Valentine's Day Events in the Caribbean

Ready to celebrate love? Check out these romantic Valentine’s Day events in the Caribbean!

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and that means that shops everywhere are stocking up on cutesy cards and silly little stuffed animals (at least in the US, anyway). Drug stores are set to make a buck or two off impulse candy-buying at the registers, and jewelry stores are full of husbands worried about picking just the right ring or necklace.

It’s certainly a materialistic holiday, and most will celebrate it with gifts and romantic dates. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Why not spend your Valentine’s Day this year in the Caribbean? After all, it’s one of the dreamest, most romantic places on earth. Better yet, why not attend one of these charming Valentine’s Day events in the Caribbean?

Valentine’s Day Events in the Caribbean

Sweethearts of the Caribbean and Classic Yacht Regatta in B.V.I.

This event, held annually on Valentine’s Day week, is a boat race hosted by the Loyal West End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands. The event includes several different races, plus an an Open Class category, in which boats of any age, construction or type can participate.

Valentine Jump Up in U.S.V.I.

Mocko Jumbies dance in the streets during Jump Up in St. Croix. (Photo credit: gotostcroix.com)

Jump Up is a cultural party similar to carnival that takes place four times per year in Christiansted, St. Croix. Sponsored by the CRRA (Christiansted Restaurant & Retail Association), the Valentine Jump Up party features arts and crafts, street food, music, dancers on stilts, and family fun. The event takes place on the Friday closest to Valentine’s Day each year from 6 to 10 pm.

Casals Festival in Puerto Rico

The Casals Festival is an annual classical music event held annually in Puerto Rico. In 2019, it took place from March 3th to March 16, at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in Santurce, San Juan.

The festival was founded by famous Spanish cellist Pablo Casals 63 years ago. Today, it features a variety of classical music groups and orchestras. Past events have included the Philharmonic Choir of San Juan, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, and the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. This year’s event will take place from March 01 to March 14, 2020.

Holetown Festival, Barbados

The annual Holetown festival in Barbados commemorates the anniversary of the first English settlement in Holetown on February 17, 1627. It features a week-long celebration with food, fun, and culturally significant events for the whole family. This year, the festival will take place from February 16th 2020 to February 23rd. According to Barbados.org, some of the events included are:

Nightly variety concerts at the Seaside Theatre
Street Fair and Parade
Holetown Dooflicky and Bajan Carnival
Grand Floodlit Tattoo and Night March
Holetown bus tours
Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talks

Visit Barbados.org for more information!

Nautical Week in Martinique

Also known as the Schoelcher International Nautical Week (SINW), this sailing event in Martinique draws competitors from all over the world. It normally takes place on the second week in February.

Puerto Rico Freefall Festival

What better way to celebrate romance than “falling”? After all, Valentine’s Day is all about falling in love. The Puerto Rico Freefall Festival, hosted by Xtreme Divers in Puerto Rico, is essentially a celebration of extreme sports. Held each year in February, it features freefly coaching, tandems, live entertainment, catering, and more. This year’s festival (2020) will take place on February 12th to the 16th.

Find out more about this event on the Xtreme Divers Facebook Page!

Valentine’s Day Cup, Turks and Caicos

At Bambarra Beach in Middle Caicos, you can catch an exciting sailboat race. However, these aren’t just any boats– they’re gum-elemi model sailboats. On February 14th, there will be food, fun and music on the beach from 11AM until dark. The entire community gets involved, either carving or racing the sailboats, cooking up food, playing live music, or simply enjoying the festivities with family!

In addition, there’s a Chocolate Lover’s Showcase on the island of Providenciales held at the Regent Palms Courtyard in February. You can sample both sweet and savoury treats from local businesses, and support local fundraising efforts. In 2016, for example, the event raised funds to purchase lunches for about 6,000 highschool students.

Plan your Valentine’s Getaway

Planning on traveling to the Caribbean with your significant other for Valentine’s Day? Here are some great ideas for ways to make the occasion extra special!

Take a sunset walk on the beach

Yes, it’s definitely cliche, but how many of us have actually ever done it? Take the time to find a beach that’s open at least until sundown so you can take this iconic stroll with your lover on Valentine’s Day.

Set up a picnic lunch or dinner

Setting up a romantic meal on the beach doesn’t have to be complicated. Concierge services can make it so much simpler. Plus, it will be much easier to surprise your lover.

However, setting up a picnic can be as easy as making some delicious food yourself in your vacation rental (or ordering it to go from a restaurant) and packing it up to take to the beach. Add a blanket, some flowers, maybe a candle or two, and voila! You’ve got a romantic date set up on the beach.

Book a reservation for fine dining

This one’s a no-brainer. If there’s ever a night to go all-in on the fancy dining, it’s Valentine’s! However, you can always go a bit more budget-friendly by cooking up something spectacular in your rental villa. Sometimes, that can be more thoughtful and special than going out!

Splurge on that special activity

Have you always wanted to go bungee jumping or skydiving? Or perhaps swim with dolphins or nurse sharks? Oftentimes activities like these are among the most expensive. So, they just might make the perfect special occasion treat for Valentine’s Day in the Caribbean! Ask your significant other what activity or excursion they’ve always wanted to try, and book it in advance to reserve a spot. Bonus points: make it a complete surprise!

In addition, you can take your loved one to Valentine’s Day events in the Caribbean to make some unique memories.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Key Caribe!

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