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Easter Barbados holidays
Easter is the second-largest religious celebration in the Christian and Barbadian calendar that falls over the dry season. Easter is a time to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The island is bursting with vibrant colour and local traditions recognising this important period in the Christian calendar.
Immerse yourself in the Barbadian and Christian culture on the island over the Easter period, with everything on offer from extravagant gala meals held at various restaurants and hotels to arts and crafts events and dancing. There are also some superstitions associated with the Easter season in Barbados traditions, for example, it is frowned upon to swim in the sea on Good Friday as people believe this is a time of death. At noon on Good Friday, locals gather to bruise a physic nut tree, which results in the tree bleeding, much in the same way Christ did on the cross.
Easter holidays to Barbados
Easter traditions in Barbados
Barbados is predominantly a Christian country and Easter is an important celebration. In addition to the Christian acknowledgement of Easter, Barbadians also have their own local traditions to celebrate Easter, one being kite-flying. This is symbolic of Jesus rising from the dead and returning to heaven. Many families will build their own colourful kites. On Good Friday people will usually gather at the Garrison Savannah to take part in fun kite-flying competitions and challenges. Across the island, schools and communities take part in Easter bonnet parades. Witness the hordes of spectacularly dressed locals show off their homemade creations, in a truly heart-warming fashion.
Best places to celebrate Easter in Barbados
All over the island, you will find special Easter celebrations. Many hotels will put on special Easter celebrations. Many Barbadians opt for fish instead of meat during the Easter season; head to the Oistins Fish Festival, held annually in Oistins, about a 15-minute drive from the lively capital of Bridgetown. Oistins is a hub of activity during Easter and the town is bursting with festival fun, including boat races, live performances, and various competitions. The horse racing venue, Garrison Savannah, in Bridgetown is where everyone flocks to for the kite-flying festivities, so visit here to watch the sky being lit up by all the colourful kites.
Best hotels to celebrate Easter in Barbados
Colony Club by Elegant Hotels hosts a range of fun activities for adults and kids to enjoy over Easter. Try their Cooking with Rum class to add to your list of culinary specialities. For the kids, they offer traditional beach games and a fantastic Easter egg hunt. While the little ’uns are hunting their eggs, the adults can experience Colony Club’s rum tasting in their Rum Vault. They have a full programme of entertainment during Easter, so make sure you don’t miss out! Other hotels we love are Sandals Adult-Only Resort, Fairmont Royal Pavillion and Coral Reef Club.