Barbados Crop Over (Carnival)

July 31st – August 06th, 2024.

The Barbados Crop Over Festival is an annual 3-month-long festival of Barbadian music, arts, food, culture and so much more. The festival dates back to the 17th century, and it is one of the most popular and colourful events in the Caribbean. Crop Over celebrates the official end of the sugar cane season, and is celebrated with a variety of parties and other festivities from dusk to dawn, arts and crafts markets, culinary-driven street fairs, and more.

Grand Kadooment Day celebrates the end of Crop Over in Barbados. It starts early morning at the National Stadium, and beautiful masquerade bands traverse the local city streets, as they make their way to Spring Garden highway. The masquerade bands comprise revellers dressed in sequin costumes decorated with colourful feathers, jewels, and bright accents; dancing behind music trucks and moving bars. The finale of Crop Over’s events makes this the island’s most exciting day of the year. As you will hear Bajans say: “Crop Over it sweet fuh days!”

The present-day Crop Over Festival is a uniquely Barbadian festival that emerged out of the tensions in the meeting and merging of the island’s British and West African heritage. Once called “Harvest Home”, it is one of the oldest celebrations in the western hemisphere. The origins of Crop Over are traced back centuries to when Barbados was the world’s largest producer of sugar. Crop Over began back in 1687 on sugar cane plantations during slavery. It began as a way to celebrate the end of the sugar cane crop.

The Crop Over traditions that continue today includes singing, drinking, dancing, and eating competitions. The most notable is having a “King” and “Queen” of the crop. There is also a heavy focus on Calypso music, which is a social and political commentary on current issues affecting Barbados.

Tour Outline

• Day 1: Arrival Barbados – Meet And Greet
• Day 2: Island Tour – Fete #1: Lush Cooler Party
• Day 3: Fete #2: Mimosa Breakfast Party – Oistins Fish Fry
• Day 4: Fete #3: Am Bush (Foreday Morning) – Fete #4: Bliss All Inclusive
• Day 5: Dinner Cruise
• Day 6: Kadooment Day Parade
• Day 7: Departure

What’s Included

• All activities mentioned on the itinerary inclusive of all tickets and entrance fees.
• Hand-picked accommodations.
• Group transportation.
• Arrival airport transfer.
• Accommodation in double rooms. Single occupancy option is available.
• Backline Carnival Costume (you have the choice to upgrade to a frontline costume).
• Costume pickup.
• Dinner Cruise
• Photography.

Barbados Crop Over Group Itinerary

Wednesday July 31: Arrive in Barbados – Meet and Greet

Arrive in Barbados and transfer to your chosen accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you will then be taken immediately afterwards to Soca Islands Meet and Greet event. This is the perfect opportunity to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers who will be partying with you for the next seven days.

Thursday August 01: Land Tour – Lush Cooler Party

We dive into an day of adventure with a trip to some of the natural wonders of Barbados. We journey through Harrison’s Cave, indulge in the delights of a rum estate tour (complete with tastings, of course), and capture moments at Bathsheba Beach. Later in the evening we attend the first fete on our list—Lush Cooler Party.

Friday August 02: Mimosa Breakfast Party – Oistins’ Fish Fry

We kick off our day bright and early, heading out from the hotel just before sunrise for Crop Over’s top breakfast event, Mimosa. Get ready for a delightful feast featuring premium drinks and scrumptious food. As the day winds down, we’ll make our way to Oistins for its lively Fish Fry—an absolute must-do when visiting Barbados.

Saturday August 03: AM Bush (Foreday Morning) – Bliss All-Inclusive

This morning, we embark on an early adventure to revel in the lively atmosphere of Caesar’s Army AM Bush Foreday Morning event, where we’ll celebrate with vibrant paint and powder. Later in the day, we’ll don our finest attire for Bliss Summer Edition, an ultra-inclusive event filled with ultra premium drinks and delightful cuisine.

Sunday August 04: Dinner Cruise

The day is free for you to enjoy as you please… walk on the beach, dip in the pool, sleep-in. As evening sets in, we relish a tranquil sail on the afternoon waters of Barbados, savouring the sunset accompanied by a delightful dinner.

Monday August 05: Kadooment Day Parade (Full Costume)

All year long, we’ve been anticipating this moment, and now it’s time to hit the road and cross the stage. Today, we’ll be parading through the streets of Bridgetown, the vibrant capital city of Barbados, showcasing our costumes. Today also marks the end of the Crop Over festivities.

Tuesday August 06: Barbados Departure

Savour your last morning in Barbados. Depending on your departure time, you might have a few hours for some last-minute shopping or a final dip in the sea. Bid farewell to the island as you head to the airport for your departure.

Barbados Crop Over payment plan.

Initial Deposit: 15%
Final Payment due on or before May 31 2024

Soca Islands provides you with the most flexible payment plan making it super easy and affordable to book your Barbados Crop Over experience by asking for payments in three installments. Your 15% deposit is due upon booking, followed by 35% of the total cost due 30 days after booking. The remaining 50% due 60 days before your trip.

For bookings made between 90 and 60 days before the start date of the experience, 50% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.

Bookings made between 60 days and 30 days before the start date of the experience, 100% of the total cost of the experience must be paid upon booking.

Accommodations

Here’s a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.

Hilton Barbados Resort

Situated alongside the Caribbean Sea with two pristine beaches, this luxurious five-star hotel in Needhams Point boasts three tennis courts, on-site dining options, and an expansive infinity pool complex. Each room provides a balcony with breathtaking ocean views. Guests at Hilton Barbados can indulge in the oversized tropical outdoor pool, relax in the hot tub and sauna, or maintain their fitness routine in the well-equipped fitness center. A spa is available for soothing massages, and the property includes a 17th-century fort, designated as part of Barbados’ UNESCO heritage. Additionally, the resort provides state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities.

South Gap Hotel

Situated a mere 500 meters from Dover Beach, South Gap Hotel boasts an outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi for its guests. Nestled in the St. Lawrence Gap district, visitors can explore numerous dining options and entertainment venues, including nightclubs. The dormitories feature practical decor, equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, and a kitchenette complete with a fridge. Each dormitory also includes a balcony, and the private bathroom is fitted with a shower.