Lifestyle & Entertainment

A Week of Days: Tomorrow is Pineapple Appreciation Day!

Loop News

May 14, 2025 2:41 PM ET

4 mins read

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Jamaica

Mid-May in the tropics is synonymous with a sweet cocktail of culture, remembrance, and joy.

From honoring freedom fighters and agricultural roots to indulging in uniquely Caribbean quirks like ‘Pineapple Appreciation Day’, this week tells stories of resilience (through Haitian Emancipation Day) and creativity (through World Baking Day).

Caribbean folk balance heartfelt ceremonies with spicy cookouts, bubbling cauldrons of pepper pot soup, lively festivals, and sun-drenched community events.

The calendar hums with purpose this month — each date a reason to celebrate identity, history, and laughter under the Caribbean sky.

These are some Caribbean holidays and observances for the week of May 14 – 20.

National Heroes and Benefactors Day (Belize) – (Observed earlier in March, but educational and heritage events are often extended through May in schools and communities)

Includes reenactments, storytelling, and cultural programs honoring Belizean national heroes and the legacy of figures like Philip Goldson and George Price.

May 12–18

Teacher Appreciation Week Celebrations (continued) – (Jamaica)

Teachers are celebrated through student-led thank-you ceremonies, classroom performances, and national awards recognizing outstanding educators across the island.

MAY 13–18

National Culture and Heritage Week (continued) – (Antigua & Barbuda)

A weeklong celebration of Antigua & Barbuda’s traditions, including folk storytelling, traditional games, local fashion shows, and culinary expos. Schools and communities participate in honoring national heroes and preserving intangible cultural heritage.

MAY 15

International Day of Families – (Global)

Caribbean countries mark this day with family-focused programs, church services, beach picnics, and school activities emphasizing family unity, intergenerational dialogue, and child protection.

Pineapple Appreciation Day

A playful regional observance (especially in Saint Lucia and parts of Jamaica) that highlights the beloved tropical fruit with pineapple cook-offs, pineapple-themed fashion contests, and fruit carving demonstrations.

MAY 16

Agriculture Day – (Saint Kitts & Nevis)

Celebrated with farm exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, and school trips to farms to promote local produce, food security, and youth involvement in agriculture.

MAY 17

World Baking Day (Global)

This foodie celebration honours Caribbean bakers, who embrace this day with sweet and savory creations — think cassava pone, coconut bread, rock cakes, and festival bread — shared in bakeries, schools, and community kitchens.

MAY 18

Emancipation Day (Haiti)

Marks the official abolition of slavery in Haiti in 1803. Celebrations often merge with Flag Day (below), honoring the resilience and revolutionary history of the Haitian people.

Haitian Flag Day

A major patriotic event with parades, concerts, youth rallies, and flag-raising ceremonies celebrating the creation of Haiti’s blue and red flag in 1803 and the spirit of independence.

MAY 19

Arbor Day (Bahamas)

Schools, communities, and environmental organizations plant trees and host educational events about native species, deforestation, and conservation.

Caribbean Pirate Day

Inspired by the region’s swashbuckling past, this fun observance includes pirate costume contests, treasure hunts for kids, and storytelling of Caribbean pirate legends like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.

MAY 20

National Day of Healing (Saint Lucia)

A day promoting national reconciliation and social harmony, featuring church services, open dialogues, and peace marches that reflect on violence prevention and community healing.

Caribbean Pepper Pot Day

Guyanese, Vincentian, and other Caribbean households celebrate the beloved dish with family cookouts, pepper pot cook-offs, and shared stories about its Amerindian origins and cultural importance.

This week in the Caribbean offers a dynamic mix of celebration, reflection, and flavor—from honoring flags and forests to appreciating pineapples and pirates.

It’s a living reminder that Caribbean culture is as much about joy and food as it is about identity and unity.