Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Day

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Day

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  1. 1979Independence from the United Kingdom
  2. 1969Associated statehood
  3. 1979First Independence Day

The story behind the day

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates Independence Day on 27 October, marking independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. The date represents the modern state across the main island and the Grenadines.

The holiday is an official civic occasion, but it also reflects the geography of many islands: capital ceremonies, village events, church services and community celebrations spread across the country.

Today Kingstown hosts the main parade and official programme. Around the islands, people mark the day with flags, music, food, school events and family gatherings.

  1. 202627 October 2026 · Tuesday
  2. 202727 October 2027 · Wednesday
  3. 202827 October 2028 · Friday
The flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag

The flag has blue, gold and green vertical bands with three green diamonds in the centre. The diamonds give the country its nickname, the Gems of the Antilles, and point to the islands' beauty and identity.

Vincentian independence food is rooted in local produce — roasted breadfruit, fried jackfish and provisions from the volcanic island's fertile soils.

What to eat

Roasted breadfruitWhole breadfruit roasted over coals and split open — the definitive Vincentian food, eaten with salted fish.
Fried jackfishSmall Atlantic jackfish seasoned with lime and herbs, fried until crispy — a popular Vincentian street food.
ProvisionsBoiled root vegetables — dasheen, eddoe, yam and sweet potato — the starchy base of every Vincentian meal.
PelauCaramelised chicken rice cooked with pigeon peas and coconut milk — the Vincentian one-pot party dish.
Black puddingSpiced pork and rice blood sausage — a strong-flavoured Caribbean tradition from Vincentian street food stalls.
Arrowroot biscuitsSt Vincent is the world's largest producer of arrowroot — used in biscuits and starch for a unique local product.

What to drink

Sunset rumSt Vincent's own rum brand — produced from local sugarcane and known for its smooth character.
Hairoun beerSt Vincent's national lager — brewed locally since 1985 and consumed at every outdoor celebration.
MaubyBark-brewed bittersweet drink from the mauby tree — a cooling Caribbean refreshment served cold at festivals.
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Culture on National Day

Vincentian culture celebrates Garifuna heritage, the Vincy Mas Carnival and the dramatic beauty of an island chain that stretches from St Vincent to the Grenadines' exclusive atolls.

Vincy Mas CarnivalSt Vincent's July Carnival — soca competitions, masquerade bands and street parties culminating in independence celebrations.
Garifuna heritageThe Garifuna people — descendants of Island Caribs and Africans — maintain distinct traditions of music, language and dance.
Bequia sailingThe island of Bequia is famous for traditional wooden boat building — the Easter Regatta draws sailors from across the Caribbean.
Nine Mornings FestivalPre-Christmas early morning street gatherings — a uniquely Vincentian tradition of cycling, serenading and street food.