There's more going on in the Caribbean in October than hurricane parties! Nevis and St. Lucia play host to a pair of excellent food festivals during the month of September, while Bermuda brings in top acts for one of the region's best music festivals. If you like sailing, or just want to party with some sailors, then don't miss Bonaire's legendary regatta. Here's my picks for the top events, festivals, concerts and more during the month of October...
Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition (NICHE)
© Nevis Tourism Authority
Culinary demonstrations, a tropical beach barbecue, farmer's market, rum tastings, wine and cheese pairings, and gourmet tasting lunches and dinners are all part of the annual Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition (NICHE), a weekend-long event that draws chefs from across the Caribbean.
Bermuda Music Festival
Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Beyonce, UB40, Alicia Keys and many others have graced the stage of the Bermuda Music Festival over the past decade-plus. Performances are held at Bermuda's National Sports Center as well as other venues, including the Fairmont Southampton. The four-day festival is very popular, so get your tickets early!St. Lucia Food and Rum Festival
© St. Lucia Tourist Board
Food lovers, rum connoisseurs, chefs and other gourmands will gather in St. Lucia on the last weekend of October for the St. Lucia Food and Rum Festival, which will feature lectures, cooking demonstrations, dinners, and a Rum Pavilion offering tastings of more than 40 rums from across the Caribbean. The four-day event takes place at Rodney Bay Village.
41st Bonaire International Sailing Regatta
This long-running (and week-long) regatta features races close to the coasts of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, making it easy to follow the events from the shore. The festival around the races includes many events for sports fans, including softball, beach volleyball, and even a dominoes tournament. And of course lots of partying, including a street Carnival. A great time even if you're not a yacht racer or fan.World Creole Music Festival, Dominica
© Discover Dominica Tourism
Held at the end of October, the World Creole Music Festival is the highlight of sleepy Dominica's annual cultural calendar and includes a broad variety of creole music and performers, touching on genres like Cadence-lypso, Kompas, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon, and even Louisiana Zydeco. The festival typically coincides with Dominica's independence celebration, meaning even more parties and fun for visitors.
