Where to Celebrate the Holiday Season in the Caribbean

As temperatures cool down in many parts of North America, the Caribbean’s warmer climes become increasingly enticing. During the holiday season, there are even more reasons to plan an island vacation, as many hotels and destinations offer holiday-themed activities. 

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, for example, festive seasonal activities include a holiday arts, crafts and music festival in St. Thomas (in November); the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade (Dec. 14); and a Crucian Christmas Festival in St. Croix (Dec. 26, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025), which combines African, Caribbean and European traditions with a series of parades, street fairs, live music and dance performances. 

In Grenada, meanwhile, one of the biggest events is the Carriacou Parang Festival, which takes place mid-December and combines Christmas caroling with colorful costumes and traditional Grenadian music. 

Hotels in Grenada offering holiday programming include Royalton Grenada, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, where Santa Claus will be among the attendees at a Christmas tree lighting in December, and an underwater-themed party will ring in the new year on Dec. 31. Nearby, Sandals Grenada will provide a unique opportunity for guests to give to others during the holidays by donating school supplies and creating handmade cards to accompany gifts the Sandals Foundation gives to children. 

Colombia’s Caribbean coast is another rewarding place to visit for the holidays. The city of Cartagena hosts Dia de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) on Dec. 7, which features thousands of candles and lanterns around the city. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks light up the sky, accompanied by live music and street parties. 

Caribbean Hotels with Holiday Programming

A variety of hotels around the region organize festive activities exclusively for guests. In Antigua, Carlisle Bay Antigua offers Festive Week in the Bay, a series of activities that runs from Dec. 23, 2024, until Jan. 3, 2025, with cocktail parties, fashion shows, spa events and live musical performances. Special menus are in the works, and for New Year’s Eve, the hotel will stage a party with live music, fireworks and a barbecue.

In Aruba, meanwhile, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino will host gingerbread house decorating classes in December, as well as holiday-themed afternoon teas and a beachfront New Year’s Eve “dinner under the fireworks.”

Multiple properties in the Bahamas are gearing up for holiday excitement. At Caerula Mar Club, for example, executive chef Carlos Alvarez is creating a special Christmas menu, and guests can attend a black-and-white New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31. Resorts World Bimini is hosting a New Year’s Eve buffet and a countdown party, while Atlantis Paradise Island is hosting a multinight Party Like A Royal event to celebrate the coming of the new year. The festivities promise an extensive lineup of performers, including Grammy Award-winning artist Lil Jon on New Year's Eve, plus surprise performances in various venues.  

In the British Virgin Islands, guests can take part in a variety of programs at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, including a gingerbread decorating contest, a holiday cooking class, a Christmas Eve dinner and a Christmas morning celebration with Santa. 

The entire month of December will be festive at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort in Grand Cayman. Every day during throughout the month, hotel staff will hide two Elf on the Shelf figures in various places around the property, and it’s up to guests to find them. In Curacao, meanwhile, Curacao Marriott Beach Resort will feature special holiday menus and celebrations.  

Puerto Rico is another lively place to vacation in December. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is organizing culinary events as well as a grand New Year’s Eve celebration that will feature a raw bar and live chef station; the event is kid-friendly, but children can also attend a New Year’s Eve slumber party that will include screenings of the “Despicable Me” movies. The calendar of children’s activities for the month also includes gingerbread and pizza workshops and visits to a petting zoo and dog shelter. 

Also in Puerto Rico, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico will host a “fireworks style” drone show on New Year’s Eve, accompanied by live performances by Puerto Rican musicians Pirulo y La Tribu, Charlie Aponte and Oscarito.

In St. Kitts, Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour will host themed culinary events and traditional steelpan lessons, as well as cookie and holiday stocking decorating at its children’s club. Guests can also learn to make holiday-inspired cocktails and holiday candles. 

Events at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, meanwhile, include a Tropical Tidings seafood dinner at Sails restaurant and a Christmas Carol-Oke karaoke talent show in its Topgolf Suite. Poolside screenings of holiday movies, accompanied by hot chocolate and popcorn, are additional activities for the season.