon, and a marathon. Usually held around Barbados’ Independence time, the race is set to coincide with other holiday events. The running route is uniquely scenic, winding through Bridgetown’s historic streets, seaport, past the Parliament buildings, over the Chamberlain Bridge, and along the west coast with views of the Caribbean Sea and Independence Square for the marathon and half-marathon.
• Christmas Day (December 25) – In Barbados, Christmas is a national holiday and is celebrated by eating special dishes, attending church, decorating houses, and visiting family and friends. Some Christmas traditions and festivities in Barbados include loud public Christmas music, lights on almost every building, and fashion shows in Queen’s Park in Bridgetown. As a national holiday, most businesses are closed with the exception of restaurants and hotels. All schools, government institutions, banks, and supermarkets are closed.
• Boxing Day (December 26) – Boxing Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population and schools and most businesses are closed, including supermarkets. The final day of horse racing is held on Boxing Day at The Historic Garrison Savannah. Boxing Day originates from England and is still celebrated in many Commonwealth countries, including Barbados.
• New Year’s Eve (December 31) – New Years Eve is not a public holiday in Barbados and businesses have normal opening hours. Many in Barbados will go to a midnight mass on New Year’s Eve and then head home to party into the morning. Fireworks displays are put on for the public at the south-west beaches, Hastings boardwalk, and St Lawrence Gap.