Events calendar in Guadeloupe

Regatta circuit for canots saintois, Guadeloupe's traditional sailing boats, organised by the Classe des Canots Saintois. Races take place every month from March to December around the archipelago, alongside the summer Traditour.

On the evenings of 1 and 2 November, Morne-à-l'Eau's famous black-and-white chequered cemetery is lit up by hundreds of candles. Families gather around the graves in an atmosphere of both reflection and togetherness.

The 13th Route du Rhum, which set off from Saint-Malo on 1 November 2026, finishes at the pontoons of honour in Pointe-à-Pitre, opposite the Mémorial ACTe. A race village with food and concerts every evening welcomes the public as the skippers arrive.

During the first weekend of Route du Rhum arrivals, Basse-Terre opens a village with exhibitions, food and concerts. It's a chance to watch the competitors rounding Basse-Terre before heading for Pointe-à-Pitre.

Festival combining art and rum held at the Arawak Beach Resort hotel in Le Gosier, during the Route du Rhum period. It runs daily for nine days.

Trail race starting from Capesterre-Belle-Eau, through the banana plantations of Basse-Terre. Two formats are offered, of around 9.5 to 10 km and 16 km.

Free event in Le Gosier on Sundays 8, 15 and 22 November 2026, devoted to saintoises, the traditional boats of the Guadeloupe archipelago. Detailed times are not given on the listing.

Festival devoted to arts and crafts in northern Grande-Terre. It runs for a week in Anse-Bertrand.

21.1 km road race starting at Lauricisque in Pointe-à-Pitre. The event is organised by ACSE 971.

Aquathlon (swimming and running) for children in Saint-François. It is part of Guadeloupe's multisport calendar.

Multisport adventure race held in Deshaies, on the Côte-sous-le-Vent. It is listed in the triathlon category of Guadeloupe's race calendar.

Festive Christmas run in Baie-Mahault with a 5 km course and a 1 km race. An accessible sporting event during the holiday season.

Creole-inspired Christmas market held over two days in Jarry. Designers, craftspeople and treats sit alongside a parade, singing and family entertainment; free entry.

Trail race in the hills of the Grands-Fonds starting from Les Abymes, held in tribute to Jean Bart. Several distances are offered, from 12 to 23 km.

On 1 January, a purification swim traditionally marks the opening of the carnival season. The gathering sets off from Pointe-à-Pitre in the morning and then heads to the beaches of Bas-du-Fort.

The carnival season sets the rhythm of the archipelago from early January until Ash Wednesday, with Sunday parades by groupes à po, groupes à mas and snare-drum bands. Parades mainly take place in central Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre.

Nature trail race starting from Sainte-Rose, in northern Basse-Terre. Three routes of 5, 13 and 20 km have been announced.

The first of the jours gras (carnival's final days), Dimanche Gras sees groups compete in creativity through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre. A children's parade also takes place that day.

Lundi Gras is marked by a night parade in Basse-Terre, and Mardi Gras by the grand parade through the town's steep streets, followed by fireworks over the bay. These are the highlights of the jours gras.

Ash Wednesday closes the carnival with black-and-white parades and the burning of Vaval, the carnival king. The procession heads notably to Quai de la Darse in Pointe-à-Pitre; a burning also takes place in Basse-Terre.

Basse-Terre ultra-trail starting from Petit-Bourg, with 10, 25, 55 and 100 km formats. The race is part of the UTMB circuit (20K, 50K and 100K categories).

In the middle of Lent, carnival groups come out one last time, dressed in red and black, for a day of parades. This Thursday is a public holiday in Guadeloupe.

150 km raid in six trail stages exploring the archipelago: Terre-de-Bas, Terre-de-Haut, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, Saint-François and Goyave. The start is in Vieux-Habitants.

27 May, a public holiday in Guadeloupe, commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1848. An official ceremony is held at Fort Delgrès in Basse-Terre, and events take place in many communes and at the Mémorial ACTe.