The precise origins of the custom are unknown, although it is believed to have developed in St. Vincent after emancipation, (and in its present form in the late 19th /early 20th century) as a fusion of multicultural forms of celebration - such as music, drums and dance - with the Christian festival of Christmas, and later, in association with the early morning Christmas Novenas, formerly celebrated at midday by the Catholic church. 

Nine days before Christmas musical activities and carols often take place under the Almond Tree - sometimes starting at 4am in the morning - to the surprise and delight of many visitors longing for a good carol or two! 

So don't be surprised if you hear songs and reveling into the wee hours in Christmas week; its all part of Christmas on Bequia!

Bequians take their carolling very seriously. Shortly before Christmas groups representing the islands villages and communities compete in an evening carol competition attended by most of the island and its visitors.

The Bequia Tourism Association, in conjunction with the SVG Tourism Authority, is the organising body responsible for putting on what has become one of the hottest and coolest festivals in the region, drawing rave reviews.

The Bequia Music Fest started in 2000 when the BTA worked with Basil Charles to bring his world-famous Mustique Blues Festival to Bequia for one glorious evening in January. 

In the ensuing years, the Bequia Music Fest expanded into a four-day event with a wide range of international, regional and local artistes of all musical genres coming together to bring a feast of entertainment to the islands' and nations' residents and visitors alike.

Informality, smooth-running and the love of music is what brings people back year after year, and wins new fans of Bequia's signature tourism.

The benefits of the school to Bequia's children with special needs are huge, and vitally important to their development as individuals. Currently the school caters for 30 children attending daily classes; their progress in all aspects of learning and skill training is extraordinary - due in no small part to the dedication of the teachers.

First conceived as a "yachties" auction back in 1990, the ever popular annual auction is now a firm fixture in the tourism season, and most importantly a vital source of revenue for the school. Items for the auction, and for the Jumble Sale which follows later in March, are all donated by well-wishers and energetically amassed and sorted by the auction organisers in the weeks before.

EC$30,000 is enough to cover the running costs of the school for four months, and this is the target that is aimed for each year.  

   To find out more about Bequia Sunshine School contact:
email sunshine@vincysurf.com
or visit www.bequiasunshineschool.org 

A fleet of twenty or more traditional local boats from   Bequia and her neighbouring islands, some no more than 12 feet long, others a majestic (by comparison)
28 feet in length and capable of extraordinary speed
and agility, compete out on the sparkling waters
around Bequia.

And on the same waters, upwards of thirty yachts compete in five CSA-officiated Classes   - every one of them racing with the same  verve and determination, striving to achieve that perfect harmony of boat, wind and sail.

It's a fabulous, colourful weekend, full of fun and camaraderie, skill and tradition, with the whole island caught up in regatta fever. Sunday's Regatta Lay Day on Lower Bay beach sees a grand fete for boatloads of visitors from the mainland.

The hard working volunteer members of the Bequia Sailing Club are responsible for putting on this high profile event every year, and the event is internationally renowned for being one of the largest regattas in the region, with well-run, challenging yacht races which include the six-race series which decides the annual J24 Southern Caribbean Championship.

The island is almost full to bursting for the Easter period, and the harbour is packed with yachts. People come from all over the world just to be in Bequia for regatta, and none are ever disappointed. The island puts on its best and brightest show, and everyone just loves it! 

With St. Vincent's "Vincy Mas" now the nation's premier tourism event, Bequia's own Carnival looks set to move forward as well and become a true small island carnival and a permanent fixture in the island's cultural calendar.

The organizers doing a fine job in cooking up the catches and providing delicious fresher-than-fresh barbecue and baked fish lunches, complete with rice'n'peas, dasheen, yams, plantains, green bananas, coucou, breadfruit and coleslaw.

The competition begins at first light, and all catches have to be in by early afternoon. Not surprisingly, it's the biggest catch by weight that wins, but there are various categories for the different types of fishing - trolling, bottom line deep water, bottom line inshore, etc. Plus of course a special prize for that all important Biggest Single Fish! 

Spectators also get an all too rare chance to buy as much fresh fish as they want, straight off the dock and those in the know come prepared with bags to carry their purchases away!