St Lucia December holidays

Festivals and events in St Lucia in December

If you’re looking to swap winter’s drizzle for a sun-soaked beach, then St Lucia is the Christmas destination for you. There are plenty of festive events taking place, from traditional St Lucian meals featuring roast lamb and plantains to the incredible Festival of Lights and Renewal on the 13th of December. This festival is a celebration of St Lucia’s patron saint and wonderfully fuses catholic and St Lucian traditions. We suggest heading to Castries and joining the welcoming street-party atmosphere, where locals parade through the streets brandishing magnificently crafted lanterns, before heading over to the centre of Castries to witness a magnificent firework display.

Christmas itself is highly anticipated by St Lucians, and many churches offer welcoming services, midnight mass and other festive activities. However, if you would prefer to experience Christmas at your accommodation, hotels and resorts offer themed cocktail parties, Christmas day meals and even visits from Santa for the younger folk. Furthermore, if you’re planning to include New Year’s Eve as a part of your getaway then St Lucia is the perfect destination. St Lucian’s love a good party, and New Year’s Eve is well celebrated both within the towns and the resorts; take your pick from impromptu street parties, club nights and firework displays on beaches.

Top places to visit in St Lucia in December

While each St Lucian hotel and resort offers its own Christmas attractions, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites. If you want to stay near Castries in luxurious, family-friendly accommodation, we recommend the Marigot Bay Resort. For younger guests, there are exciting events to enjoy every day at Zando’s Kid’s Club, including the arrival of a special visitor by jet ski on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some relaxation time on the beach, by the pool or simply by soaking up Marigot Bay’s blend of Calypso and European décor as you sip on a soothing rum punch. On Christmas Eve, Marigot Bay hosts its annual cocktail party, an upbeat occasion featuring a live band and carols, followed by an unforgettable Christmas Day meal at one of the onsite restaurants.

If you’re a couple looking for adult-only luxury, we recommend checking out Rendezvous St Lucia. While there are plenty of events to experience, such as Christmas Eve cocktails, beach day barbecues and live music, there is also the opportunity to relax and just be, all within the incredible ambience provided by the sweeping expanse of jungle and beach.

Further luxury can be found further south near Soufriere at the Jade Mountain Resort. Jade Mountain has been rated as one of the best hotels in the entire Caribbean, and all for good reason. Featuring incredible views of the Pitons, Anse Chastanet and the ocean, fantastic cuisine and all-inclusive service, a stay at Jade Mountain is a truly unforgettable experience. Furthermore, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resort work together to put on one of the most anticipated New Year’s Eve events in St Lucia, with dancing, firework displays and live music all tailored to be the ultimate New Year’s Eve party.

What’s the weather like in St Lucia in December?

In December, St Lucia has an average temperature of 27°C. While it can get as hot as 30°C, the trade winds offer a cooling balm to the more humid, hot days. There can be brief showers, but the most likely weather forecast is for eight hours of glorious sunshine every day.

What to pack for a holiday in St Lucia in December

• Pack light clothing, swimwear and shoes suited to a summer holiday.
• Comfy, rubbed-soled shoes for excursions and light hikes or hiking boots for longer treks.
• Sun cream is an integral part of a Caribbean packing list. Ensure that your sun cream is listed as reef-friendly – many commercially sold sun creams contain chemicals like oxybenzone which have been linked to coral bleaching.
• Sunglasses and a hat.
• A jumper or cardigan for the cooler evenings.
• A smart outfit for the evening.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Travel plug adapter.
• Prescription medicines.
• Tote bag for shopping and to use as a beach bag.
• Snorkelling gear if you wish to snorkel from the beach.
• Camouflage is illegal in St Lucia, so don’t pack your khaki cargo shorts.
• Don’t forget your Christmas best.