Guadeloupe - Holidays, Events, Calendar
Guadeloupe’s local culture is diverse and well-developed. From distinguished Nobel laureate authors to the creators of popular Zouk music, from legendary cuisiniéres (cooks) to artists of every description who create unique works in their ateliers (workshops), there is much to experience and celebrate in Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe’s local culture is diverse and well-developed. From distinguished Nobel laureate authors to the creators of popular Zouk music, from legendary cuisiniéres (cooks) to artists of every description who create unique works in their ateliers (workshops), there is much to experience and celebrate in Guadeloupe.
Colorful festivals are held throughout the year and performances of traditional music and dance are regularly scheduled. Art galleries, museums and fascinating historical sites abound. A general guide to many annual events appears below. For specific dates and details, please contact the island's Tourist Office.
On Public Holidays, government offices, banks, and most businesses are closed.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY
New Year's Day. Public Holiday on January 1
Epiphany / La Fête des Rois. Celebration in many homes and hotels, culminating in the serving of a traditional cake called galette des rois
Guadeloupe's annual International Film Festival, FEMI (dates vary)
Carnival de Guadeloupe. Begins in early January and continues through the culmination of Carnival on Ash Wednesday. Various activities.
FEBRUARY / MARCH (dates vary with the Easter Holiday)
Carnival. 5 days of parties, parades and costumed revelers in the streets, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras in the US).
Ash Wednesday. Culmination of Carnival, with final parade and Burning of King Carnival, Vaval, on a funeral pyre. Night parade with torches to bury Vaval in Pointe-à-Pitre.
Mi-Carême, or Mid-Lent (Public Holiday). Parades, parties during day-long respite from Lent.
Les Nuits Caraïbes. Classical music festival held annually over a two week period in February or March. Various venues.
MARCH / APRIL
CARIFTA GAMES. Junior track and field championships open to athletes, age 13 to 19, from the Caribbean nations that are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Island location varies from year to year.
Guadarun. 150km race held annually on the islands of Guadeloupe, Terre-de-Haut, Terre-de-Bas, Marie-Galante and La Desirade.
Trophée Gardel. Regatta in Saint-François
Fête du Crabe à Morne-a-l'Eau. Crab Festival held each April in Morne-à-l'Eau
Fête de la Mer / Celebration of the Sea held annually in St. François.
End of cockfighting season.
MAY
Karujet. Annual jet-ski competition.
Labor Day. Public Holiday on May 1
Victory in Europe Day. Public Holiday on May 8
Ascension Thursday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Slavery Abolition Day. Public Holiday on May 27
MAY / JUNE
Pentecost Monday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Marie-Galante International Music Festival. The annual three day event, held in late May or early June, features Créole Blues concerts as well as exhibitions and market sales.
Fête de La Musique / Music Celebration Day. A celebration of music in all the islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago held annually in May or June
JULY
Arts & Crafts Festival. Sainte-Anne.
Gwo-Ka (Big Drum) Festival in Sainte-Anne (Music, Dances) featuring the best veterans and newest stars.
Fête Nationale / Bastille Day. Public Holiday. Pageants, parades, fireworks.
July 14
Victor Schoelcher Day. Public Holiday. Honors Victor Schoelcher and the end of slavery in 1848. July 21
Festival International du Zouk / International Festival of Zouk Music. Week long celebration of popular Zouk, created in Guadeloupe. Concerts and other programs.
JULY / AUGUST
Festival de la Guadeloupe. A series of annual summer events (Food, Music, Folklore) throughout the island in July and August
AUGUST
Tour de la Guadeloupe. 10 day International Cycle race, with teams from many countries. 9 grueling stages cover the island in a reduced version of the celebrated Tour de France.
Fête des Cuisinières, or Festival of the Women Cooks. One of Guadeloupe's most colorful events. Women parade in Creole costume, carrying baskets brimming with island specialties. Morning mass at Cathedral and 5-hour banquet (visitors are invited). Locale: Pointe-à-Pitre.
