Barbados Public Holidays
Barbados observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Browse Barbados holidays by year
Choose a year to see the complete public holiday calendar and planning details.
2026 holidays
A quick look at public holidays in Barbados.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Jan 21 | Wednesday | Errol Barrow Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| Apr 28 | Tuesday | National Heroes' Day |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Aug 1 | Saturday | Emancipation Day |
| Aug 3 | Monday | Kadooment Day |
| Nov 30 | Monday | Independence Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
About public holidays in Barbados
Barbados observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Some holidays are observed nationwide, while others may apply only to specific regions or communities.
Use the year pages above to see the full holiday calendar.
About public holidays in Barbados
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of public holidays in Barbados. Holidays are observed nationwide and are typically non-working days for most of the population. You can find definitions for public holidays on our global public holidays page. For a complete list of dated holidays in Barbados, please visit the Barbados holidays in 2026 page.
Major public holidays in 2026
Barbados observes a variety of national holidays throughout the year, celebrating historical events, national figures, and cultural traditions. Many of these holidays are fixed, while others, like those tied to Easter, shift annually.
In addition to the holidays listed below, you can find a full calendar of events and observances for Barbados in 2026 on our year-specific page.
- New Year's Day — 1 January 2026. Marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year.
- Errol Barrow Day — 21 January 2026. Honors the first Prime Minister of Barbados.
- Good Friday — 3 April 2026. A Christian observance commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.
- National Heroes' Day — 28 April 2026. Celebrates the island's national heroes.
- Independence Day — 30 November 2026. Commemorates Barbados' independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.
- Christmas Day — 25 December 2026. A widely celebrated Christian holiday.
Planning around holidays
Public holidays in Barbados often fall on Mondays or Fridays, creating opportunities for extended weekends. However, some holidays are fixed dates, regardless of the day of the week. It's advisable to check the specific date for any holiday you plan around, as business operations and transportation schedules may be affected.
- Fixed Dates: Holidays like New Year's Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day occur on the same date each year.
- Variable Dates: Holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Whit Monday are determined by the lunar calendar and vary annually.
- Monday Holidays: Several holidays, including Errol Barrow Day and National Heroes' Day, are often observed on a Monday, facilitating three-day weekends.
- August Holidays: Emancipation Day and Kadooment Day in August are significant cultural celebrations.
- Year-End Holidays: Boxing Day follows Christmas Day, providing another potential break near the end of the year.
Plan Your Year Around BB Holidays
View Barbados holidays in calendar mode
Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.