December 2021 Saint-Barthélemy — With 2022 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 Saturday which sets up the New Year to begin with a nice holiday weekend.
Next up would actually be an unofficial holiday, the afternoon of the Carnavale parade on Tuesday, March 1st.
After the vibrant fun of Mardi Gras, the island settles into preparation for Easter or Pâques, Sunday, April 17th. Local residents often celebrate the long Pâques weekend (which includes Easter Monday, April 18th) with camping arrangements at the beach. Informally, Easter marks the end of the winter high season of tourism on the island.
Moving into May, there are typically several official French holidays on the the calendar. Beginning with Sunday, May 1st which is the Labor Day in France. A week later, Sunday, May 8th is a holiday to mark the anniversary of World War II victory. Thursday, May 26th marks Ascension and on Monday, June 6th Pentecost celebrates the end of the lengthy Easter season.
Although not a cause for celebration, it should also be noted that the Atlantic Hurricane season officially begins Wednesday, June 1st.
Mid-July means Bastille Day or the French National Holiday on Thursday, July 14th in 2022.
August is a popular month for Europeans to take vacations and includes a couple of holidays, Assomption on Monday, August 15th and then the local holiday celebration of the Saint-Barthélemy feast day on Wednesday, 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 Tuesday, November 1st Toussaint and then Friday, November 11th Armistice Day. Although not officially a St Barts holiday, the American Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 24th marks the unofficial kick off of the high tourist season. November rounds out with the official end of Atlantic Hurricane season on Wednesday, November 30th.
Lastly, December is highlighted with the Noël Christmas on Sunday, December 25th and then New Year’s Eve on Saturday, December 31st to complete the annual cycle.
List of Official French Holidays for 2022:
New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An), Saturday, January 1, 2022
*Fat Tuesday (Carnavale / Mardi Gras), Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Easter (Pâques), Sunday, April 17, 2022
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques), Monday, April 18, 2022
Labor Day (Fête du Premier Mai), Sunday, May 1, 2022
World War II Victory Day (Jour de la Victoire), Sunday, May 8, 2022
Ascension (Jour de l’Ascension), Thursday, May 26, 2022
Pentecost (Lundi de Pentecôte), Monday, June 6, 2022
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale), Thursday, July 14, 2022
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption), Monday, August 15, 2022
*Saint-Barthélemy Day, (Fête de Saint-Barthélemy), Wednesday, August 24, 2022
All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint), Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Armistice Day (Jour d’Armistice), Friday, November 11, 2022
Christmas Day (Noël), Sunday, December 25, 2022
