10 Reasons to Spend Christmas in Barbados
Everyone loves a white Christmas, but a cold, rainy British winter isn’t anyone’s cup of tea. If spending Christmas Day on a white sand beach with a rum cocktail and an afternoon of shopping, surf and sunshine sounds like your idea of heaven, you need to book yourself a Barbados Christmas.
Check out our top 10 reasons to spend the festive season in Barbados.
Barbadians love Christmas too!
Though we might want to get away from the miserable weather, most of us still want to enjoy the Christmas festivities. Thankfully, Christmas is a big occasion in Barbados and the islanders will be celebrating along with everyone else. Just like at home, there will be Christmas trees, street lights and lots of seasonal festivities.
Head to vibrant Bridgetown to enjoy plenty of Christmas magic, from festive float parades to exciting celebrations in the iconic Queen’s Park. After the morning church service, everyone gathers in the park in their Sunday best to listen to the Royal Barbados Police Force Band and other musicians as they perform a selection of seasonal favourites. If you’re in Barbados at Christmas, you’re more than welcome to don your glad rags and join the celebrations.
Last-minute shopping heaven
Spending Christmas in Barbados doesn’t mean you need to wrap up presents to take with you. For truly sensational Christmas shopping, head to Holetown where you’ll find the island’s chicest boutiques selling world famous brands.
Of particular note is the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre in Holetown where you’ll discover the island’s finest stores, decked out in their festive finery and selling world-famous brands. The centre includes over a hundred cafés, restaurants and shops selling every type of gift you could ever need, from high-end jewellery and watches to clothes, handmade crafts and kids’ toys.
No need to wrap up warm
With average temperatures over the Christmas season of between 23-29°C, a winter holiday in Barbados is the ideal way to banish the memory of that cold, rainy British weather. You’ll find long, glorious days of sunshine followed by warm, balmy evenings, with only the occasional chance of a quick shower.
There’s no need to wrap up warm for your Christmas in Barbados, so you can leave your thermals at home! Instead, make sure to pack lots of light clothing, sandals and swimwear for your Barbados Christmas.
Dashing through the surf
Barbados’ pristine paradise beaches and sun-kissed seas are the perfect place to catch a wave and enjoy some festive surfing! Whether you’re an experienced surfer ready to head out into the clear, blue waters, or you’re looking to take some surfing lessons, Barbados beaches are the place to be.
If surfing isn’t your thing – don’t worry! Barbados is rich in history, culture and sport, with so many wonderful places to explore and activities to experience. You can spend your Barbados Christmas visiting shipwrecks on a submarine tour, sampling rum from the world’s oldest distillery or simply basking in the sunshine.
You can even take a tour of the island on board one of the amazing reggae buses – so-called because the drivers love to play reggae music as you head out on your journey! You can drive across the whole island in just over an hour, exploring the culture, restaurants and shops along the way.
Say hello to Santa!
If you’re planning on bringing your children to Barbados at Christmas, don’t miss out on the all-important trip to see Santa!
Limegrove Shopping Centre often enjoys visits from Santa and he’s sure to pop up elsewhere on the island during the festive season. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the little ones telling jolly old St Nick what they want for Christmas this year!
Festive food and drink
Barbados is home to many excellent restaurants, each offering the finest of dining experiences. As you would expect, when it comes to Christmas, they go the extra mile to make your celebrations truly special.
You can expect a veritable feast of gourmet delights, ranging from traditional turkey roasts to experimental fusion cuisine and even five-course dinners. Or, perhaps, you’d like to sample a Bajan Christmas dinner with dishes like Jug-Jug, a pudding containing minced pork, salt meat and pigeon peas. This delicious meal is usually followed by a rich slice of Great Cake, a delicious Bajan Christmas pudding, doused in Barbadian rum.
While it might be a little warm for a hot toddy or a mulled wine in Barbados, you can certainly enjoy some Christmas cheer in the form of the famous local rum, with plenty of delicious rum-based cocktails on offer.
Make sure you take a trip to the Mount Gay Visitors Centre in Bridgetown. This 300-year-old rum distillery is the oldest in existence and serves up the finest rum you’ll ever taste.
Destress and detox
Spending a Christmas in Barbados will help you leave your worries behind – simply kick back on a sun lounger on one of the many beautiful, sandy beaches to watch the sun glisten over the crystal-clear waters.
For the ultimate relaxation, treat yourself to one last present at one of Barbados’ heavenly spa centres. There’s no better way to destress and, if you need a detox, there’s plenty of treatments on offer too. For sheer bliss, head to Singita Wellness Spa – designed exclusively for Royal Westmoreland, this palace of pampering delivers first-class treatments in a serene and tranquil setting.
Carols and candles
Just because you’re in the tropics, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some of the traditional Christmas activities you’re used to at home. One of the highlights of the Christmas in Barbados is the Carols by Candlelight event, which takes place in the beautiful gardens of the Prime Minister’s residence, Ilaro Court.
St Nicholas Abbey also hosts Christmas jazz and Christmas carol concerts. Up and down the island, you’ll find events like these taking place in the local churches, many of which are centuries old and offer the perfect setting to truly enter into the Christmas spirit.
The Boxing Day races
The celebratory mood on the island continues on Boxing Day as everyone heads to the stunning Garrison Savannah racecourse to attend the Barbados Turf Club’s annual Stakes and Trophy horse races.
One of the island’s biggest racing events, it has become a traditional part of the Christmas festivities, much like Boxing Day football matches in the UK. The difference, of course, is that in Barbados, you can ditch your coat for a chic pair of sunglasses.
Winter Wonderland at your doorstep
If you are wondering how to spend Christmas in Barbados, Royal Westmoreland offers you the warmest of winter welcomes, complete with festive decorations.
Our private, 750-acre gated estate puts you right in the heart of Barbados’ premier west coast, close to the island’s most beautiful beaches, best restaurants and first-class amenities.
Our luxury accommodation includes everything from seven-bedroom villas, penthouses and townhouses to two-bedroomed apartments and golf cottages – all beautifully designed and equipped to the highest standards. Additionally, we provide exceptional personal service, including a housekeeper and concierge, plus world-class facilities, such as on-site dining , a private beach and championship-class golf course.
Bonus: New Year festivities!
In Barbados, the celebrations are guaranteed to continue all the way into the New Year. You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to New Year’s Eve, with most restaurants offering special New Year’s menus together with firework displays, champagne and entertainment.
Contact us
Speak to our incredible Royal Westmoreland team today to make your Barbados Christmas dream a reality. Choose from a range of luxury holiday villas, or consider buying your very own property with us, to make every single Christmas magical.