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The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and Private Companies organise a number of festivals and special events which are held at scheduled times throughout the year. Some of these festivals are unique to Barbados and generate great interest and excitement at home and abroad. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to participate since they provide an excellent opportunity to capture the music, and experience the full impact of the Barbadian culture.
The Barbados Jazz Festival
This annual event brings together top billing performers from the U.S.A., Canada, UK, Latin America and the Caribbean with the best of Barbadian artistes in an entertainment package that attracts much international attention. Concerts are staged against the varied backdrop of tropical Barbadian life.
Usually held on the second week-end in January. This event is well established in the Barbados Calendar of Special Events
The Holetown Festival
A family attraction celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the first permanent settlers in Barbados on February 17, 1627. The location of their landing, Holetown, hosts a week of continuous activity during the third week in February. An atmosphere of the old and the new combines in other ways with folk and gospel singing, poetry, drama, side walk art shows, sports and games and street parades. Highlights are the floodlit Tattoo and night marches by the band of the Royal Barbados Police Force, and the Queen of the Festival Pageant.
Oistins Fish Festival
Held on Easter Weekend each year. This festival focuses on the South Coast of Barbados, more particularly Oistins; and pays tribute to the skills of the island’s fishing folk. The local fishermen and women demonstrate their expertise at fishing, fish boning and boat racing, while spectators enjoy dancing to steel band and mingling with Barbadians on the beach, in the market place and the rum shops that line the roadside. Food stalls, arts and crafts and demonstrations by the Coast Guard are part of the activities.
The Holders Season
An exciting Season of Opera, Shakespeare, Polo and Cricket in and around the historic Holders Plantation House. The festival continues to attract a large following from the U.S.A. and UK and has received rave reviews from the International Press. The Season is organised and staged by Mr. & Mrs. John Kidd, the English owners of Holders, and is unique to Barbados.
Congaline Music Festival
This Festival celebrates the variety of music genres in the region as well as expose industry professionals to the local, regional and international industry experts during the symposium. This Festival is usually held at the end of April.
Barbados Gospelfest
Designed for those who are looking for a wholesome vacation experience. It is held on the last week of May. This festival is unique to Barbados and features top international gospel singers and choirs from the U.S.A., Canada, UK, the Caribbean and Barbados in a week of concerts and Christian events. The main concert features back to back performances by a variety of artists who bring original renditions of the Gospel in song. A spiritual celebration used by Barbadians for generations to express their African heritage through music.
Crop Over Festival
The most popular festival in Barbados with origins in the Sugar Plantations of Barbados. Crop Over then, as it is now, was an annual celebration of the end of a hard working season of growing and harvesting the sugar cane crop. Highlight of summer activities on the island, this three (3) week festival runs from mid July to early August. It is a lively showcase of all facets of Barbadian culture. Throughout the festival, calypso rhythms fill the air. There is a “cohobblopot” of drama, dance and music, and the Pic-o-de-Crop and Kadooment Day when costume bands fill the streets.
National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA)
This important festival is held annually to commemorate Barbados’ Independence on November 30, 1966. Introduced in 1973 to provide a forum for all Barbadians to showcase their creative skills in areas ranging from dance, music, photography and art. There are no limits to the competitions which move from the community through parishes to the national level. The festival ends on Independence Day with an Award ceremony.
The Pelican Dooflicky
The Pelican Dooflicky is a unique cultural extravaganza created to give visitors exciting glimpses into the colourful history and traditions of Barbados.
The Pelican Dooflicky is held every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m at Pelican Village.
The fine works of Bajan artists and craftspeople are on display in over 30 shops.
Free transportation is available from Hotel to Pelican and Back – Please book with Hotel Activities or Front Desk. Deadline for bookings: 3:00 p.m. of day prior to event
 See the Barbados calendar of events
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