Whit Monday in Antigua & Barbuda

A moving date and a Christian feast

Whit Monday follows Whit Sunday, also called Pentecost, so its calendar date moves from year to year.[1]

Pentecost commemorates the Christian account of the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus’ disciples. Whit Monday is the day after that feast; this is the religious background to the holiday’s name, rather than a description of how every resident observes it.[5]

Barbuda’s Caribana weekend

Caribana is a form of carnival celebration in Barbuda, held every year during the Whit holiday weekend.[1] This gives the holiday period a particular local association with Barbuda.

Caribana takes place during the Whit weekend, but visitors should check current local information for specific events and arrangements.[1]

Legal status, work and closures

Whit Monday is included in the holiday schedule set out by the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act, 2019. It falls on the Monday after Whit Sunday. The Act lists the holiday without a separate automatic substitute-day rule for Whit Monday; the Public Holidays Act gives the Governor-General, acting on Cabinet’s advice, power to substitute another day in a special case.[1][2][3]

Under the Public Holidays Act, public holidays are close holidays for banks, shops, stores selling goods and public offices. The Act provides exceptions, including for pharmacies supplying necessary prescriptions, public markets and food or drink sales until 9 a.m., and petrol stations and garages for specified purposes; it also allows orders authorizing certain shops to open.[3]

The Labour Code says an employee generally cannot be required to work on a public holiday except in emergencies, subject to possible exemptions by ministerial order. Employees who do not work receive their basic wage if they worked their scheduled day immediately before and after the holiday; those who work are entitled to at least 150 percent of their basic hourly rate for hours worked, in addition to the holiday wage.[4]

Planning around the holiday

The statutory closure rules make it sensible to check opening hours before visiting a bank, public office or shop. Check directly with transport operators and tourism businesses when planning travel, including between Antigua and Barbuda.[3]