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Christmas Barbados holidays
Fed up with the short days and cold nights over Christmas? Barbados boasts longer days in December and with temperatures reaching highs of 29°C, where better to escape to than Barbados? Christmas in Barbados should be on everyone’s bucket list. Experience a different side of island life and relish in the festivities that are splashed across the island.
Barbados is mainly a Christian country, meaning that Christmas is a big deal on the island. The churches are bursting with locals dressed in colourful matching outfits and welcome visitors to join in too. Switch your turkey tradition for a Bajan beach barbecue or indulge in Christmas dinner with a Caribbean flair.
Christmas holidays to Barbados
Christmas traditions
Christmas is a very popular and special time of year in Barbados. Every year thousands of Barbadians flock to Queen’s Park, Bridgetown on Christmas morning to stroll through the park in fine fashion, with traditional, elegant dresses worn by the ladies and tailormade suits modelled by the men. Continue your cultural journey in Queen’s Park by watching the Police Band; a band made up of the local police force, perform Christmas tunes to a joyful crowd. Attending a special Christmas church service is also an important part of Christmas to locals.
Take a drive around Bridgetown to gawp at the extravagant lights decorating people’s homes. Immerse yourself in some true Bajan-style Christmas carols with Carols by Candlelight, held in the Prime Minister’s residence, Ilaro Court, and witness some truly outstanding performances by the island’s most talented musicians.
Best places to celebrate Christmas in Barbados
Get in the Christmas spirit with a visit to one of the island’s many rum distilleries. Mount Gay in Bridgetown is a popular distillery to visit, or pop over to St. Nicholas Abbey in St Peter for a tour of a Jacobean plantation house and scrummy rum tasting. Munch on some delicious Bajan Christmas cake, known as the Great Cake and the famous jug-jug, which is a traditional Bajan dish made mostly of pigeon peas in meat, bone, herbs, and spices broth.
The vibrant, buzzing town of St Lawrence Gap is a firm favourite for festive frivolities. Christ Church is located just 10 minutes by bus from the capital, Bridgetown. With plenty of games, mouthwatering meals and eye-catching festive decorations, we can say with absolute certainty that Christmas in Barbados is loved by everyone of all ages. This is demonstrated by the multitude of return visitors each year, so give our travel specialists a call and get your Bajan Christmas break booked up earlier this year!
Best hotels to celebrate Christmas in Barbados
Whether you’re travelling with family, your better half, or a group, there is something for everyone. Check out Sandy Lane Hotel to witness Santa’s arrival in a unique and memorable way. He’s been known to arrive by a festive Segway, a tractor-drawn sleigh and even by parachute! Sandy Lane also hosts an annual Christmas Day sandcastle competition, which is definitely not to be missed.
Cobblers Cove Hotel located in Speightstown also hosts an unforgettable Christmas meal with festive favourites with a Caribbean twist, lovingly prepared by their talented chefs. Waves Resort & Spa by Elegant Hotels hold a ’12 days of Christmas treasure hunt’, which is loved by everyone.