SOMETHING’S HAPPENING: JULY & AUGUST 2017
Every month in Barbados there are always a variety of exciting activities and events taking place. However, there is no time of year that can quite compare to the months of July and August. With the Grand Kadooment festival approaching, these months are packed with lead up events, festivals and parties for everyone to enjoy. There is never a dull moment on the island during the Crop Over season.
CROP OVER EVENTS
The Crop Over Festival in Barbados ends with the Grand Kadooment Parade (similar to Carnival), with many fun events leading up to this (which happens on the 1st Monday each August). The season celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest, and is unique to other Carnival festivals in other Caribbean islands.
- July 1st, 5th, 8th 15th & 22nd – De Big Show
Location: The Sea Rocks Dome, Maxwell Coast Road, Christ Church
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 8:00 PM
Admission: TBC
This is the most celebrated Calypso Tent in Barbados! Enjoy a spectacular mix of the traditional calypso beats and sweet soca sounds. Top calypsonians and soca artistes will perform!
- July 14th – Pan Fusion
Location: Ilaro Court, 2 Mile Hill, St Michael
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: General – $60-$85 BDS/Premium All-Inclusive Lounge – $230 BDS
Tickets available online: https://secure.ticketpal.com/affiliate/premiereventswebsite/event/CROP-OVER-2017—Pan-Fusion
Pan Fusion is one of the many National Cultural Foundation events scheduled for the Crop Over Season. This is a jazz and steel pan concert. Performers TBC. Mark the date in your calendar!
- July 16th – Pan Pun De Sand
Location: Brandon’s Beach, St Michael
Time: 3:00 PM
Admission: FREE!
Another National Cultural Foundation event – the biggest beach party of the year! List of performers and more details to come!
- July 23rd – Soca On De Hill
Location: Farley Hill National Park, St. Peter
Time: 12:00 PM
Admission: Starting at $50 BDS ++
Tickets available online: https://secure.ticketpal.com/affiliate/premiereventswebsite/event/Flow-Soca-on-de-Hill—First-in-Line
This is an exciting all-day concert celebrating the music of the Crop Over Festival. Live performers from Barbados and the region add a fun Caribbean flavour and vibe to the Hill! This is the world’s greatest soca party!
- July 30th – Soca Royale
Location: Bushy Park Barbados, St. Phillip
Time: TBC
Admission: TBC
There are 2 competitions – The Sweet Soca Monarch and The Party Monarch where contestants sing only up-tempo party calypsos, suitable for jammin’ on the road (Kadooment Day). More details to come.
http://www.bushyparkbarbados.com/Soca-Royale,id-118
- August 4th/5th – Crop Over Festival – Foreday Morning (aka “Mud Mas”)
Location: ends at Spring Garden
Time: Late Friday night/Early Saturday morning
Admission: Free to watch/cost associated if you jump with a band
This is a street party where thousands of revelers jump and dance behind music trucks into all hours of the morning. Be prepared to get full of mud and paint!
- August 5th – 7th – Bridgetown Market
Location: Spring Garden Highway
Time: 10:00 AM
Admission: Free!
This is a huge street fair with vendors of all kinds selling their wares. The latest calypso music fills the air while patrons dance and fill their stomachs.
- August 5th – Elevate
Location: TBC
Time: 6 PM
Admission: $80 BDS in advance/$100 BDS at the door
Tickets available online: https://ticketlinkz.com/elevate/
The ultimate premium beach party experience! Join in as the sun sets in paradise and let your spirits go free!
- August 7th – Grand Kadooment
Location: From the Barbados National Stadium to Spring Garden Highway
Time: 9:00 AM
Admission: Free to watch/cost associated if you jump with a band
This carnival parade features large bands with members dressed in elaborate costumes to depict various themes.
Designers compete for the coveted Designer of the Year prize while the revelers are intent on having a good time!
The revelers make their way from the National Stadium to Spring Garden accompanied by the pulsating rhythm of calypso music. People line the route to watch and photograph the bands go by, joining in the merriment where they can. When the revelers reach Spring Garden, the party continues with more fantastic music, lots of food and drink and, for some, a quick swim at the nearby beach. A grand end to a grand festival.
SPORTING EVENTS
Barbados offers a wide array of sporting activities for competitors and spectators alike… There’s sure to be something for everyone!
Sailing
- July 1st – 2nd: Harris Paints J24 Regatta
Location: Barbados Yacht Club
- July 9th: Cruising Club Regatta
Location: Barbados Cruising Club, Bay Street, St Michael
http://www.barbadoscruisingclub.org/
Horse Racing
- July 1st & 15th and August 1st, 12th & 26th: Horse Racing
Location: Barbados Garrison Savannah, St Michael
Tickets: Can be purchased at location on the day of the race. Prices for the stands cost between $5-$20 USD. Day memberships are also available.
https://www.barbadosturfclub.org/
Cricket
- July 11th, 13th, 16th & 17th – Caribbean Premier League
Location: Kensington Oval
Please note that event dates and times are subject to change without notice.
http://www.sportingbarbados.com/calendar?date_filter[value][year]=2017&tid=6
- August 29th & 31st – Caribbean Premier League T20
Location: Kensington Oval
Time: 4:00 PM
Golf
- July 15th & August 19th – Courtesy Monthly Medal
- July 29th – Nissan Golf Championship
Location: Barbados Golf Club, Durants, Christ Church
Hockey
- August 20th – 26th: Barbados International Hockey Festival
Location: Various
http://www.barbadoshockey.org/barbados-hockey-festival-2017/4581603372
ENTERTAINMENT, SHOWS AND EVENTS
Barbados is proud to boast lots of great local talent! Catch some fantastic live music at our casual & fun beach bars!
- Live Music every Sunday (different artists/bands featured weekly)
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: South Coast – Copacabana, Bay Street, St Michael
https://www.facebook.com/copacabanabb/
- Live Music every Sunday
Time: From around 4:00 PM
Location: West Coast – Mullins Beach Bar
FARMERS MARKETS
Summer is a great time of year to unwind and browse our local farmers markets! Besides wonderful local produce, many vendors come out to showcase their locally made craft products or Bajan treats. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Brighton Farmer’s Market – a lovely morning in the beautiful Bajan countryside
Days/Times: Every Saturday morning, 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Brighton, St George (Country/Middle of Barbados)
- Hastings Farmer’s Market – a contemporary style farmers market situated around the trendy, healthy café, Art Splash!
Days/Times: Every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Art Splash, Hastings, Christ Church (South Coast)
- Holders Farmer’s Market – set up on the Historic grounds of Holders House overlooking the beautiful polo field
Days/Times: Every Sunday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Holders, St James (West Coast)
GENERAL NOTES
Special Occasions
If anyone in your party is celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, our Concierge Can team is happy to make any special arrangements! From a a special gift or a private catamaran cruise at sunset to a romantic dinner at one of our world-class restaurants, or in-villa entertainment or even a photographer to commemorate the day, let us take care of it for you to give your loved one a great surprise!
Bank Holidays Reminder
- August 1st – Emancipation Day
- August 7th – Kadooment Day
Supermarkets and banks etc will be closed. Let our Concierge Can team take care of stocking your holiday home with groceries, wines & spirits or ready-made meals. (Especially helpful for any guests arriving between Friday July 30th and Wednesday August 3rd and Friday August 4th and Tuesday August 8th as the grocery stores will be quite hectic!)
Supermarket Closure Reminder
Massy Supermarket in Sunset Crest (Holetown) is closed for renovations until the end of this year. Concierge Can pre-stock your holiday home with groceries and make other recommendations of where you can shop once you are on-island!
