Celebration time
Allow the unmissable St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (30 April–11 May) to enthral you with its shimmering lineup of diverse local, regional and international musical talent — on par with the island’s natural beauty.
Four jump-ups! The Causeway, Opening, J’ouvert Morning, and Closing jump-ups are just some of the favourites at Sint Maarten Carnival (25 April–5 May). Stick around for more fun in the sun at the National Dinghy Championship (10–11 May).
Enjoy cultural adventures, plus creative and artistic showcases — from theatre to music — at DOMFESTA (1–31 May), and Jazz n’ Creole Festival (4 May) in Dominica. Fondly known as The Nature Island, explorers also trek the most forested island in the Lesser Antilles at Hike Fest (first three Saturdays in May).
Set in the rolling hills of Tobago, with exceptional views of the Caribbean coastline, May MTB Madness/Tobago Mountain Bike Madness (2–4 May) offers adrenaline-pumping cross-country races, endurance races, and multiple stages for the entire family — from novices to elite riders.
Authentic local flavours step up to the plate (wink wink), mesmerising attendees of Antigua & Barbuda’s inaugural Culinary Month in May. Events include FAB Fest; Food Forum; Eat Like a Local; and the popular Antigua & Barbuda Restaurant Week (4–18 May).
Down in Trinidad, Bocas Lit Fest (1–4 May), the Anglophone Caribbean’s leading annual literary festival turns 15! Under the theme “Always Coming Home” (borrowed from a poem by BVI author and 2020 winner of the OCM Bocas Prize Richard Georges), the annual festival remains a “homecoming” for Caribbean writers and lit enthusiasts to share stories, debate ideas, and celebrate the region’s best literature.
What do the turtle tracks of nesting turtles (called “batabano” in Cayman) have to do with Cayman’s carnival? It’s a reason to celebrate and pay homage to Cayman’s turtling traditions! Immerse yourself in Cayman’s carnival culture at Batabano Cayman Carnival (3–12 May), Braccanal Carnival (15–19 May) on Cayman Brac — then top it all off with Out of this World Music Festival (31 May) and CayMAS (28 June–7 July) on Grand Cayman.
Forget reminiscing about the best “cocoa tea”. Embark on a chocolate adventure among global chocolate specialists at the Grenada Chocolate Festival (22–27 May), showcasing chocolate inspired cuisine, the chocolate making process, and opportunities to wander through the Theobroma cacao forests.
Passion is the price of entry at Jamaica’s Calabash International Literary Festival (23–25 May). Experience readings, open-mic sessions, and discussions from literary heavyweights like Haitian author Edwidge Danticat and Jamaican Booker Prize winner Marlon James. It’s a vibe!
Barbados celebrates her musical history with visiting bagpipers, fiddlers, folksingers, and dancers at the Celtic Festival (15–18 May). Then, adrenaline junkies and motorsport lovers unite at Rally Barbados (30 May–1 June) — the most anticipated 20-stage tarmac rally in the Caribbean, featuring renowned international, local, and regional drivers.
Indian Arrival Day (aka Arrival Day in some territories) commemorates the first labourers from India to Grenada (1 May), Guyana (5 May, public holiday), St Lucia and Martinique (6 May), Jamaica (10 May), Trinidad & Tobago (30 May, public holiday), St Vincent & the Grenadines (1 June), and Suriname (5 June), with re-enactments, traditional foods, concerts and more.
Dare to enter a pineapple eating contest? That’s just one of the fun pineapple-based activities in store at Gregory Town’s famous Pineapple Festival (6–7 June) on Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Be sure to participate in the pineapple cooking contest, traditional games, and the Junkanoo Rush-out too.
Even if you’re not fishing, the festive atmosphere at the Antigua & Barbuda Sport Fishing Tournament (4–8 June) — one of the best sporting events on Antigua’s calendar — offers up thrills and lots of camaraderie, with games, live music, food, and competitions.
Back in Trinidad, one of the oldest river festivals — Ganga Dhara (12 June) — returns to the Marianne River (said to be consecrated with a time capsule from India containing water and dust from over 2,000 pilgrimage sites) in the Blanchisseuse district to honour Hindu deity Mother Ganga’s descent to earth. Devotees wearing yellow or white perform pujas (prayers) and give offerings. Later in June, Muslims celebrate Hosay (26–6 July) across different parts of the islands.
Which songs are you longing to hear the star-studded cast of the St Kitts Music Festival (26–28 June) perform? Vybz Kartel, Jennifer Hudson, Yung Bredda, Shenseea, Christopher Martin, Ayra Starr and more are all part of the scintillating line-up.
Several days of partying and exploring the British Virgin Islands’ undersea wrecks and newest art reefs attract participants to BVI Wreck Week (15–21 June). Learn more about the BVI’s current restoration project and seafaring history before trying some of the country’s extraordinary culinary offerings at BVI Restaurant Week (28 June–5 July).
Calling all Caribbean entrepreneurs and investors! Over US$250 million in potential investment opportunities await at IGNITE 2025 (23–25 June) in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Hosted by Caribbean Dragons, this springboard summit aims to provide mentorship, training, and strategic support while connecting Caribbean start-ups to global investors.
While in Trinidad’s capital city, peek into the arts scene. The Astor Johnson Repertory Dance Theatre presents She Too (27–29 June), dramatising the journeys of women. Distinguished choreographers, some of the finest dancers, and a collaboration with the US-based Los Alamitos Ballet Theatre are part of the production.