St Lucia Festivals and Events

Old and young enjoy this early December two-day event known as the Christmas Folk Festival. Day 1 takes place at Pigeon Island National Park where a Fiesta Night features Christmas music by choirs and steel bands as a backdrop to a Creole dinner and Christmas tree lighting. Day 2 takes place at the National Cultural Centre featuring more food and drink while Santa Claus hands out gifts to children.

Held annually on the closest Sunday to October 28, International Creole Day features the preparation of traditional foods, folklore events and craft exhibitions. Each year another village is selected as host. This festival is held in conjunction with other Creole festivals around the world. The Creole language and culture is a mixture of French, African and native ones.

Around September and October of each year, St Lucia holds this three-day fishing tournament with dates selected to optimize conditions. Visitors may participate on a chartered vessel or on their own deep sea fishing boats. The objective is to hook a Blue Marlin weighing more than 1000 lbs. Rules are strict.

Once each month the 200-seat open-air Derek Walcott Theatre presents a music, dance or drama production. There is an annual performance by the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. The theater is beside the Great House restaurant.

Every Friday night, year round, the village of Gros Islet holds a Jump Up which is a Caribbean style street fair and dance. It features the sounds of reggae and local Caribbean food and drink.

The first Monday in August celebrates the abolition of slavery. Also called National Heroes Day, it celebrates all those who fought for freedom and bettered the nation. Special events mark the day.

Taking an entire week in May, the St Lucia Jazz Festival includes free concerts in Derek Walcott Square in the center of Castries. Additional sessions take place in various locations on the island.

Each December 13, a variety of sports and cultural events celebrate St Lucia's National Day. The Festival of Lights lantern-making competition is popular and villages throughout the country can be seen decorated with lights.

In December, celebrations take place at the Rodney Bay Marina as participants in the 2,700 mile rally arrive from the Canary Islands to St Lucia.

Each July, the St Lucia Carnival presents Calypso concerts and competitions, beauty contests, parades through Castries and many other events.

Each August the vendors of Castries market hold a festival where they serve special dishes of the local cuisine.

On the first Sunday each November foods from around the world are prepared and offered for sale in this charity event at the National Cultural Center in Castries.

Each January 1 & 2, St Lucia holds a fair on the Pigeon Island Causeway with various attractions, food and drink.

Each September, chefs from St Lucia's resorts and restaurants compete to represent the island in the Caribbean contest.