Traditional Music Festival in the town of Le Moule
Miss Guadeloupe Beauty Contest
Assumption Day. Public Holiday. August 15
Fisherman's Days. Marina at St. François
Patron Saint's Day and Fishermen's Day in Les Saintes, Terre-de-Haut. Mass for the fishermen, procession, benediction of the sea
OCTOBER
Volcano Trail Run. An international run in the mountains surrounding Le Soufrière volcano, Guadeloupe
NOVEMBER
La Toussaint / All Saints Day. Cemeteries are often lit by thousands of candles at night. Public Holiday. November 1
Cockfighting Season begins.
Armistice Day. Public Holiday. Parades. November 11
Music Day. Honors the patron saint of music. Concerts in churches and various public venues
DECEMBER
Nwèl Kakado / Chanté Noël. December 1 - 24. Originated in the village of Vieux-Habitants, now celebrated on Friday nights and weekend evenings throughout the island. Christmas carols and traditional celebrations. The kakado, a river crayfish, is a specialty enjoyed by everyone in December.
Feast of Pointe-a-Pitre. A celebration of the city's various districts, with concerts and public entertainment.
Pointe-a-Pitre Ilojazz Festival. A celebration of jazz featuring international performers and the island’s best artists. Pointe-a-Pitre
Jou a Tradisyon. A large market and huge fair featuring all products “made in Gwadloup” Parc d’activités de Jarry - Baie Mahout
Christmas Eve. December 24. Dancing and dining on Créole specialties. Midnight mass with French and Créole carols
Christmas Day. December 25. Public Holiday
Young Saints Day. Saturday after Christmas. Traditional masses for children, who are free to take their Christmas gifts to church.
Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre / New Year's Eve celebrations.
Colorful festivals are held throughout the year and performances of traditional music and dance are regularly scheduled. Art galleries, museums and fascinating historical sites abound. A general guide to many annual events appears below. For specific dates and details, please contact the island's Tourist Office.
On Public Holidays, government offices, banks, and most businesses are closed.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY
New Year's Day. Public Holiday on January 1
Epiphany / La Fête des Rois. Celebration in many homes and hotels, culminating in the serving of a traditional cake called galette des rois
Guadeloupe's annual International Film Festival, FEMI (dates vary)
Carnival de Guadeloupe. Begins in early January and continues through the culmination of Carnival on Ash Wednesday. Various activities.
FEBRUARY / MARCH (dates vary with the Easter Holiday)
Carnival. 5 days of parties, parades and costumed revelers in the streets, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras in the US).
Ash Wednesday. Culmination of Carnival, with final parade and Burning of King Carnival, Vaval, on a funeral pyre. Night parade with torches to bury Vaval in Pointe-à-Pitre.
Mi-Carême, or Mid-Lent (Public Holiday). Parades, parties during day-long respite from Lent.
Les Nuits Caraïbes. Classical music festival held annually over a two week period in February or March. Various venues.
MARCH / APRIL
CARIFTA GAMES. Junior track and field championships open to athletes, age 13 to 19, from the Caribbean nations that are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Island location varies from year to year.
Guadarun. 150km race held annually on the islands of Guadeloupe, Terre-de-Haut, Terre-de-Bas, Marie-Galante and La Desirade.
Trophée Gardel. Regatta in Saint-François
Fête du Crabe à Morne-a-l'Eau. Crab Festival held each April in Morne-à-l'Eau
Fête de la Mer / Celebration of the Sea held annually in St. François.
End of cockfighting season.
MAY
Karujet. Annual jet-ski competition.
Labor Day. Public Holiday on May 1
Victory in Europe Day. Public Holiday on May 8
Ascension Thursday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Slavery Abolition Day. Public Holiday on May 27
MAY / JUNE
Pentecost Monday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Marie-Galante International Music Festival. The annual three day event, held in late May or early June, features Créole Blues concerts as well as exhibitions and market sales.
Fête de La Musique / Music Celebration Day. A celebration of music in all the islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago held annually in May or June
JULY
Arts & Crafts Festival. Sainte-Anne.
Gwo-Ka (Big Drum) Festival in Sainte-Anne (Music, Dances) featuring the best veterans and newest stars.
