EVENTS
Jazz Festival
Usually held in the first two weeks of May at various venues on St Lucia, celebrations last for a minimum of ten days. One of the biggest events of the year, and the largest jazz festival in the Caribbean; George Benson and John Legend performed in 2007.
Carnival
The year’s main event, carnival runs through June and July, with highlights on July 16 and 17.
Independence Day
A national holiday throughout St Lucia, marking the island’s full independence from the United Kingdom on 22 February, 1979. Every year the day is celebrated with calypso, live music and other events, particularly in the capital Castries.
St. Lucia Bill Fishing Tournament
A three-day competition in September, open to anglers from all over the Caribbean. The Marina at Marigot Bay on St Lucia's scenic west coast is the new venue for the event; however the weighing station is at Rodney Bay where all are invited to see the catches at the end of each fishing day, with the Blue Marlin as the most sought-after catch.
Heineken Kalalu Music Festival
Held in December, this is the Caribbean’s most diverse musical event featuring international artists and sponsored by Heineken Music. A four-day festival of fun, food, and fantastic music, ranging from the traditional to the popular, it celebrates St. Lucia’s Creole and Anglo-French links to Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
International Creole Day
Held annually on the Sunday closest to October 28, International Creole Day celebrates the island's rich cultural identity with a varied programme of performance. Typically held in rural communities where the Creole identity is strongest, visitors can experience storytelling and music in the lyrical kweyol (Creole) language, along with tasty Creole dishes such as fishcakes, bwapain woti (roasted breadfruit), and the national dish, greenfig and saltfish.