Events calendar Caraïbes

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.

For 25 years the fishing competition at the beginning of May has invited amateur and Professional fishermen in an exciting and competitive event. The variety of catch is impressive, a pleasure atmosphere hovers on this event.

Dominica became independent from Great Britain on November 3, 1978. Every year on this date, festivities take place all over the island over a four-week period. The festivities feature a wide range of cultural activities, including gastronomy, dance and traditional music. It's also an opportunity to showcase the country's diverse cultural influences, with bèlè, an African dance, and quadrille and waltz from Europe rubbing shoulders. The traditional Wob Dwiyet dress is worn.

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.

These two days bring together world, music and stands with fish dishes. 

This week of celebrations dates back to September 19, 1930. The Kalinagos used to trade barter with nearby French territories (Guadeloupe and Marie-Galante). The island authorities deemed this an illicit trade and banned it, provoking conflict with the Kalinago community. Since 1981, Kalinago Week has been held on the island, with the aim of strengthening the ties between the community. Festivities, activities and debates are open to the public and provide an opportunity to discover this people.

Slavery was abolished by the British government in 1833 on the island of Dominica, before the French colonies. The Dominican people pay tribute to their ancestors with a festival featuring song, poetry, theater, dance and performance. Tribute to these victims of slavery is also paid through a national hike (Neg Marron Emancipation Hike), which retraces the route taken by the slaves of Dominica.

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.

This festival offers a series of six cultural events taking place on Thursday, 5 Thursday between mid-June and early August. Performances of various music artists from the Bahamas, a Junkanoo parade, fire dancers, Emptiness dance contest (typical Caribbean) and a myriad of stands for drinking and eating.

An annual event attracting hundreds of visitors and supporters to encourage the master of water. The competitors come from all the islands for this sporty and festive rendezvous. The three days of festivities are animated by a golf contest at Treasure Cay Beach Resort Golf. Tasting of local products.

On 18 November 2003, the bicentenary of the Battle of Vertières marked the victory of the indigenous army on the Napoleonic troops. On this occasion, former President Aristide delivered his speech to several thousand Haitians and foreigners: he praised the historical facts and took a position on the current situation on the island. He was in favour of national reconciliation and criticized the international community for its neo-colonial tendencies, according to him. The opposition, for its part, considered Aristide's speech inappropriate. Finally, only Cape-Haïtien showed real interest in this anniversary. Most of Haiti's other cities remained indifferent to this event.

This week-long festival is a real event on the country's northern coast. For a week, the best musical groups gather at Fuerte San Felipe, at the end of the Malecón, to play merengue, blues, jazz and folk concerts. Groups from all over the island come to perform traditional songs and dances, offering an astonishing spectacle that also includes salsa and African spiritual songs. Parades, masquerade costume, food fairs and other attractions are also organized.

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.

Founded in 1852 in honour of Lafayette by Haitian slaves, inspired by the dances (minuet) of their French masters, implanted in the region in the early th century.