December 2022 Saint-Barthélemy — With 2023 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 Year's Day (Jour de l’An), a Sunday 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, February 21st.
After the vibrant fun of Mardi Gras, the island settles into preparation for Easter or Pâques, Sunday, April 9th. Local residents often celebrate the long Pâques weekend (which includes Easter Monday, April 10th) 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 Monday, May 1st which is the Labor Day in France. A week later, Monday, May 8th is a holiday to mark the anniversary of World War II victory. Thursday, May 18th marks Ascension and on Monday, May 29th 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 Thursday, June 1st.
Mid-July means Bastille Day or the French National Holiday on Friday, July 14th in 2023.
August is a popular month for Europeans to take vacations and includes a couple of holidays, Assomption on Tuesday, August 15th and then the local holiday celebration of the Saint-Barthélemy feast day on Thursday, 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 Wednesday, November 1st Toussaint and then Saturday, November 11th Armistice Day. Although not officially a St Barts holiday, the American Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 23rd marks the unofficial kick off of the high tourist season. November rounds out with the official end of Atlantic Hurricane season on Thursday, November 30th.
Lastly, December is highlighted with the Noël Christmas on Monday, December 25th and then New Year’s Eve on Sunday, December 31st to complete the annual cycle.
List of Official French Holidays for 2023:
New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An), Sunday, January 1, 2023
*Fat Tuesday (Carnavale / Mardi Gras), Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Easter (Pâques), Sunday, April 9, 2023
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques), Monday, April 10, 2023
Labor Day (Fête du Premier Mai), Monday, May 1, 2023
World War II Victory Day (Jour de la Victoire), Monday, May 8, 2023
Ascension (Jour de l’Ascension), Thursday, May 18, 2023
Pentecost Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte), Monday, May 29, 2023
Bastille Day (Fête Nationale), Friday, July 14, 2023
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption), Tuesday, August 15, 2023
*Saint-Barthélemy Day, (Fête de Saint-Barthélemy), Thursday, August 24, 2023
All Saints’ Day (La Toussaint), Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Armistice Day (Jour d’Armistice), Saturday, November 11, 2023
Christmas Day (Noël), Monday, December 25, 2023
