CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS UNDER THE SUN

 

There are places that suddenly give the holiday season an entirely new meaning.
In Saint Barth, December feels nothing like winter: the sun shines high in the sky, the sea is warm, and festive dinners are enjoyed with your feet in the sand. It is this subtle balance between festive energy and tropical serenity that makes Saint Barth one of the most desirable destinations to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

 

 

 

SAINT BARTH IN DECEMBER,
the magic of a tropical winter

THE PERFECT CLIMATE FOR A SUNLIT CHRISTMAS

In Saint Barth, the high season begins just as Europe settles into winter. December opens the brightest time of the year: almost constantly clear skies, dry weather, cooling trade winds, and sea temperatures hovering around 27°C. Few sensations compare to stepping into summer in the heart of winter. Days unfold outdoors without constraint, and evenings naturally extend onto terraces under the stars.
 

A FESTIVE ISLAND THAT LIGHTS UP

As Christmas approaches, the small capital of Gustavia is transformed. Red-roofed facades are adorned with garlands, palm trees glow with golden lights, and the yachts in the harbor sparkle like a floating village. The streets come alive—never overwhelming, always elegant. Saint Barth embraces the festive spirit with a gentle touch, through artisan markets, Creole carols, and shared moments by the sea. Everywhere, one feels that unique blend of French chic and Caribbean warmth.
 

NEW YEAR'S EVE, SAINT BARTH STYLE

On December 31st, Saint Barth becomes an open-air stage. Sailboats line the bay of Gustavia, terraces buzz with energy, and restaurants host their most anticipated dinners of the year. At midnight, fireworks light up the harbor, illuminating the masts, hills, and waterfront like a natural theater. It is a glamorous yet relaxed New Year’s Eve, celebrated by the sea, in the island’s iconic restaurants, or simply with eyes turned toward the sky.


 

CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS
at Hotel Manapany

A HUMAN-SCALE CARIBBEAN RETREAT

Away from the buzz, on the wild beach of Anse des Cayes, Hotel Manapany embodies a different vision of luxury—one defined by discretion. Blonde wood, natural materials, ocean-facing terraces, and lush tropical vegetation create an enveloping, almost home-like atmosphere. Here, guests find calm, light, direct access to the beach, and the precious feeling of being welcomed into a house rather than a hotel.
 

THE "FESTIVE" : NINE DAYS OF CELEBRATION, DIFFERENTLY

From December 24th to January 1st, Manapany moves to the rhythm of “The Festive,” a special period when the hotel fully embraces the holiday spirit. Christmas is celebrated in the island’s signature sun-filled style. The much-anticipated Christmas Day lunch unfolds around a lobster barbecue set directly on the sand. With the sea as a backdrop, grilled aromas in the air, and the glow of midday light, the atmosphere is irresistibly warm and convivial.
 

A FESTIVE YET RELAXED NEW YEAR'S EVE

On December 31st, Hotel Manapany comes alive. A grand seaside dinner brings together Caribbean flavors, open-fire grilling, fragrant mezze, and reinvented tropical desserts. Live music sets the tone as the evening unfolds beneath the stars. As midnight approaches, guests gather to count down the final seconds of the year together, facing the ocean.
 

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

On the first day of the year, celebrations continue gently. Manapany hosts a beachfront lunch on January 1st, in a lively yet authentic atmosphere that echoes the conviviality of the night before, now bathed in daylight. Beginning the year in such a setting is undeniably appealing.

Find all the details about the festive season at Hotel Manapany HERE.


 

BETWEEN TWO CELEBRATIONS:
the Saint Barth way of life

DISCOVER SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN THE CARIBBEAN

Saint Barth is a mosaic of beaches, each with its own personality. Saint-Jean, vibrant and sunlit, invites long days of swimming, seaside lunches, and leisurely strolls. Saline and Gouverneur, wilder and more untouched, reveal a raw, natural beauty. Shell Beach, just steps from Gustavia, is the perfect spot for sunset, while Colombier offers that rare feeling of being almost alone in the world, nestled in a preserved cove accessible by trail or by sea.

THE SEA AS A PLAYGROUND

December is the ideal time to explore the island from the water. The shallow, crystal-clear lagoon of Grand Cul-de-Sac is perfect for paddleboarding or kayaking. Snorkeling excursions reveal turtles and tropical fish in warm, transparent waters. Renting a boat to circle the island is one of the most memorable experiences—an entire day spent moving from cove to cove, between turquoise seas and wind-sculpted cliffs.
 

STROLLING THROUGH GUSTAVIA AND EMBRACING TROPICAL CHIC

With its charming streets and lively harbor, Gustavia can be explored at any time of day. Designer boutiques sit alongside luxury houses, art galleries neighbor cafés where one happily lingers in the late afternoon. As evening falls, the atmosphere gently rises. Dinner is enjoyed on the hills overlooking the illuminated bay or by the water in a more bohemian mood. Small in size, Gustavia concentrates everything that makes Saint Barth irresistible: charm, style, and warmth.
 

REDISCOVERING SIMPLE LUXURY: TIME FOR YOURSELF

Between festive dinners and days at sea, the island naturally invites rest. Reading in the shade of a palm tree, listening to the rhythm of the waves, indulging in a spa treatment, or walking along a deserted beach at dawn—time seems to stretch in Saint Barth. There is a quiet magic to this tropical winter, slowing the pace and bringing life’s essentials back within reach.

What if welcoming the New Year by the sea became your new tradition?