Barbados Attractions & Events
There's so much to see and do on the island. Here's a short list of attractions sure enough to please the whole family, along with a listing of special events listed by the month..
Of course our Blog lists much more such as Nightclubs, Sports, and our main travel site lists a number of Barbados island tours.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
Andromeda Gardens:
Bathsheba, St. Joseph
246/433-9384
Daily 9-5
A fascinating collection of unusual and beautiful plant specimens from around the world is cultivated in 6 acres of gardens nestled among streams, ponds, and rocky outcroppings overlooking the sea above the Bathsheba coastline. The gardens were created in 1954 by the late horticulturist Iris Bannochie. They're now administered by the Barbados National Trust. The Hibiscus Café serves snacks and drinks.
Animal Flower Cave:
North Point, St. Lucy
246/439-8797
Daily 9-4
Small sea anemones, or sea worms, resemble jewel-like flowers when they open their tiny tentacles. They live in small pools -- some large enough to swim in -- in this cave at the island's very northern tip. The view of breaking waves from inside the cave is outstanding.
Barbados Museum:
Hwy. 7, Garrison Savannah, St. Michael
246/427-0201
Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 2-6
This museum, in the former British Military Prison (1815) in the historic Garrison area, has artifacts from Arawak days (around 400 BC) and galleries that depict 19th-century military history and everyday life. You'll see cane-harvesting tools, wedding dresses, ancient dentistry instruments. There is also the grim legacy of slave sale accounts kept in a spidery copperplate handwriting. There are also a wildlife and natural history exhibits, an art gallery, a children's gallery, a gift shop, and a café.
Emancipation Memorial:
St. Barnabas Roundabout, St. Michael
(Intersection of ABC Hwy. and Hwy. 5)
This statue of a slave is commonly referred to as the Bussa Statue. Bussa was the man who, in the early part of the 19th century, led the first slave rebellion in Barbados. The statue overlooks a broad sugarcane field just outside Bridgetown.
Flower Forest:
Richmond Plantation, Hwy. 2, St. Joseph
246/433-8152
Admission charged
Daily 9-5
It's a treat to meander among fragrant flowering bushes, canna and ginger lilies, puffball trees, and more than 100 other species of tropical flora in a cool, tranquil setting. A 1/2-mi-long path winds through the 50 acres of grounds, a former sugar plantation. There are a snack bar, a gift shop, and a beautiful view of Mt. Hillaby.
EVENTS IN BARBADOS BY MONTH
January:
Paint it Jazz festival
1st weekend after New Year's for a week. There is cool jazz on warm Caribbean shores when Barbados hosts its annual "Paint It Jazz" festival The Caribbean's premier musical event present s internationally acclaimed musicians such as acclaimed vocalist Chaka Khan, saxophonist Dave Koz, pianist/composer David Benoit and others. The festival, which celebrates the best in international and local jazz talent, has become a major annual Caribbean event.
African Renaissance Dance Festival
Mid-January
246/425-0940
Barbados Windsurfing World Cup
February:
Holetown Festival mid-February
(246)435-6264
The Holetown Festival commemorates the anniversary of the first settlement of Barbados at Holetown in February 1627. The week-long festival begins in mid-February with the opening celebrations taking place at the Holetown Monument. The festival highlights local arts and crafts as well as Barbadian culture and history. It include street fairs, the Royal Barbados Police Band Concert, a musical Festival in the historic Parish Church, and a Beauty Show.
March:
Holders Opera Season
opens mid-March
The Barbados Gold Cup (Sandy Lane)
The running of this prestigious event brings together top class horses from Barbados, Martinique and Trinidad & Tobago. The venue for this nine-furlong invitational race is the historic Garrison Savannah.
April:
Congaline Carnival
Begins late-April
(246)424-0909
De Congaline Carnival is a nine-day carnival. The Congaline Village is the heart and soul of De Congaline Carnival and provides a daily exhibition forum and marketplace for a myriad of free entertainment and local arts, crafts and culture. It is dubbed the "World's Greatest Street Party" as it culminates in a one-day T-shirt band parade.
Barbados Polo Club Event
(246) 432-1802
Carifta Swimming Championships (246) 429-7946
International Deep Sea Tournament A Fisheries Week of Activities culminating on St.Peter's Day. (St.Peter being the Patron Saint of all fishermen).
May:
Celtic Festival
Begins mid-May
(246)426-3387
An annual celebration of culture as Celtic people from around the world visit Barbados for their annual gymanfa-ganu and other events including sports.
