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Barbados Public Holidays

Barbados Public Holidays

In 2023, Barbados will have 13 national public holidays, commonly referred to locally in Barbados as “Bank Holidays.” On these days, banks and businesses are typically closed. The majority of the labor force is granted time off work or given extra pay for working, depending on their employment agreement.

Barbadians often celebrate these holidays with a family picnic or a trip to one of the many beautiful beaches or parks the island offers. Big hampers and picnic baskets are lovingly prepared, early in the morning, with all Barbadian favorite local foods. Like Macaroni Pie, Peas and Rice, Baked Chicken, and sometimes Pudding and Souse. Snacks and drinks are also taken for a full day of relaxation with family and friends.

If you happen upon one of these Bank Holiday gatherings, don’t be surprised if you are invited to drink or ask to taste a flying fish cutter or, maybe, a slice of Cassava Pone.

Note: If a bank holiday falls on a Sunday, it is carried over to the Monday; however, if the bank holiday falls on a Saturday, there is no holiday given in lieu.

Barbados celebrates many of the same Holidays as the UK, as Britain once owned Barbados. However, we also have holidays that celebrate our history and culture. If you are on the island for a Bank Holiday, go along and experience some of the activities marking the Holiday.

Errol Barrow Day

This is the birthday of the first Prime Minister of Barbados, fondly remembered for helping to form the Democratic Labor Party and was instrumental in gaining Barbados her Independence from Great Britain in November 1966. Errol Barrow is the Father of Independence and Social Transformation in Barbados.

National Heroes Day

This Bank Holiday celebrates our national heroes who have played a significant part in Barbados’ history and development. Nine men and one woman make up Barbados’s ten official national heroes.

Many events are held to celebrate the nine men and one woman who make up the ten official Barbados national heroes. Many schools will often take part in the preparation of these celebrations.

Join us in the celebration at Independence Square.

Labor Day / May Day

This Public Holiday celebrates two events in one day. Linked with International Workers’ Day, this Holiday marks the worker’s achievements. We also observe May Day, and you will find the Barbados Landship dancing at the May Pole.

Whit Monday

Also known as Pentecost Monday, this Holiday is celebrated the day after the Christian religious feast of Pentecost.

Emancipation Day

This bank holiday is celebrated to recognize the abolition of slavery through the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.

A march is held through Barbados’ streets and culminates at a statue erected in honor of a man called Bussa on the ABC Highway.

Bussa is Barbados’ longest slave revolt in 1816, now called the Bussa Rebellion. This revolution aimed to gain freedom for the slaves of Barbados, hence the strong ties to emancipation and Emancipation Day.

Kadooment Day

Where Barbadians celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest.

Grand Kadooment Day is the Crop Over Festival’s grand finale, which Celebrates the end of the sugar cane harvest. Grand Kadooment Day is held on the first Monday of August.

Locals and visitors alike flock to Barbados to join in this national celebration.

Revelers, people in the parade, are divided into ‘bands,’ which colorfully depict different themes.

The bands start at the National stadium, all with vibrant colored costumes and music depicting their chosen theme, where they are judged for great prizes and prestige. The “jump-up,” merriment, and dancing continue through the streets to calypso music and end on Spring Garden Highway.

Independence Day

Barbadians celebrate their Independence Day with much pride and prestige.

November 30th, 1966, marks the island’s peacefully negotiated break from England and British rule. The Holiday was so peaceful that the island is still referred to as ‘Little England.’ — Learn more about Barbados’ history at Totally Barbados.

The Christmas Season

Barbados is a very religious Island, and Christmas is celebrated with many festive activities, fun events, and Worship.

Check out the Barbados Events Calendar to see what’s happening on the island during any Bank Holiday time so that you can join in the celebrations, action, and fun.


Holidays in Barbados 2023

Month, Date, and Year Day Public Holiday Status
January 1st, 2023 Sunday New Year’s Day Public Bank Holiday (1st)
January 2nd, 2023 Monday New Year’s Day (In Lieu) Public Bank Holiday (2nd)
January 6th, 2023 Friday Epiphany Observed – Full Moon
January 16th, 2023 Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observed
January 21st, 2023 Saturday Errol Barrow Day Public Bank Holiday (3rd)
February 14th, 2023 Tuesday Valentine’s Day Observed
February 22nd, 2023 Wednesday Ash Wednesday Observed
March 17th, 2023 Friday St. Patricks Day Observed
March 26th, 2023 Sunday Daylight Saving Time Observed – It starts in North America, but Barbados has no daylight saving time.
April 2nd, 2023 Sunday Palm Sunday Observed
April 7th, 2023 Friday Good Friday Public Bank Holiday (4th) – Barbados National Holidays
April 8th, 2023 Saturday Holy Saturday Observed
April 9th, 2023 Sunday Easter Sunday Observed
April 10th, 2023 Monday Easter Monday Public Bank Holiday – (5th) Barbados National Holidays
April 28th, 2023 Friday National Heroes’ Day Public Bank Holiday – (6th) Barbados National Holidays
May 1st, 2023 Monday Labor Day / May Day Public Bank Holiday – (7th) Barbados National Holidays – International Workers Day
May 5th, 2023 Friday Cinco de Mayo Observed
May 14th, 2023 Sunday Mother’s Day Observed
May 28th, 2023 Sunday Whit Sunday Observed – Pentecost
May 29th, 2023 Monday Whit Monday Public Bank Holiday – (8th) Barbados National Holidays
June 18th, 2023 Sunday Father’s Day Observed
June 19th, 2023 Monday Juneteenth Observed – Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States
commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
July 4th, 2023 Tuesday Independence Day Observed – in the USA.
August 1st, 2023 Tuesday Emancipation Day Public Bank Holiday – (9th) Barbados National Holidays
August 7th, 2023 Monday Kadooment Day Public Bank Holiday – (10th) Barbados National Holidays
October 29th, 2023 Sunday Daylight Saving Time Observed – Ends in North America, but Barbados has no daylight saving time.
October 31st, 2023 Tuesday Halloween Observed
November 10th, 2023 Friday Veterans Day Observed – in the USA
November 23rd, 2023 Thursday Thanksgiving Day Observed – in the USA
November 30th, 2023 Thursday Independence Day Public Bank Holiday – (11th) Barbados National Holidays
December 24th, 2023 Sunday Christmas Eve Observed
December 25th, 2023 Monday Christmas Day Public Bank Holiday – (12th) Barbados National Holidays
December 26th, 2023 Tuesday Boxing Day Public Bank Holiday – (13th) Barbados National Holidays
December 31st, 2023 Friday Old Years Night Observed

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

Note: If a bank holiday falls on a Sunday, it is carried over to Monday.


About Totally Barbados (Edit profile)

Brett Callaghan is the founder and managing director of Totally Barbados. I specialize in writing content for the tourism industry for my island home of Barbados. I help companies build strategies to grow online businesses with SMART marketing, advertising, and social media goals.

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