Crop Over Festival 2023

Bridgetown, Barbados

Crop Over Festival 2023: For The Love Of Culture

Crop Over Festival is an annual summer festival dating back to the 17th century. It is the most popular and colourful event in the Caribbean and celebrates the official end of the sugar cane season. The six-week event celebrates with parties from dusk till dawn, arts and crafts markets, culinary-driven street fairs and more. 

“This summer, Barbados invites travellers to live like a local and experience the island’s lively Crop Over Festival celebrating a 200-year-old tradition that donors the end of the sugar cane season” 

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The festival kicks off with the official Opening Gala and the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes. During the opening, the King and Queen of the festival, the most productive male and female cane cutters of the season, are crowned. The festival features ‘Cohobblopot’, a large carnival-like show where members of Kadooment bands showcase their elaborate customs and perform to packed audiences.

Children are also able to participate in the Kiddies Kadooment. One of the main features of Crop Over Festival is Calypso, where ‘calypsonian’s’ are organised into tents, sponsored by local businesses. The participants compete for a range of prizes and titles; such as party monarch, road march monarch, sweet soca monarch and more. The festival then closes out with the grand finale: the Grand Kadooment; where the carnival parade showcases large bands dressed in elaborate costumes. 

Where to view Crop Over Festival

Crop Over Festival takes place in Bridgetown, Barbados. You can find most of the events that take place throughout the festival at West Terrace, St. James, Bridgetown, Barbados. 

How to get around Bridgetown

The nearest airport is Grantley Adams International Airport, located approximately 30 minutes east of the city centre. Upon arrival, Bridgetown offers affordable and reliable public transport services. The most common way to get around the island is by bus.

The large public buses can be identified as blue buses with yellow striped sides. They service every major route in rural and urban areas of Barbados. You can also find privately owned minibuses, which are yellow with blue stripes; as well as ‘ZR Vans’, which are white with maroon stripes. 

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Where to stay in Barbados

The city of Bridgetown features a variety of accommodation options ranging from hostels to guesthouses, hotels, resorts, Airbnb, vacation rentals and more.

Popular waterfront resorts include the Radisson Aquatica Resort, Hilton Barbados Resort and Accra Beach Hotel. You can explore all the nearby accommodation deals across Barbados on the map below.

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Things to do in Bridgetown

The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados features a number of popular things to see and do. The picture-perfect holiday destination boasts a range of outdoor activities, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, swimming with turtles, island safaris, cave tours and more. The city of Bridgetown also offers a number of historical attractions and museums.

Popular museums include the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, The Niche Israel Synagogue and Museum and The Cricket Legends of Barbados. You can also explore the Bridgetown Markets, featuring a wide variety of stallholders offering fresh produce, arts and crafts, clothing, jewellery, collectables and more. 

Crop Over Festival 2023 Dates

Crop Over 2022 takes place on August 7-14, 2023.