Celebration time
Start your May off right with classic jazz and world rhythms from a multitude of genres at the renowned St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (30 April–12 May), set against the iconic backdrop of the Pitons.
The arrival of indentured labourers to the Caribbean from India is observed across the region — often called Indian Arrival Day — with traditional foods, re-enactments, dancing, and other commemorations in 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).
Meanwhile, Dominica is a hub of cultural activity this May. Each Saturday, explore stunning mountain peaks, waterfalls, rivers, and rugged terrain along the Waitukubuli National Trail at Hike Fest. Don’t miss Jazz n’ Creole (5 May) and the month-long Dominica Festival of Arts (DOMFESTA), with incredible performances and cultural showcases.
Indulge your palate at premier restaurants and eateries during Antigua & Barbuda Restaurant Week (4–19 May). Cheer on anglers or weigh your catch at the Antigua & Barbuda Fishing Tournament (16–19 May). Savour the lively atmosphere at Barbuda’s Caribana Festival (20–24 May). And if you have a special someone in your life, be sure to check out opportunities to celebrate love during Romance Month (June).
Steep descents make for some of the most thrilling rides at MTB Madness (4–5 May), also known as the Tobago Bike Festival. The Cross Country Races welcome kids, newcomers, and adults on the first day, while experienced riders earn bragging rights on the final day at the three-stage Enduro Races.
Caribbean cinema is on show at the Third Horizon Film Festival (9–12 May) in Miami, and the Hairouna Film Festival (24–25 May) in St Vincent & the Grenadines, inspiring and honouring our diaspora’s talented and passionate filmmaking community.
Some of the top folk performers in Celtic music, including World Champion Pipers Willie McCallum and Roddy MacLeod, perform at the Barbados Celtic Festival (16–19 May). And more glorious music from local, regional, and international acts makes a heavenly impact at the Barbados Gospelfest (26 May–2 June).
Leatherback nesting season (March–September) reaches its peak at this time of year. Enjoy seeing both nesting mothers and baby hatchlings as they emerge several weeks later. It’s magical! Other sea turtle species nest across the region, often under the watchful eyes of conservation groups and turtle-watching guides.
At the Grenada Chocolate & Rum Festival (17–19 May), channel your inner Willy Wonka as you meet sustainable cocoa farmers, dance the cocoa, make your own chocolate-inspired dishes, and discover the fascinating realms of chocolate and rum.
There’s tonnes of action down in Guyana at this time of year, from Drag Racing at South Dakota (19 May), to the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup (2–8 June, with the semi-final on 27 June), and delectable dining through Restaurant Week (21–30 June).
After a two-decade hiatus, Sashi (23–26 May) returns to Ocho Rios in Jamaica with a highly anticipated line-up of superstars, including more than a dozen top R&B, hip-hop, afrobeats, and reggae artists, plus Sashi’s signature fashion show.
The wait is finally over for the biggest tarmac rally on Barbados’ intricate road network. Scores of motorsport enthusiasts assemble for the Rally Show and King of the Hill “shakedown” (25–26 May), which is used to seed the running order for 20 special stages at the main Rally Barbados event (31 May–2 June).
This June, the West Indies makes history by co-hosting the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup (1–29 June) with the United States, featuring matches in Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and in three US states (Florida, New York, and Texas). Learn more on page 28.
The Eleuthera Pineapple Festival (7–8 June) in The Bahamas is a chance to participate in pineapple eating and cooking contests; see fire dancers; experience the Junkanoo rush; and play some traditional games.
There’s more sporting action in Tobago in early June as triathletes of all ages and levels of experience compete at the Rainbow Cup Tobago (8 June).
Up north, enjoy the Toronto Jazz Festival (21–30 June), and Pride Toronto (28–30 June), featuring “a Dyke March, a Trans March and the Toronto Pride Parade”.
As June comes to a close, A-list musicians headline the St Kitts Music Festival (27–29 June) with gospel, soul, soca, jazz, R&B, blues, reggae, and more; while, in Trinidad, T&T Bioblitz (29–30 June) sees scientists, students and nature-lovers surveying the biodiversity in and around beautiful Guayaguayare.