Fête Nationale / Bastille Day. Public Holiday. Pageants, parades, fireworks.
July 14
Victor Schoelcher Day. Public Holiday. Honors Victor Schoelcher and the end of slavery in 1848. July 21
Festival International du Zouk / International Festival of Zouk Music. Week long celebration of popular Zouk, created in Guadeloupe. Concerts and other programs.
JULY / AUGUST
Festival de la Guadeloupe. A series of annual summer events (Food, Music, Folklore) throughout the island in July and August
AUGUST
Tour de la Guadeloupe. 10 day International Cycle race, with teams from many countries. 9 grueling stages cover the island in a reduced version of the celebrated Tour de France.
Fête des Cuisinières, or Festival of the Women Cooks. One of Guadeloupe's most colorful events. Women parade in Creole costume, carrying baskets brimming with island specialties. Morning mass at Cathedral and 5-hour banquet (visitors are invited). Locale: Pointe-à-Pitre.
Traditional Music Festival in the town of Le Moule
Miss Guadeloupe Beauty Contest
Assumption Day. Public Holiday. August 15
Fisherman's Days. Marina at St. François
Patron Saint's Day and Fishermen's Day in Les Saintes, Terre-de-Haut. Mass for the fishermen, procession, benediction of the sea
OCTOBER
Volcano Trail Run. An international run in the mountains surrounding Le Soufrière volcano, Guadeloupe
NOVEMBER
La Toussaint / All Saints Day. Cemeteries are often lit by thousands of candles at night. Public Holiday. November 1
Cockfighting Season begins.
Armistice Day. Public Holiday. Parades. November 11
Music Day. Honors the patron saint of music. Concerts in churches and various public venues
DECEMBER
Nwèl Kakado / Chanté Noël. December 1 - 24. Originated in the village of Vieux-Habitants, now celebrated on Friday nights and weekend evenings throughout the island. Christmas carols and traditional celebrations. The kakado, a river crayfish, is a specialty enjoyed by everyone in December.
Feast of Pointe-a-Pitre. A celebration of the city's various districts, with concerts and public entertainment.
Pointe-a-Pitre Ilojazz Festival. A celebration of jazz featuring international performers and the island’s best artists. Pointe-a-Pitre
Jou a Tradisyon. A large market and huge fair featuring all products “made in Gwadloup” Parc d’activités de Jarry - Baie Mahout
Christmas Eve. December 24. Dancing and dining on Créole specialties. Midnight mass with French and Créole carols
Christmas Day. December 25. Public Holiday
Young Saints Day. Saturday after Christmas. Traditional masses for children, who are free to take their Christmas gifts to church.
Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre / New Year's Eve celebrations.
Colorful festivals are held throughout the year and performances of traditional music and dance are regularly scheduled. Art galleries, museums and fascinating historical sites abound. A general guide to many annual events appears below. For specific dates and details, please contact the island's Tourist Office.
On Public Holidays, government offices, banks, and most businesses are closed.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY
New Year's Day. Public Holiday on January 1
Epiphany / La Fête des Rois. Celebration in many homes and hotels, culminating in the serving of a traditional cake called galette des rois
Guadeloupe's annual International Film Festival, FEMI (dates vary)
Carnival de Guadeloupe. Begins in early January and continues through the culmination of Carnival on Ash Wednesday. Various activities.
FEBRUARY / MARCH (dates vary with the Easter Holiday)
Carnival. 5 days of parties, parades and costumed revelers in the streets, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras in the US).
Ash Wednesday. Culmination of Carnival, with final parade and Burning of King Carnival, Vaval, on a funeral pyre. Night parade with torches to bury Vaval in Pointe-à-Pitre.
Mi-Carême, or Mid-Lent (Public Holiday). Parades, parties during day-long respite from Lent.
Les Nuits Caraïbes. Classical music festival held annually over a two week period in February or March. Various venues.
MARCH / APRIL
CARIFTA GAMES. Junior track and field championships open to athletes, age 13 to 19, from the Caribbean nations that are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Island location varies from year to year.
