- Barbados invites the diaspora and holidaymakers to come to the island for We Gatherin’ 2025. This will be 12 months of celebrating the island’s rich culture, heritage, and community.
- The Barbados Heritage District is set to open in 2025, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the island’s important and rich cultural and historical legacy
- An array of exciting new developments in hotels, hospitality and sporting events come to the island
Dublin, 11 February 2025: The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) invites curious travellers to the island, to experience all that makes it the gem of the Caribbean; from its history, culture and people to the unforgettable experiences on offer.
A highlight for 2025, is We Gatherin’, 52 weeks of celebrating the island’s culture and heritage. The theme for this year’s long celebration is “Come ‘long Home”, inviting Barbadians and holidaymakers from around the world to visit the island. The festival will begin in January 2025, with events taking place in each parish throughout the year, culminating in nationwide celebrations from 30th November to the 31st December.
Each month highlights a different parish, showcasing its unique theme and vibrant colours:
- January: St. Lucy – Faith – this has included a Gospel Concert and interactive session, Standpipe Stories, hosted by Dr. Tara Inniss, Lecturer in the department of History, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
- February: St. Peter – Heritage
- March: St. Thomas – Nature
- April: St. Joseph – Adventure
- May: St. John – Community
- June: St. George – The Land
- July: St. Philip – Sugar
- August: St. Andrew – The Arts
- September: St. James – Cricket
- October: Christ Church – The Sea
- November: St. Michael – Food and Feting
- December: Barbados will close the year with a grand nationwide celebration honouring family and friends
This year the island’s iconic Crop Over Festival will take place from July 1st – August 4th, when Barbados comes alive with colourful costumes, musical renditions, calypso competitions, dance, accompanied by an infectious party atmosphere. Residents and visitors to the island will participate in the 2025 edition of the Barbados Food & Rum Festival from October 23rd -26th ,which showcases the island’s finest culinary talent and the best local rums that Barbados has to offer.
A key development for 2025 is the opening of the new Barbados Heritage District on 14th May 2025, situated on the largest and oldest known slave burial site located in Newton, Christ Church. The opening of this site will coincide with the observance of the 400th anniversary of the landing of English ships on its shores and ahead of the 60th anniversary of Barbados’ independence in 2026. The new District signifies an important and enlightening insight into the role Barbados played during this time and the resilience of its people during that era.
A wide range of new hotels, restaurants, and world-class sporting events will be unveiled in Barbados in 2025. From luxurious resorts to vibrant culinary hotspots, Barbados is set to captivate visitors by showcasing its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality.
Barbados Heritage District: A Celebration of Culture and History
Scheduled to open in 2025, the Barbados Heritage District will consist of a trio of significant sites, including a memorial, a global research institute, and a museum, each serving as a stronghold of knowledge and remembrance, bringing to life the largest collection of Transatlantic Slave records in the world. This district will be situated at the Newton Slave Burial Ground, the largest and oldest slave burial site identified in Barbados.
Designed by the acclaimed British Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the memorial will rise majestically from this sacred land, where the past still echoes with poignant stories. 570 timber poles will pay tribute to the 570 enslaved West Africans interred in unmarked graves at this location.
New Hotels and Resorts for 2025 and Beyond
Barbados is expanding its hospitality offerings with several major hotel developments slated for completion in 2025 and beyond:
The Blue Monkey Hotel and Beach Club (Opening May 2025):
Nestled in Paynes Bay on the west coast of Barbados, The Blue Monkey Hotel and Beach Club is a luxurious boutique property that epitomises island elegance. With just 28 one- and two-bedroom suites, including some with private plunge pools, the hotel offers an intimate and exclusive experience.
Hotel Indigo Barbados (Opening May 2025):
A boutique hotel under the prestigious InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hotel Indigo Barbados is set to open in May 2025 with 132 rooms. Celebrated worldwide for its distinctive design and individuality, Hotel Indigo will offer a blend of modern luxury and local flair. The hotel will boast a rooftop bar, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness centre.
Royalton Barbados (Opening Late 2026):
A new adults-only resort, Royalton Barbados, will open in late 2026. This ultra-luxury resort, part of the Blue Diamond Resorts family, will feature 232 rooms, including penthouses and chairman suites, as well as an exclusive butler service. It promises to deliver an intimate, sophisticated experience for guests looking for a private escape.
Pendry (Opening late 2026):
This high end luxury property is scheduled to open late 2026 and will feature 74 5-star ocean view rooms. Highlights include butler service, as well as penthouse and chairman suites.
In addition to these new properties, The Marriott group is undergoing renovations and upgrades to some of the hotels in the group:
- The House: The popular all-inclusive boutique resort from Marriott is scheduled to re-open in 2025 following a full renovation
- Treasure Beach: Treasure Beach is scheduled to re-open 15th December, 2025 following a full renovation
- Waves Hotel & Spa: Waves remained open during the entire renovation process. Changes included transformation of the current Shiso restaurant, in addition to an enhanced look of the main seaside building.
New Dining and Culinary Experiences
Bali Barbados (Located on Pebbles Beach):
New to the island’s South Coast is Bali Barbados, a chic beachside restaurant that brings the flavors of Indonesia to the heart of the Caribbean. Bali Barbados offers Asian-inspired dishes that are flavorful yet light, making it the perfect place to indulge without feeling weighed down.
Sawubona (Located at The Walk, Welches, St. Thomas):
This fully gluten-free restaurant takes pride in its allergen-friendly ingredients and preparation methods, ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all guests. Whether it’s a business meeting or family gathering, Sawubona is dedicated to creating a space where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
Madison Bistro (Located in Christ Church)
A vibrant fusion of Bajan cuisine and Southern American soul food, offering a dynamic dining experience that celebrates the flavors of both cultures. The menu reimagines traditional recipes with a modern twist, bringing fresh, bold flavors to the Barbados culinary scene.
Thrilling Sporting Events to Watch in 2025
In addition to its stellar hospitality and dining offerings, Barbados will host a variety of world-class sporting events in 2025 set to spotlight Barbados as a destination for sports tourism, attracting athletes and spectators to experience the island’s world-class facilities and vibrant culture:
- Barbados Surf Pro (24th – 30th March): In partnership with the World Surf League, a thrilling surf competition that brings top surfers to the island’s world-class waves.
- European Legends Tour Golf (25th – 27th April): Set on the stunning Apes Hill golf resort and hosted by legendary Welsh golfer Ian Woosnam OBE, the Legends Tour is a prestigious golf tournament featuring some of the biggest names in European golf.
- Caribbean Premier League (August – September): The annual T20 cricket league that showcases the region’s best players in an action-packed format.
- Barbados Dive Festival (15th – 20th August): In partnership with the Professional Association of Dive Instructors. A celebration of Barbados’ exceptional diving sites, featuring workshops, tours, and underwater competitions.
- Barbados Open Water Swim Festival (5th – 9th November): A series of open-water swimming competitions in the crystal-clear waters off Barbados’ coastline.
- Run Barbados (5th – 7th December): One of the region’s premier marathon events, attracting runners from across the globe.
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