Various venues, Barbados,

Description: This festival is usually held the second week in January. Talents from Canada, the United States, Europe and all over the Caribbean come together to perform for a fun-filled weekend.
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Various venues, Barbados,

Description: This five-week festival encompasses the entire island. In the 1780s, there was always a celebration at the end of the sugar harvest ­ called the Crop Over celebration. The festival was cancelled in the 1940s when the sugar industry declined but was revived in 1974 and has been an annual (and much anticipated) event ever since. The festival kicks off with the delivery of the "last canes" and the crowning of the festival king and queen ­ traditionally, the most prolific cane cutters of the season. A decorated cart parade, calypso bands and craft booths are also features of the celebration. Some events are free; ticketed events vary in price.
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Holders House, St. James, Barbados,

Description: The elegant, historic Holders House in St. James Parish offers an annual two-week performing arts season that regularly earns raves from critics and audience alike. Every year the program is different, but may include classical or jazz concerts, opera performances, theater and comedy shows, even acrobats and circus acts. Most shows take place outside among the mansion's beautiful gardens. Past performances have included Shakespeare dramas, world-famous operas, and concerts from diverse artists such as Luciano Pavarotti and Tim Rice.
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Various venues, Holetown,

Description: This week-long festival, held in mid-February, celebrates the first settlement of Barbados in 1627. A lively street fair, history lectures, a parade, concerts and special sporting events are all part of the celebration. Admission to the street fair is free; some events (such as some of the concerts, the Queen of the Festival Pageant, and the Festival Fashion Show) are ticketed, and prices vary.
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Bay Gardens, Oistins,

Description: This rollicking, three-day festival celebrates the Barbados fishing industry. Among the events are exciting competitions in fish boning and frying, road tennis, greased pole climbing and boating. The street fair features local arts and crafts stalls, heaps of food (fried fish, fish cakes and Banks beer, mostly!), and plenty of music, from steel bands to gospel. In the evenings, revelers dance to calypso and reggae. Admission is free, but bring plenty of cash for food, beverages and souvenirs.
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Barbados Turf Club ­ Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown, 246-426-3980

Description: Sponsored by Sandy Lane Resort and the Barbados Turf Club, this thoroughbred race is considered to be the most prestigious in the Caribbean. It's also among the top few annual events on the Barbados social calendar. Run since 1982, the race is as much a chance for the upper echelons of society to show off their finery and the hoi polloi to enjoy a good party, as it is a competition to decide the best horses and jockeys. To get things off to a festive start, the race is preceded by a performance of the Royal Barbados Police Force Band, along with a parade of dancing majorettes and stilt walkers.
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