International Rugby Sevens
(246)437-3836
Gospelfest
Begins last weekend in May.
(246)426-5940
The Barbados Gospelfest held for the first time in 1993 is scheduled for Whitsuntide weekend, the last weekend in May. It is an international festival and attracts major Gospel talent mainly from the USA, UK and the Caribbean. The festival targets the Christian communities across the globe and receives the support of the Gospel music industry in Barbados.
Carlisle Bay Water Festival
(246)228-5117
Seven different Water-sporting Associations converge on the beach in front of the Boat Yard to highlight their sport.
Banks International Masters Football Festival
(246)428-1182 or (246)435-6988
Over 35's veterans football tournament.
The annual AquaSplash festival includes the Mount Gay Regatta
July:
Crop Over Festival
Begins mid-July
(246)424-0909
Crop Over, a five-week summer festival, is Barbados' most popular and colorful festival. It's origins can be traced back to the 1780's, a time when Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar. At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest - the Crop Over celebration. As the sugar industry in Barbados declined, so too did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940's the festival was terminated completely. However, the festival was revived in 1974 and other elements of Barbadian culture were infused to make the extravaganza that exists today ..... an event that attracts thousands of people from across the globe. It involves community participation in fairs, concerts, cart parades and other cultural activities with an integral component being the Calypso Competition and crowning of the Calypso Monarch.
Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament
(246)427-2623
Named after the renowned Barbadian cricketer, this tournament is now into its fifteenth season and attracts local, regional and international school teams under 19 years of age.
August:
Banks Hockey Festival
(246)426-7347
Open to men's and women's Field Hockey Clubs from around the world. Event's venue now boasts a new Astroturf.
Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship
(246)428-8022
Barbados Secondary Schools International Soccer Tournament
October:
Pan In Paradise
(246)424-6830
International steelband competition for juniors. Groups expected from UK, Holland, Switzerland, Japan, Florida and the Caribbean.
Public Schools Caribbean Rugby Tournament
(246)426-3387
Under 19 & Public Schools Band Festival. Schools are invited from USA, South Africa, Canada and UK.
November:
NIFCA Festival (National Independence Festival of Creative Arts)
(246)424-0909
November 30th is celebrated as Independence Day and is a national holiday in Barbados. The day begins with an elaborate and impressive parade and ceremony at the Garrison Savannah. However, celebrations run throughout November and include sports competitions, fairs, community events, and religious services. One of the highlights of the Independence celebrations is the decorative lighting of Parliament Buildings and businesses throughout the capital Bridgetown, using blue and gold colored bulbs (the national colours). Roundabouts on the highways are also lighted, creating a spectacular view at night. A highlight of the independence celebrations is the (NIFCA) which showcases the artistic talents of Barbadians. This festival encourages Barbadians of all ages to match their talents in the fields of music, singing, dance, drama, writing, fine art, photography and arts and crafts. The festival runs throughout the month of November and culminates with a gala presentation in which the finalists are featured.
Regional Cricket Series
(246)436-1397
Independence Pro Surfing Championship & Banks Pro Long Board Classic
At the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba.
(246) 228-5117
Surfers from East Coast USA, Caribbean and Puerto Rico.
Sir Garfield Sobers Senior Cricket Festival
(246)427-2623
This tournament, named after the renowned Barbados cricketer, is in its sixth year.
Golf Championship
For more information contact the Barbados Golf Association.
December:
Run Barbados 10k & Marathon Series
This series comprises a 10K and Marathon and attracts international runners. There is also a walk.
Each year in the middle of December
Trucks are dressed-up with lights and Christmas decorations and form a parade through the streets of Bridgetown and the outskirts of the city. Hundreds of Barbadians line the route, especially little children, to watch the parade and to be greeted by Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and their favourite cartoon characters - some of whom dispense a few treats along the way! The trucks are sponsored by local companies, with Virgin Atlantic airways playing a major role in 2000. Some trucks feature choirs singing Christmas carols while others play recorded songs of the season.
BARBADOS ISLAND TOURS
Go Here for a listing of Barbados tours we offer - Book securely online
BLOG INFORMATION
Shopping in Barbados
Nightclubs in Barbados
Island Cruises - Cruise Around the Isalnds
Getting Married in Barbados
Of course you can always feel free to contact us - we know the island quite well!
Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean
Linda Thompkins
in barbados things to do
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