Your Ultimate Guide To Barbados

Holetown Festival

In 1625, the British landed at Holetown, which was the site of the first settlement on the island of Barbados. Holetown was originally names Jamestown after King James I, however, that name was subsequently changed to Holetown after the existence of a small stream called the 'Hole' that was used by ships as a port of landing. The opening celebrations of the Holetown Festival take place at the Holetown Monument, which pays homage to the first settlers on the island at the time.

The now deceased Alfred Pragnell, considered to be Barbados' most versatile and creative broadcaster, storyteller and actor, was the one responsible for giving birth to this festival along with the assistance of Keith Simmons and members of the Trents Northern Youth Group. Together, they were able to put together a committee that coordinated the first Holetown Festival back in 1977.

The week-long Holetown Festival has grown from strength to strength and every year during the month of February, patrons to the festival would see a varied entertainment package that includes folk dancing, tuk-band, calypso, a Queen Show, street parades, local arts and crafts, sporting events, antique car parades and an arts and crafts exhibition.

The streets of Holetown in Barbados truly come alive on the Saturday of the festival as this is when various stalls are scattered throughout the Holetown area for vendors to showcase their local crafts, art, food, beverages and clothing.

Barbados has certainly become a planning spot for the Holetown Festival as visitors and locals have planned their schedules around the festival.