ST. BARTS: FESTIVALS

St. Barts has a full calendar of festivals throughout the year. On January 5, celebrate Three Kings Day, "Galette des rois" is celebrated with Epiphany cake. Also in January, the St. Barts Music Festival offers two weeks of music ranging from jazz to chamber music to opera with concerts in Gustavia and Lorient. Carnival is scheduled for February, with Mardi Gras costumed parades and partying in Gustavia; Ash Wednesday burning of Vaval (King Carnival) at Shell Beach. Most businesses closed during these festivities.

In April, the Festival Gastronomique of St. Barts includes presentations of regional wine and cooking from France at select island hotels and restaurants.