Crop Over

Crop Over, one of the most famous festivals in Barbados, dates back to the 18th century, when the island was the world's largest sugar producer. Plantation workers would celebrate the season's final sugarcane harvest with days of music and revelry. Crop Over is now celebrated with a sun-soaked (and rum-soaked) party extravaganza that takes place from the beginning of July to the beginning of August.

The Opening Gala and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes, where the carnival king and queen are crowned, are the primary events (these would have been the most productive workers of the season). The last weekend ends in Grand Kadooment, which combines live bands and dancers in elaborate costumes parading through Bridgetown's streets before partying together at the beach. Crop Over is known for its calypso music, and 'calypsonians' (calypso musicians) fight for titles such as Party Monarch, Sweet Soca Monarch, and Pic-O-De-Crop.

The Kiddies Kadooment costume parade, the energetic Cohobblopot stage play, and the Fore-Day Morning Jump-Up, where revelers cover themselves in mud and paint before partying into the early hours of the morning, are all highlights.

Date: August