Experiencing Rihanna's Crop Over Festival In Barbados

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21 hours ago

I went to Barbados with beautiful beaches and the Bajan baddie, Rihanna, in mind, but I left the island inspired by a rich culture and the community it birthed.
Hey, my name's Morgan, and I'm a proud card-carrying member of the Rihanna Navy. I visited her home country while on my self-proclaimed Caribbean Birthday Tour. And if there's one event I remember her talking about around my birthday, it's Crop Over, so I knew it was time to check off some bucket list items, all in the name of turning 35.
Before I decided to visit Barbados, the main thing that stuck out to me about Crop Over was the beautiful costumes that both men and women wore. Rihanna has posted several throughout the years, as recently as 2024.
For those who don't know, Crop Over is Barbados' biggest annual festival — a colorful, months-long celebration that marks the end of the sugar cane harvest. It started centuries ago when enslaved laborers would celebrate the completion of the crop season with music, dancing, and food. Today, it has grown into a national cultural event featuring calypso competitions, street parties, art exhibitions, and big parades full of costumes and live music. It's a joyful, high-energy festival that honors the island's history and showcases its vibrant people, traditions, and creativity. It's typically held between the end of July and early August.
The last day of the festival is known as Kadooment Day. Kadooment Day is the grand finale of Crop Over — basically the big, colorful, glitter-covered parade everyone's been waiting for. On this day, thousands of people hit the streets in full costume (feathers, gems, wings, the whole thing) and dance behind massive music trucks blasting soca. It's nonstop vibes — you chip down the road with your band, drink rum out of a cup that somehow never goes empty, scream the lyrics to every song, and turn strangers into best friends. It's one long, joy-filled celebration that ends with a beach party and the satisfied feeling of 'yep, I just did that.'
So, if you're thinking about traveling to Barbados for Crop Over, here are some tips and tricks that I learned firsthand:
H2O will become your best friend! That sun will ensure you feel every single one of those 89 degrees while you're there. Before you even think about rum, make sure water becomes the main character of your trip. You'll be dancing, jumping, and wukkin' up for hours — so refill that bottle every chance you get. Think of it as self-love in liquid form.
I'm not kidding! As I was looking through my photos, I noticed I accidentally captured this photo...but it's a perfect example of the way the humidity was affecting my body. You can see every bead of sweat forming on my face! Water + powerful portable fans will be your saving grace!
The Kadooment Day costume is more than an outfit; it's a lifestyle! Once the feathers go on and the gems hit your skin, you transform. You're not 'you' anymore — you're a Kadooment Day deity. Give it the respect it deserves and walk through the streets like the glittered bad gyal you were born to be.
You'll need to secure your costume and backpack (the huge feathers) several months in advance, because they sell out quickly! Different costumes are connected to different bands (design houses). The girls and I were jumping (representing) with Vida by Esquire, but there are a ton of others, including Aura Experience, the crop over band co-founded by Rihanna's brother, Rorrey Fenty.
Sleep? She doesn't live here... Just accept it. The parties start late at night and don't end until the early morning, and somehow lead into an afternoon beach lime that turns into a midnight fête. You'll be functioning purely on adrenaline, soca, and an occasional nap, if you manage to squeeze one in — and honestly, that's the beauty of Crop Over.
One of my favorite events was Foreday! Foreday Morning is Crop Over's mischievous little sister — the messy, paint-splattered party that happens in the middle of the night. You start around 1 or 2 a.m., covered in white… and by sunrise you're drenched in paint, mud, powder, and pure happiness. A music truck leads the way through the streets, everyone chips behind it, drinks in hand, flinging paint on any and everything that moves. It's dark, it's wild, it's chaotic in the best possible way — like a giant, glowing street rave where nobody cares about looking cute and everybody cares about having the time of their life. We literally danced for about 7 hours straight...it was amazing! It's the warm up to Kadooment Day.
Practice the art of the 'wuk up.' This is not the time to be shy. Everyone is moving their waist like they trained for this since birth. A quick mirror session in your bedroom will do wonders. The goal isn't perfection — it's vibes.
I'm gonna be honest, soca isn't one of the main genres of music I listen to. Nine times out of 10, I'm blasting R&B, but ever since I left Barbados, I can't get some of the songs out of my head. Soca music has a way of seeping into your bones and forcing your body to move to the beat. So, if you wanna prepare yourself for what's to come, download a Crop Over soca playlist, and listen to it non-stop before you get there. I went in blind and now I'm obsessed.
