Festivals in Barbados

Annual events in Barbados include street gatherings, sports festivals, cultural festivities, and gastronomic showcases. Smaller festivals honoring local and regional talent are held throughout the island's many villages.

Crop Over, one of Barbados' most well-known events, originated in the 18th century, when the island was the world's largest sugar producer. Plantation workers would hold days of music and celebration to commemorate the season's last sugarcane harvest. Crop Over is currently commemorated with a sun-drenched (and rum-drenched) party extravaganza that takes place from July through August.

In terms of food, the Barbados Food & Rum Festival, which takes place in mid-October, is the most well-known event. To celebrate the best of Bajan cuisine and rum, international professionals join local chefs and mixologists. Cook-offs, food and rum pairings, mixology demos, and 5-star dinners served in top restaurants across many venues are all part of the week-long food festival. The festival will come to a close with a beach party on Barbados' west coast and a gourmet supper at Tides, one of the island's best restaurants.

The Oistin's Fish Event is a Barbados traditional festival conducted every Easter at Oistins since 1967. The festival's purpose is to honor those who labor in the fishing industry. Because Toni Thorne, the festival's organizing committee chairperson, elected to alter the name in the 2020s, expect it to change as well.