Events calendar Saint Barthélemy

What a contrast to celebrate Christmas under the twinkling lights of tropical evenings! For almost a month, the capital dresses up in its most beautiful festive attire and makes the locals dance. The wealthy tourists place their yachts near the stands held by associations of the island. A festive frenzy where everyone mixes in a good mood. We dance the zouk, we nibble homemade accras, we drink arranged rum. We dance in the middle of the street under the lively energy of the musical float of "Chanté Noël". It is a unique moment to live!

This friendly regatta around the island is organized by a handful of enthusiasts, including the Saint-Barth Yacht Club and the Port of Gustavia, and takes place every year on December 31. The regatta is open to yachts and pleasure craft in the port of Gustavia for the festive season. To admire the show, you can go to the heights of Anse des Cayes, Lurin and Gourverneur, to the parking lot behind the hospital, to the Gustavia lighthouse, to Anse des Flamands, or to the Colombier orientation table.

Every year, some of the northern hemisphere's jet set flee the winter to Saint-Barthélemy for the festive season. At this time of year, the port of Gustavia is invaded by yachts and the stars gather for private parties. For ordinary people, clubs and restaurants offer special menus. The port of Gustavia, with its musical entertainment, is THE place to celebrate New Year's Eve to the sound of foghorns from anchored ships and to admire the fireworks in the bay.

Cultural festival commemorating the twinning between St. Barths and the Swedish city of Pitea. Ti Moun (3 km race open to children and amateurs) and Gustavialopper (12 km race open to local adults or visitors) are organised. Craft village and great festive moments with traditional dances, tasting of recipes from the Swedish period (1784-1878). Numerous activities related to the sea and the beach enrich this twinning festival (fishing competition, beach volleyball, regatta...).

This event was commemorated until 2012 on 27 May, the day of the abolition of slavery in Guadeloupe, the home island until 2007. The Territorial Council of Saint-Barth unanimously adopted a deliberation within the Territorial Council in June 2009 for the recognition of the date of 9 October. The decree of 23 April 2012 confirmed this change. In Swedish times, slavery was abolished on 9 October 1847.

Every year, the Saint Barth Tennis Club organizes the Open de Saint-Barthélemy, the must-attend event for tennis fans in Saint-Barth and the summer's sporting highlight. It's an official tournament open to all, adults and children alike. It takes place on the tennis courts of the Plaine de Saint-Jean. In 2023, six categories were represented: men's singles, women's singles, veterans and youth, as well as men's and mixed doubles. Licenses and medical certificates are required for entry to the tournament.

Carnival remains the biggest popular festival of the year. The king of the festival is called Vaval, a character who incarnates evil and who is burned at the end of the event. Several days of festivities with the participation of school children. Then comes the Vidé de Mardi-Gras, which is the day when a huge parade is organised in the island's capital, Gustavia. A great procession of colours and costumed groups: a musical and frenzied parade along the quays.

Three days to celebrate traditional sailing. A gathering of traditional boats from the Caribbean, races in joy and good humour, a market on the quays with products that have sailed up the Caribbean bow by these same boats, concerts in the evening and a gathering in Colombier on Sunday. This warm and human-sized regatta is an opportunity to remember the values carried by the sea and life in the Caribbean. It's a special opportunity to discover old rigs rather than attend a competition.

The firefighters are celebrating and it's more than just a tradition. They organize a magnificent parade in Gustavia. On board their engines, they parade slowly and cheerfully for the pleasure of the whole population. The day's program is full of activities: medal ceremony followed by a wine reception, belote contest, etc. And of course, the traditional firemen's ball is one of the most awaited events of the year!

The world's most beautiful sailboats compete in Gustavia Bay for the pleasure of sailing enthusiasts. Launched in 2010, this multi-class competition brings together the best crews in the world of high-end and international sailing. It is an opportunity to see famous sailors, as well as Super Yachts, Maxis, Classics, Racings, Racing Cruisers and Racing Multihulls. During the Day-Off, relaxation on the beach and entertainment.

The island expresses itself: make way for the living arts! Artists from Saint-Barth of the SB Artists company, but also from neighboring islands and even from the metropolis come to participate in this week of performances. The leitmotiv of this festival is to promote exchanges with artists and to offer a cultural entertainment to the inhabitants. The island being small and the cultural activities reduced, the festival is always appreciated by the tourists and the locals.

The Saint-Barthélemy Caribbean Film Festival, organised since 1996, aims to promote films and filmmakers from the Caribbean and Europe. It is also a forum for professionals to meet and a dialogue between European and Caribbean producers. Since the launch, 200 films have been screened through the various editions of the festival. The screenings take place in different places such as Lorient on the beach, in Flanders...

This festival was born from the crazy bet of two friends, Charles Magras and Frances de Broff. Year after year, the festival has been enriched by musical genres (classical, jazz, etc.) and the arrival of artists of different nationalities. This festival is also open to the discovery of dance. In January, there is a special atmosphere, in the spirit of the island: all the organisers are volunteers, most of the artists perform for free.