Events in the month of December are primarily focused on Christmas events and celebrating the holiday season. Some of these events, in addition to other cultural events, are noted below for your viewing pleasure:
Carols by Candlelight
Date: 11th December
Venue: Ilaro Court, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael
Start Time: 5:30pm
One of the most anticipated events on the Christmas calendar, Carols by Candlelight 2016, promises to be one of its best instalments yet. Experience the meaning of Christmas with popular artistes such as Tamara Marshall, Biggie Ire and Marissa Lyndsey. Simple finger foods will be on sale throughout the night, but soft drinks – and candles – are free of cost. And, don’t forget to walk with a gift for a boy or girl (infant to 16 years old) and place the gender and the age of person the gift will be suitable for.
St. Winifred’s Annual Pantomime – Shrek
Dates: 2nd – 4th, 7th, 9th – 11th, 14th, 16th – 18th, 21st – 22nd December
Venue: St. Winifred’s School Hall, Pine Gardens, St. Michael
Start Time: 6:00pm (Sundays) 7:00pm (All other days)
Another keenly anticipated event on the Christmas calendar is the annual pantomime, hosted every two years by the St. Winifred’s School (and every other year by St. Ursula’s). This year, the students will be performing the popular animated show, Shrek.
Old Year’s Night Elevate Suit and Tie Via Monte Napoleone
Date: 31st December
Venue: Rare Maison
Time: 10:00pm – 4:00am
What better way to ring in the New Year than at an elegant suit and tie event? This event is hosted by Elevate Events in collaboration with Johnnie Walker and Piper Rare Champagne. Toast the New Year with any premium drink of your choice, while liming with friends, loved ones and acquaintances.
Enchanted Light Forest at Farley Hill
Dates: 16th – 24th, 26th – 31st
Venue: Farley Hill National Park, Benny Hall, St. Peter
Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
At this event, enjoy Self-guided tours through the forest (City of Gold, Land of Love, Sweetness Galore, Water World), Bajan food and magic, Christmas Market and a fully stocked bar and Café. This is an event no to be missed in December.
Carols at St. Nicholas Abbey
Date: 18th December
Venue: St Nicholas Abbey, Cherry Tree Hill, St Peter
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you were one of the unlucky few to miss Carols by Candlelight, or if you desire to enjoy even more carols this holiday season, head up to St Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter, where you can enjoy the Royal Barbados Police Force Band performing many of the season’s popular carols. Refreshments will be on sale and all proceeds will go to gifts for underprivileged children and to Children’s charities across Barbados. Also, like Carols by Candlelight, be sure to walk with a gift wrapped for a child, stating the age and gender for whom the gift is appropriate.
BOA 50th Anniversary Independence Games
Dates: 6th – 11th
Venues: Various
Times: Various
Who says the Independence celebrations must end on November 30th? For those of you who still feel nostalgic about our 50th year of Independence, continue to celebrate the occasion by attending one of the many events as part of the Barbados Olympic Association’s 50th Anniversary Independence Games. Enjoy a multiplicity of sports including Boxing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Surfing, and Rugby.
Eco Adventure Tours: Historic Speightstown – Land and Sea Experience
Dates: 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th December
Venue: The Speightstown Esplanade, Speightstown, St. Peter
Start Times: 9:00am and 2:00pm
Join Eco Adventures for a 3 hour rewarding tour, discovering the uniqueness of the beautiful island of Barbados. First, take a walk through one of Barbados’ historic towns (Speightstown) and then enjoy a lovely kayak ride on its shores. Tours are available both in the morning and the afternoon.
Open House: Wildey House
Date: 14th December
Venue: Wildey House, Wildey
St. Michael
Times: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
This week’s open house will be held at the headquarters of the Barbados National trust, a classic Georgian style mansion built around 1760. The dress for this event is casual, as you will explore the various floors of this wonderfully restored home, furnished with the antiques of its previous owners the Leacocks.
Myriad Singers in A Christmas Concert
Date: 18th December
Venue: Frank Collymore Hall, Church Village, Bridgetown
Start Time: 7:00pm
For a truly special Christmas event, come out to the Frank Collymore Hall, where the Myriad Singers will be rendering a series of carols in their Christmas concert entitled “A Ceremony of Carols”.
Classical/Pops Festival at Apes Hill
Dates: 9th – 10th December
Venue: Apes Hill Golf Club, St. James, Barbados
Start time: 7:00pm
Come out to Apes hill on the aforementioned dates to see the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, the 70 piece all-star orchestra for the third instalment of this Christmas event. On Saturday, the orchestra will engage in a special performance with the superstars of Broadway II: Heather Headley and David Miller.
Nexworld Productions: Mahalia’s Corner Christmas Edition
Date: 11th December
Venue: Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael
Start time: 8:00pm
Mahalia’s Corner creates a stage for individuals to express themselves in various art forms including spoken word and music, all designed to feed Mind, Body and Soul. This session’s opening act will be 2 Mile Hill, which will be followed by an open mic session. There will also be a special guest performance by Cha’an with G Horns.
Paint and Groove with Yasmin at Seabreeze Hotel
Date: 12th December
Venue: Seabreeze Beach Hotel, Maxwell Coast Rd., Christ Church
Start time: 6:00pm
Looking for a different experience? Visit the Seabreeze Beach Hotel and create your own masterpiece with Yasmin. The title of the evening is “Sailboat” and the admission cost of $100 includes instructions, art materials, 2 cocktails and canapés. Enjoy “A little wine, a little paint and a whole lot of fun!”
TTAB Trini Christmas Lime
Date: 11th December
Venue: The Barbados Museum & Historical Society, The Garrison, St. Michael
Start time: 11:30am
For all those Bajans with Trini roots or for those Trinis living in Barbados, this event is for you. Enjoy this event hosted by the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Barbados (TTAB), where persons can come out and enjoy a buffet of Trinidad Christmas Food and Treats and live entertainment, with many door prizes and giveaways to be won. Tip: Walk with your dancing shoes!
So, whether you engage in the multiplicity of Christmas activities during this month, or catch a few cultural events, make sure to enjoy this wonderful season.
Happy Holidays from GoBarbados!
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