Public Holidays & Events

January 1st – New Years Day

Officially a public holiday, the first day of the New Year is celebrated by many with traditional religious services followed by visits to family and friends. In Grenada, New Year’s Day is a public holiday, when banks and most shops are closed.

February 7th – Independence Day

Each year on February 7th, Grenadians celebrate the anniversary of their independence, with national ceremonies and parades featuring the Royal Grenada Police Force, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and various schools. Independence Day is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

April 3rd – Good Friday

On Good Friday, many Christian Churches in Grenada commemorate the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Religious services are held marking Holy Week which starts on Holy Thursday, continue through Good Friday, and climax with the commemoration of the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. Good Friday is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

April 6th – Easter Monday

Easter Monday is an official public holiday given after Easter Sunday. Banks and most shops are closed.

April 24th- 26th – Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival

Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival merges the maroon celebration and string band music into one setting with one spirit. Its African origins are depicted through the drumming, singing, smoked food and other rituals practiced by the local people. It epitomizes food, music and culture by bringing people together. As we say, once you have experienced the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival, your life will never be the same Carriacoumaroon.com

May 1st – Labour Day

May 25th – Whit Monday

Whit Monday is an official public holiday given the day after Whitsunday (Pentecost), a religious festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Banks and most shops are closed.

June 4th – Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is celebrated in the Latin Church on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday to solemnly commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist. In Grenada, religious services are held. Corpus Christi is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

August  3th – Emancipation Day

Emancipation Day is a public holiday celebrating the abolition of slavery. Although officially acknowledged worldwide as August 1st, in Grenada Emancipation Day is celebrated on the first Monday of August with Cultural activities. Emancipation Day is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

August 10th – Carnival Monday

From dawn on Carnival Monday, the streets of Grenada’s towns are filled with traditional masqueraders depicting Devils (Jab-Jabs) and social commentaries of the highlights of the past year (Ole Mas). Spectators and masqueraders dance to the sounds of steel bands and DJ’s playing the latest carnival melodies.

On Monday afternoon the fancy or pretty bands appear briefly on the streets. Later in the evening the Monday Night Mas bands make their way through the streets from 8 pm onwards dancing and waving brightly coloured lights. Carnival Monday is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

August 11th – Carnival Tuesday

Carnival celebrations come to an end on Carnival Tuesday with the parade of the bands. Masqueraders dance through the streets showcasing their brightly coloured costumes to the delight of the crowd with sounds of steel bands and DJ’s playing the latest carnival songs. Carnival Tuesday is a public holiday. Banks and most shops are closed.

Sep. 1st – Kirani Day (Not a Holiday)

Kirani James Day clebrates the achievements of Kirani James Grenada’s first Olympic Gold Medalist.
The day is not a Public Holiday.

Oct 15th – 19th – Aunty Tek Spice Word Festival

The first annual Spice Word Literary Festival was held in 2010.  Fully supported by a visionary private sector it was voted a timely intervention and a resounding success by all Grenadians. Readmore

October 25th – Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving in Grenada is a public holiday commemorating the anniversary of the 1983 Caribbean and American military intervention in Grenada. On October 25th, a joint military force landed in Grenada to restore order to the country following the deaths of then Prime Minister Maurice Bishopand a number of his colleagues. Today, more than 25 years after the event, Grenada remains a peaceful society, welcoming visitors from North America and Europe on a daily basis.
Thanksgiving in Grenada is a public holiday. Banks, business places and most shops are closed.

Dec. 4th – Dec. 6th – Camerhogne Folk Festival

The first Camerhogne Folk Festival was held in 2010. This festival was initiated by the Division of Culture upon recognition that the number of folk groups and performances during major National festival and other cultural events had declined considerably over the years. Readmore

December 25th – Christmas Day

Christmas Day in Grenada is marked by religious celebrations and an increased generosity of spirit among the local population. Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes, the decoration of Christmas trees and homes, Christmas parties with Santa Claus being the special guest at children’s parties and the exchange of gifts during the festive season.

Christian Churches celebrate with midnight services on December 24th. Christmas Day is spent with friends and family, eating traditional Christmas meals and exchanging of gifts. Malls and Stores open late into the evening on Christmas Eve while restaurants offer special Christmas Day menus for both lunch and dinner. Christmas Day is a public holiday. Banks and most business places are closed on this day.

December 26th – Boxing Day

December 26, the day after Christmas Day, is celebrated as Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a public holiday and is used by many to continue visiting friends and family in the spirit of the Christmas season. Banks and most business places are closed on Boxing Day.