Christmas British Virgin Islands holidays

Christmas traditions in the British Virgin Islands

Christmas is a hugely popular holiday celebrated in the British Virgin Islands. The traditional Christmas in the BVI has many similar elements similar to back home. Listen to the neighbouring locals enjoying carol singing and offering traditional food and drink to anyone and everyone as they celebrate their culture during the holiday season. Enjoy carols with a difference with Fungi bands and their eclectic collection of instruments, including washboards and pans, producing some great reggae beats.

On Main Street, in Tortola’s capital of Road Town, Christmas shop in your shorts and flip flops in the glorious tropics weather. Here you will also find the BVI Christmas Tree, a Fishing Rod Tree also commonly known as a Century Plant with its tall succulent spike spray painted silver every year and used as the focal point for the annual Main Street Christmas Festival. Encompassing Caribbean culture and hospitality at its finest, enjoy some traditional rum and spiced guavaberries whilst witnessing the Islands most talented musicians from Christmas Eve through to New Years.

Best places to celebrate Christmas in the British Virgin Islands

We’ve handpicked a few of the best places to go to for this special day, both on land and on the shimmering waters. Many restaurants throughout the islands celebrate Christmas by offering a grand feast, including the famed Dove Restaurant and Bar in Road Town. The elegant establishment embraces the festive spirit with grand decorations and a fantastic live band. Experience similar vibes at the Bitter end Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda and Cooper Island Beach club who also both offer festivities for the whole family. Nearby local homes will be decked with ornaments and palm trees decorated as Christmas trees, showing just how joyful the bustling BVI’s are at Christmas.

Why not spend Christmas on the glorious open waters, chartering your own sailboat or yacht on the mellow swells of the warm and picturesque Caribbean waters. With great advance planning you could create a feast onboard as elaborate or simple as you’d like for you and your family. Chartering from Tortola’s main harbour, decorate your boat in traditional Christmas get-up and invite some of your neighbours onboard for a drink. While you’re at it, join in the annual Christmas boat procession that travel through Island to Island in the glistening sunset on the big day.

Best hotels to celebrate Christmas in the British Virgin Islands

One of our favourite hotels on the Islands is the Scrub Island Resort. Luxury living set within the magic of the BVI, your own pristine island retreat with divine secluded beaches and crystal-clear waters. Take part in the wide range of activities for the whole family including diving, sailing, hiking and kayaking in an impressive transparent kayak with guided night tours of the iridescent reef of Scrub Island below! As a half board hotel, it’s a perfect place for the whole family to explore the authentic cuisines of the other nearby islands, or enjoy the onsite restaurants offering Caribbean excellence, including the big Christmas feast put on annually.

Another hotel to fall in love with is the Peter Island Resort and Spa. A private island retreat offering some of the best amenities in the whole BVI including the ‘BVI’s best spa’. Located in a prime hidden location set on 1,800-acre oasis, the hotel offers plenty of space and activities for family members of all ages. Check out one of its family style villas, and with an option to upgrade to an all-inclusive package, indulge in a perfect Christmas with a fabulous feast and great entertainment laid on all day long.