Screams, "Tek chargeeee, baby! You in charge!"
Sunblock is a non-negotiable. This is not a 'maybe.' This is a survival tip. The sun will humble you quickly if you try to act brand new. Reapply frequently — especially when your shoulder starts feeling hot enough to fry plantains.
I know a lot of us brown and Black beauties were taught that we don't need sunscreen, but we DO! Now, I love getting a tan. The darker the better, but you better believe I was slapping that sunscreen on every chance I got. I know you see these tan lines!
Rum is stronger than your urge to text your ex! It tastes sweet and harmless…but make no mistake, after a few sips, you'll be boldly climbing on someone's cooler to hit a high note during a Machel Montano song. Proceed with caution (and a chaser)!
IT WILL CREEP UP ON YOU!!
Don't just stick to the parties — wander outside the fête bubble. Some of the best Crop Over memories come from grabbing a fish cutter at a roadside shop (cough cough, Cuz's Fish Stand or Oistin's Fish Fry), dancing to a steelpan band in a random village square, or buying handmade jewelry from a local vendor who ends up teaching you Bajan slang. Talk to people, explore the island, stop at the rum shops and street food stalls. The real magic is in the way the whole community welcomes you into the vibe.
Whenever I vacation, I never stay at my resort 24/7. And even though Hilton Barbados had everything I could ever want, I like to immerse myself with the locals. I did everything from visiting the home Rihanna grew up in to learning how to walk on stilts and making my own waist beads. Get out of the "I don't want to look like a tourist" mindset and EXPLORE!
Wear comfortable shoes like your life depends on it, because it actually does. Cute-but-uncomfortable sandals will become your biggest regret around mile 5 of the Kadooment parade. Choose wisely. Your feet deserve love too.
Save the heels for the photo shoot before the parade. When it comes to events like Foreday and Kadooment Day, sneakers are the way to go.
Strangers will become family. There's something magical about Crop Over energy. One minute you're dancing behind someone you don't know, next minute you're sharing a doubles and calling them 'sis.' That's normal. Embrace it.
You know how when you go out and easily make friends with girls in the bathroom? Well, it's like that times 10. You'll arrive with girls you know, and leave with friends you'll wish you met sooner.
Start stretching now! This isn't a regular walk in the park. When you're "on di road" you'll be jumping, bending, and chipping down the road for HOURS. A little stretching now will save you from crying in Advil later.
Another reason why you should wear sneakers. We're dancing for six miles for Kadooment day, with lots of stopping in between to dance some more. It takes about six hours to complete. It sounds long but it's sooooo worth it.
Don't skip meals! Trust me, a slice of toast is not enough. You need fuel. Load up on something hearty before hitting the road, or you'll be begging for someone's fish cake by 10 a.m.
Listen, food and I go together real bad, so I never pass up on a meal, but I know there are people out there who aren't fans of breakfast, and I'm here to tell you that in order to survive these events in this heat, skipping breakfast, lunch, or dinner is not advised.
Kadooment pouch = survival kit! Pack smart: wipes, gum, portable fan, sunscreen, emergency snacks, energy supplements, lip gloss, oil blotting papers, portable charger, backup lashes, etc. Whatever you think you won't need…you will need.
You see that thing attached to my leg? Yeah, that was my lifesaver. It's also very convenient. Because your body is in constant motion and you don't want to block the designs in your costume, a pouch or fanny pack works wonders for this event. Also, be sure to learn the difference between water-resistant and waterproof, because while I was having fun dancing in the sprinkler, my phone was slowly (but surely) getting damaged.
Lastly, having fun is not optional! This is the entire purpose. Leave your stress, shyness, and overthinking at the airport. Once you touch the road, your only responsibility is to enjoy yourself — loudly and unapologetically.
This all might sound a little intimidating, but it's truly all about having fun. That's all that people around you will care about. Everyone just wants to see others smiling, laughing, and moving their bodies. Get out of your head and just let loose.
And hey, if this isn't your vibe, that's okay too. This vacation was filled with high energy, but if you prefer to relax when you travel, Barbados has so much to offer — from white sand beaches and coves to animal reservations and historic landmarks; there's truly something for everyone.
Barbados, you truly owe me nothing! I'll definitely be back.
Barbados, you truly owe me nothing! I'll definitely be back. Rihanna, I hope I made you proud, girl!
Have you experienced Crop Over or hope to do so in the future? Let's talk about it in the comments!