Happy New Year and cheers to an awesome 2020! Is this your year to finally visit the Caribbean and cross off those amazing items on your bucket list? If so, we’re sharing a few must-experience events that are happening in the Caribbean in 2020.
The Caribbean is indeed a diverse destination that caters to almost any of the alternative tourism niches. Thanks to the hard work of the citizens and residents of the Caribbean, new experiences, events, products and services have been created with you in mind.
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What’s Happening in the Caribbean
Because the Caribbean is blessed with year-round sunshine and excellent weather, thousands of events are planned over the twelve months of the year. See what’s happening in the Caribbean from January to December:
January
Anguilla: The Anguilla Tourism and Hospitality Association’s Gala
The Anguilla Tourism and Hospitality Association’s Gala honours the best of the best in Anguilla’s hotel and tourism sector. The date for the event is January 10. It is an elegant awards ceremony which celebrates industry partners who have contributed to the success of the island’s tourism sector.
Dominican Republic: Whale Watching Season Begins
The official whale watching season in the Dominican Republic begins on January 15 and runs until March 30. During this season, approximately 2,000 whales migrate to the waters of the Samaná Bay. Guided tours are available all season long and as long as whales are in the area.
February
Grenada: Grenada Sailing Festival Work Boat Regatta
The Grenada Sailing Festival Work Boat Regatta was traditionally a race that comprised of boats used in the fishing profession. However, it has evolved into an event where boats are built specifically for the competition. This celebration of boat building and sailing takes place on February 01 and 02, 2020.
Antigua: The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600
Antigua and Barbuda’s 2020 edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Caribbean 600 is slated for Monday, February 24, 2020. A fierce and friendly competition is expected with about 50 boats entered to date. The closing date for entries is February 10, 2020 and interested boaters can visit the RORC website for more information.
March
Aruba: The Aruba Half Marathon
Aruba’s longest road race, the Aruba International Half Marathon, kicks off on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 5:30 a.m. The race is set to begin at the Joe Laveist Sport Park and end at the Alhambra Shops and Casino. The Aruba International Half Marathon is open to competitors from all over the world and all are welcome to sign up. For registration information, please visit the event website.
April
Bahamas: 6th Annual White Marlin Smackdown
Join the people of the Bahamas and the Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina team for the 6th Annual White Marlin Smackdown. Dates for the event are April 19 to 22. The tournament begins with a Captains Meeting on the 19 and rounds out with Fishing Days & Banquet from the 20 to the 22.
Jamaica: Jake’s Treasure Beach Off-Road Triathlon
Jake’s Off-Road Triathlon holds the distinction of being the world’s longest running off-road triathlon. This event is a favourite for adventure sports enthusiasts who flock to Jamaica each year. The event, which in the calendar for April 25, features a 300 metre swim in the ocean, 25K off–and-on road back country mountain bike ride and a 7K trail run.
May
Barbados: Sol Rally Barbados
Get in gear with Barbados’ premier tarmac rallying event – the Sol Rally Barbados. This year’s installation runs from May 29 – 31 and features four timed runs on an approximately four kilometer stage. The event attracts drivers from all over the world and has been a highlight of Caribbean rally racing as far back as 1990. Stay up to date with the lastest event news by following Rally Barbados.
Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico Comic Con
From May 23 – 25, 2020, comic book and enthusiasts will descend on the Puerto Rico Convention Centre for the Puerto Rico Comic Con. It’s the largest comic con convention and cosplay exhibition in the Caribbean. Retailers and exhibitors typically use the event to showcase their comics, toys, video games and anime.
June
Belize: San Pedro Lobster Festival
Calling all lovers of seafood and lobster to the San Pedro Lobster Festival in Belize. It’s an annual event that celebrates the opening of the lobster season in Belize. This year’s festival runs from June 13 – 22 and includes many events such as concerts, parties and food tastings.
St. Kitts: The 24th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival
The St. Kitts Music Festival was created in 1995 to boost interest and tourism business and provide a platform for local talent in the island. The festival which runs from June 25 – 27, encompasses several genres of music namely soca/calypso, reggae, R&B and gospel and welcomes performers from all over the world.
July
Bermuda: The Clipper 2010/2020 Round the World Yacht Race
Could this be the race of your life? The final leg of this prestigious race leaves New York at the end of June for the sunny shores of Bermuda for the first time. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will start receiving yachts from July 01 – 02. After a days long stopover, the race sails off again on July 09, for the United Kingdom.
Nevis: Nevis Mango and Food Festival
The Nevis Mango and Food Festival pays homage to the 44 varieties of mango that can be found growing on the island. The four day festival is a celebration of the island’s culinary talents and also features the work of international chefs. From July 02 – 05, 2020, there will be cooking demonstrations, master classes and feasts.
August
British Virgin Islands: Festival Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
The British Virgin Islands’ emancipation Festival starts in July and culminates in August with Festival Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on August 03, 04, and 05 respectively. The festival commemorates the Emancipation Act of August 01, 1834, which resulted in the freedom of slaves throughout the British territories.
September
Bonaire: Bonaire Day
September 06 is Bonaire Day (Dia di Boneiru) and is a day of celebration in the tiny island. The day’s festivities begin with an official ceremony replete with speeches, presentations and a flag raising display. Cultural craft, music, food and dance round out the schedule. The day officially ends with the lowering of the flag just before sunset, however, the celebrations continue until late in the night.
October
Tobago: Tobago Blue Food Festival
The Tobago Blue Food Festival, which is traditionally held in October, is a showcase of how versatile locally grown food, especially the blue root dasheen, is. Dasheen is a starchy, tropical food that is similar to potato. Other popular names are tannia, coco and taro. At the festival, chefs use dasheen to make appetizers, desserts and beverages.
November
Curacao: MARE Forum
The Fourth Annual MARE Forum will be on November 27. The conference is usually held in Willemstad, Curacao and explores the shipping, cruise and business expansion in Curacao. It’s an idea sharing and building event which attracts high profile shipping professionals including yacht owners; shipping company managers; cruise ship managers; and local government officials.
Event Calendars for the Caribbean Destinations
To learn about new events, follow Endless Caribbean on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. To find out more about what’s happening in the Caribbean, you can also subscribe to the tourism authority websites in the individual destinations. You may be in time to catch worthwhile travel deals for specific events and travel periods.
Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Bermuda | Bonaire | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Curacao | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada | Guyana | Jamaica | Martinique | Nevis | Puerto Rico | Saba | St. Kitts | St. Lucia | St. Martin | Suriname | Trinidad and Tobago | Turks and Caicos Islands | United States Virgin Islands
