Celebrate Barbados’ Holetown Festival

Make an excuse for a sunny getaway this February, when you head to Barbados Feb. 10–17 for the annual Holetown Festival. Taking place in beautiful Holetown, Barbados, Holetown Festival celebrates the arrival of the first settlers in the area, Feb. 17, 1627.

The first Holetown Festival took place in 1977, the 350th anniversary of the first English settlement on Barbados. A week-long celebration, it takes place every February and includes lots of cultural activities and Barbados traditions, from folk singing and dancing to sports and games, parades and vendors to traditional cuisine. Some of the highlights include an opening gala, carnival, pageant, classic car parade and nightly concerts and karaoke competitions.

If you’re visiting Barbados during the festival, it’s also the perfect time to take a bus tour. These two-hour guided tours kick off at the Holetown Library at 10 a.m. on both Feb. 13 and 15, and the tour is only $25 per person. It’s an excellent chance to check out more of the area’s history.

If you love traveling with charity runs in mind, this is another opportunity to do so. The Sagicor/HIV AIDS Commission 7K Road Run and The Michael Parravicino 7K Road Walk both take place Feb. 18. The registration fee is only $10 and the races start at Frederick Smith Secondary School.

Several educational lectures are also given as part of the festival. Check out speakers covering topics like the anatomy of Barbados place names, the island’s historic aristocracy and more.