Events calendar Guadeloupe

Every 4 years, this legendary single-handed transatlantic race brings together the world's greatest skippers (professional and amateur), who must complete the same course without outside help on boats divided into several classes. The race starts in Saint-Malo at the beginning of November, and finishes in Pointe-à-Pitre after a 3,542-mile crossing. Over the years, records have been broken. The latest is Charles Caudrelier's Ultim class record of 6 days, 19 hours in 2022.

Two Guadeloupean women are at the initiative of this event created in 1992, which focuses on the promotion of auteur cinema through documentaries, short and feature films that are shown in most cities of the archipelago during the entire event. The FEMI organizes meetings between the different actors of the film industry (international, local, Caribbean). Each year, a jury composed of personalities of the 7th Art awards the best films during the closing ceremony.

This day is a public holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery. Although the abolition decree in Paris dates from April 27, 1848, it was not applied until the news was officially received in each colony (May 22 in Martinique, May 27 in Guadeloupe and June 10 in French Guiana). The 87,000 slaves in Guadeloupe were not considered free until May 27, 1848. Commemorations are held everywhere, notably at the Delgrès fort in Basse-Terre and the Fleur d'épée fort in Gosier. Administrations and supermarkets are closed all day.

Zouk lovers, this is the festival for you: the biggest names in this West Indian musical style come together for this annual event. The program includes singing competitions for both live groups and DJs (with audience voting), called "Les tremplins du FIZ". It's also an opportunity to discover local artists (visual artists, painters, sculptors and poets) at exhibitions dedicated to them, and to take part in round-table discussions, concerts and shows devoted to zouk.