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The island's top event is the Crop-Over Festival, which originated in colonial times as a celebration of the sugar cane harvest. Festivities stretch over a three-week period beginning in mid-July. There are spirited calypso competitions and fairs around the island. The festival culminates with a Carnival-like costume parade on Kadooment Day (the first Monday in August).
In February, the Holetown Festival celebrates the 1627 arrival of the first English settlers on Barbados. Holetown's week-long festivities include street fairs, a music festival at the historic parish church and a road race. The Oistins Fish Festival, held over Easter weekend, commemorates the signing of the Charter of Barbados. It's a seaside event focusing on boat races, fish-boning competitions, local foods, crafts and dancing. The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts, held throughout November, features talent contests in dance, drama and singing. Performances by the finalists are held on Independence Day (30 November).
There are also a handful of international sporting events, including the Barbados Windsurfing World Cup, held at Silver Sands in January, and the Caribbean Surfing Championship, held in early November at Bathsheba.
Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
21 January - Errol Barrow Day
March or April - Good Friday, Easter Monday
28 April - Heroes Day
1 May - Labour Day
Eighth Monday after Easter - Whit-Monday
1 August - Emancipation Day
First Monday in August - Kadooment Day
First Monday in October - United Nations Day
30 November - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
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