Carnival (January–March) is the biggest annual event in Guadeloupe, and one of the most vibrant carnivals in the French Caribbean. It runs from Epiphany in early January through to Ash Wednesday, with the most intense celebrations in the final week. Each town and village holds its own parades, but the main events are in Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre. The music is compas and gwo ka, the costumes are elaborate, and the final night — Mardi Gras and the burning of Vaval (the Carnival king effigy) — is spectacular. If you're in Guadeloupe during this period, don't plan anything else for the evenings.
Terre de Blues (May) takes place on Marie-Galante over a long weekend in late May or early June. It's an outdoor music festival celebrating blues, jazz, soul, and Caribbean music, drawing both local and international artists. The setting — open-air stages among sugarcane fields and rum distilleries — is unlike any other festival in the region. Marie-Galante also has quiet beaches and good rum to fill the days between sets.
Fête des Cuisinières (August) is held in Pointe-à-Pitre on the first Saturday in August. The Festival of Women Cooks honors the culinary traditions of Guadeloupean women: participants in traditional Creole dress (madras fabric, gold jewelry) march in procession from the cathedral to the local market, then share an enormous feast with the public. It's genuinely festive, and the food is extraordinary.
Fête de la Saint-Louis (August) in the town of Saint-Louis on Marie-Galante features nautical jousting — two men on opposite boats try to knock each other into the water with long poles. It's as fun to watch as it sounds.
All Day In Festival is a newer music and culture festival held in Guadeloupe each year, mixing electronic music, Creole culture, and outdoor activities. Dates vary; check current listings.