Barbados Public Holidays:
A Cultural and Historical Guide for 2026 and 2027

Barbados observes 12 national public holidays each year. Locals call them “Bank Holidays” because banks and most businesses close. These days mark key moments in our history, faith, and culture, from independence and emancipation to Christmas and Easter.

A Tradition of Celebration

For Barbadians, a Bank Holiday is a time to slow down. Families head to the beach, fire up the grill, and share traditional local dishes like macaroni pie, peas and rice, baked chicken, flying fish cutters, pudding and souse, and cassava pone. Music, laughter, and long conversations turn these days into memories. Visitors are often invited to join in, reflecting the island’s warm, open spirit.

This guide lists the official public holidays in Barbados for 2026 and 2027, along with other widely observed dates. Under Barbados law, certain holidays that fall on a Sunday are moved to Monday, and in some cases, an extra Tuesday is given. For example, when Emancipation Day or Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, an additional day off follows, so people still enjoy a complete public holiday.

Planning your trip around a Bank Holiday is a smart way to experience Barbados at its best. Use the Barbados Events Calendar on Totally Barbados to find concerts, horse racing, Crop Over events, dining specials, and family activities that line up with each holiday. Look out for our Recommended Places, which highlight trusted hotels, villas, restaurants, attractions, car rentals, and tours to help you plan your stay.

If you live in Barbados, this page is also a handy reference for scheduling work, school, and family time. You can dive deeper into the island’s story in the About Barbados section, where we explore our history, culture, and traditions in more detail.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to keep these holiday dates accurate and up to date. However, public holiday dates and observances may change without notice, and Totally Barbados is not responsible for any errors, changes, or omissions. Please confirm details with official government or employer sources before making travel, business, or financial decisions.

Note: Banks and Businesses are typically closed on these days.

Note: If New Year’s Day, Errol Barrow Day, National Heroes Day, Labour Day, Independence Day, or Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday.

Note: If Emancipation Day (August 1) falls on a Sunday or Monday, the following Tuesday is also a public holiday. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the following Tuesday is also a public holiday.

Official List for 2026

Barbados continues to observe 12 core national public holidays each year, as defined in the Public Holidays Act, Cap. 352. These include:

• New Year’s Day
  Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Errol Barrow Day
  Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Good Friday
  Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Easter Monday
  Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• National Heroes Day
  Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Labour Day / May Day
  Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Whit Monday
  Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
  Based on Pentecost falling on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
• Emancipation Day
  Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
  Falls on a Saturday in 2026, so there is no substitute Monday.
• Kadooment Day (first Monday in August)
  Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday (first Monday in August)
• Independence Day
  Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Christmas Day
  Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday
• Boxing Day
  Date: Saturday, December 26, 2026
  Status: Public Bank Holiday

The law also sets out how substitute days work when certain holidays fall on a Sunday or around Emancipation Day and Christmas:

• If January 1, January 21, April 28, May 1, November 30, or December 26 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday.
• If August 1 falls on a Sunday or Monday, the following Tuesday is also a public holiday.
• If December 25 falls on a Sunday, the following Tuesday is also a public holiday.
• There are no extra “day off for” substitute holidays required in 2026, because none of the fixed-date holidays that trigger a Monday in lieu fall on a Sunday that year.

That is why 2027 has extra “in lieu” holidays for Emancipation Day and Boxing Day.

Barbados Public Holidays in 2026

Below is a list of the official public holidays in Barbados for 2026, along with the significance behind each one:

Errol Barrow Day (January 21)

This holiday honors the birth of Errol Walton Barrow, Barbados’ first Prime Minister and the architect of the country’s independence from Britain in 1966. Known as the “Father of Independence,” Barrow played a pivotal role in modernizing Barbados and promoting social reform.

National Heroes Day (April 28)

A day dedicated to honoring Barbados’s ten official National Heroes—nine men and one woman—who made outstanding contributions to the nation’s development. Celebrations often include school activities like National Heroes Square and Independence Square.

Labour Day / May Day (May 1)

Observed on International Workers’ Day, this holiday celebrates workers’ contributions. It also includes traditional May Day festivities, such as the Barbados Landship’s symbolic dances around the Maypole—a nod to British heritage blended with African performance art.

Whit Monday (June 9)

Falling on the day after Pentecost, Whit Monday is a Christian observance commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It remains a solemn and reflective day for many Barbadians.

Emancipation Day (August 1)

Commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire through the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Celebrations include a march culminating at the Bussa Emancipation Statue, which honors the 1816 slave rebellion led by the enslaved African, Bussa.

Kadooment Day (August 4)

This marks the climax of the Crop Over Festival, a cultural extravaganza that celebrates the end of the sugarcane harvest. Revelers in themed bands parade from the National Stadium to Spring Garden Highway in dazzling costumes, accompanied by infectious calypso and soca music. It’s a must-see event for locals and tourists alike.

Independence Day (November 30)

This day commemorates Barbados’s peaceful transition to independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Patriotic displays, official ceremonies, and island-wide festivities mark this national milestone. The island’s nickname, “Little England,” speaks to its British colonial past and the graceful way it stepped into sovereignty.

The Christmas Season

Christmas in Barbados is both a religious and cultural celebration. Festivities begin early in December and include church services, Christmas markets, light displays, and community events. It is a time for family gatherings and reflection, rooted in the island’s deep Christian traditions.

Plan Your Trip Around a Bank Holiday

Whether you’re a visitor looking to experience authentic Bajan culture or a returning local planning to reconnect with your roots, the Barbados Events Calendar is your go-to resource for activities during Bank Holidays. Check Totally Barbados regularly to stay updated on upcoming events, parades, and festivities.

Experience the Heart of Barbados. Each public holiday in Barbados offers a window into the island’s soul, its resilience, joy, and community spirit. These moments are woven into the national identity and are essential to understanding what makes Barbados truly special.

Learn more about Barbados.

Holidays in Barbados 2027

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to keep these holiday dates accurate and up to date. However, public holiday dates and observances may change without notice, and Totally Barbados is not responsible for any errors, changes, or omissions. Please confirm details with official government or employer sources before making travel, business, or financial decisions.