December 2020 Saint-Barthélemy — With 2021 right around the corner, let’s take a look at the French holidays that will impact scheduling in the year ahead. Notably, you can keep informed of Bureau Xavier David business hours and holiday closings via updates on our Twitter feed: @bureauxd.
First, January 1st, New Years Day (Jour de l’An), a Friday which sets up the New Year to begin with a nice long holiday weekend.
Next up would actually be an unofficial holiday, the afternoon of the Carnavale parade on Tuesday, February 16th.
After the fun of Mardi Gras, the island settles into a more sober season in preparation of Easter or Pâques, Sunday, April 4th. Locals often celebrate the long Pâques weekend (which includes Easter Monday, April 5th) with camping arrangements at the beach. Informally, Easter marks the end of the winter high season of tourism.
Moving into May, there are typically several official French holidays on the the calendar. Beginning with Saturday, May 1st which is the Labor Day in France. A week later, Saturday, May 8th is a holiday to mark the anniversary of World War II victory. Thursday, May 13th marks Ascension and Monday, May 24th Pentecost celebrates the end of the lengthy Easter season.
There are no holidays during a June lull although officially hurricane season begins Monday, June 1st.
Mid-July means Bastille Day, the July 14th National Holiday with the weather heating up for summer season.
August is a popular month amongst Europeans for vacations and includes a couple of holidays, Assomption on Sunday, August 15th and then the local holiday celebration of Saint-Barthélemy feast day on Tuesday, August 24th.
September is a quiet month...except that it marks the peak of the Cape Verde hurricane threat.
October is a reawakening as the cooler, post-hurricane days signal the return of the upcoming high tourist season.
The next holidays are Monday, November 1st Toussaint and then Thursday, November 11th Armistice Day. Although not officially a St Barts holiday, the American Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 25th marks the unofficial kick off of the high tourist season. November rounds out with the official end of Atlantic Hurricane season on Tuesday, November 30th.
Lastly, December is highlighted with the Noël Christmas on Saturday, December 25th and then New Year’s Eve on Saturday, December 31st to complete the annual cycle.
List of Official French Holidays for 2021:
New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An), Friday, January 1, 2021
*Fat Tuesday (Carnavale / Mardi Gras), Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Easter (Pâques), Sunday, April 4, 2021
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques), Monday, April 5, 2021
Labor Day (Fête du Premier Mai), Saturday, May 1, 2021
World War II Victory Day (Jour de la Victoire), Saturday, May 8, 2021
Ascension (Jour de l’Ascension), Thursday, May 13, 2021
Pentecost (Lundi de Pentecôte), Monday, May 24, 2021
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale), Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption), Sunday, August 15, 2021
*Saint-Barthélemy Day, (Fête de Saint-Barthélemy), Tuesday, August 24, 2021
All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint), Monday, November 1, 2021
Armistice Day (Jour d’Armistice), Thursday, November 11, 2021
Christmas Day (Noël), Saturday, December 25, 2021