Guadarun. 150km race held annually on the islands of Guadeloupe, Terre-de-Haut, Terre-de-Bas, Marie-Galante and La Desirade.
Trophée Gardel. Regatta in Saint-François
Fête du Crabe à Morne-a-l'Eau. Crab Festival held each April in Morne-à-l'Eau
Fête de la Mer / Celebration of the Sea held annually in St. François.
End of cockfighting season.
MAY
Karujet. Annual jet-ski competition.
Labor Day. Public Holiday on May 1
Victory in Europe Day. Public Holiday on May 8
Ascension Thursday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Slavery Abolition Day. Public Holiday on May 27
MAY / JUNE
Pentecost Monday. Public Holiday. Date varies
Marie-Galante International Music Festival. The annual three day event, held in late May or early June, features Créole Blues concerts as well as exhibitions and market sales.
Fête de La Musique / Music Celebration Day. A celebration of music in all the islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago held annually in May or June
JULY
Arts & Crafts Festival. Sainte-Anne.
Gwo-Ka (Big Drum) Festival in Sainte-Anne (Music, Dances) featuring the best veterans and newest stars.
Fête Nationale / Bastille Day. Public Holiday. Pageants, parades, fireworks.
July 14
Victor Schoelcher Day. Public Holiday. Honors Victor Schoelcher and the end of slavery in 1848. July 21
Festival International du Zouk / International Festival of Zouk Music. Week long celebration of popular Zouk, created in Guadeloupe. Concerts and other programs.
JULY / AUGUST
Festival de la Guadeloupe. A series of annual summer events (Food, Music, Folklore) throughout the island in July and August
AUGUST
Tour de la Guadeloupe. 10 day International Cycle race, with teams from many countries. 9 grueling stages cover the island in a reduced version of the celebrated Tour de France.
Fête des Cuisinières, or Festival of the Women Cooks. One of Guadeloupe's most colorful events. Women parade in Creole costume, carrying baskets brimming with island specialties. Morning mass at Cathedral and 5-hour banquet (visitors are invited). Locale: Pointe-à-Pitre.
Traditional Music Festival in the town of Le Moule
Miss Guadeloupe Beauty Contest
Assumption Day. Public Holiday. August 15
Fisherman's Days. Marina at St. François
Patron Saint's Day and Fishermen's Day in Les Saintes, Terre-de-Haut. Mass for the fishermen, procession, benediction of the sea
OCTOBER
Volcano Trail Run. An international run in the mountains surrounding Le Soufrière volcano, Guadeloupe
NOVEMBER
La Toussaint / All Saints Day. Cemeteries are often lit by thousands of candles at night. Public Holiday. November 1
Cockfighting Season begins.
Armistice Day. Public Holiday. Parades. November 11
Music Day. Honors the patron saint of music. Concerts in churches and various public venues
DECEMBER
Nwèl Kakado / Chanté Noël. December 1 - 24. Originated in the village of Vieux-Habitants, now celebrated on Friday nights and weekend evenings throughout the island. Christmas carols and traditional celebrations. The kakado, a river crayfish, is a specialty enjoyed by everyone in December.
Feast of Pointe-a-Pitre. A celebration of the city's various districts, with concerts and public entertainment.
Pointe-a-Pitre Ilojazz Festival. A celebration of jazz featuring international performers and the island’s best artists. Pointe-a-Pitre
Jou a Tradisyon. A large market and huge fair featuring all products “made in Gwadloup” Parc d’activités de Jarry - Baie Mahout
Christmas Eve. December 24. Dancing and dining on Créole specialties. Midnight mass with French and Créole carols
Christmas Day. December 25. Public Holiday
Young Saints Day. Saturday after Christmas. Traditional masses for children, who are free to take their Christmas gifts to church.
Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre / New Year's Eve celebrations.
________________________________________
French Caribbean International has been the premier guide to the French West Indies since 1994. We provide a wealth of helpful travel information for visitors to the Caribbean islands of St. Barthélemy (St. Barts, St. Barth, St. Barths), St. Martin / St. Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Les Saintes and Marie-Galante.