5 Bucket List Experiences to Make Your Guyanese Christmas Magical

Where Tradition, Food, and Festive Fun Come Together

Christmas in Guyana isn't just a single day in my book; it's the whole month and season! From the bustle of meeting the December sales target to the twinkling fairy lights along the streets of Georgetown, this period offers a unique blend of culture, community, food, and fun. Whether you're a local trying to soak up the holiday spirit or a visitor wanting to lean into the Guyanese Christmas experience, this "Christmas Bucket List" might be the best place to start. Here are five bucket list experiences to make your Guyanese Christmas just a bit more magical.

1. Indulge in some festive drinks!

This year, Guyanese restaurants and bars have taken the Christmas holiday celebrations to another level, offering festive drinks (alongside their regular menu) all December long. Some of my personal favourite spots to hit include:

• Grand Coastal Hotel – their quarterly cocktails put the merry in Merry Christmas this season, featuring a margarita, martini, rum-based, and spritz option.  What's the best way to know which one to try? Think of your favourite regular cocktail and try the Christmas version. You will thank me later. Grand Coastal is also known for its famous Happy Hour, Buy One and Get One Free, every Monday through Friday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. My favourite is definitely the Vanilla Bean Frost Martini during Happy Hours at their newly renovated bar!
• Bistro Wine & Champagne Bar – this Movietowne location is dropping a new Christmas cocktail each day! Although I don't have the entire menu list here, their Instagram account will keep you updated. For all the sushi lovers, they have also rolled out (see what I did there) two new sushi specials – the Grinch and the Candy Cane rolls. These I have personally tried and are worth considering for a December sushi date. Don't worry, the names are sweet, but the flavour is savoury.
• Amici – As I was writing this article, Amici dropped a sneak peek of their Christmas drinks on Instagram. Considered one of the fine dining options in Guyana, their Italian-inspired menu and decadent décor would have you asking, "Am I still in Guyana?" In my opinion, my best dates at Amici have been a pre-dinner drink on the patio or a night of drinks and appetizers with some girlfriends. Now that the Christmas drinks are out, I'm definitely making a reservation.
• Guerrilla Nanobrewery (Bar) – Now hear me out. This is not your typical restaurant or bar, but it's definitely worth a visit to see if your vibe aligns. Picture this, a backyard Chilean-Latin inspired lime (hangout) with handcrafted local beers and cocktails with homemade syrups. Run by a man named Diego (who is also the foremost mixologist), he puts a unique and delicious twist on all classic cocktails. The Christmas specials will be dropping by the first weekend of December, and you don't want to miss them.

2. Walk through the Main Street Christmas Village

One of the most iconic holiday traditions in Guyana is Main Street at Christmas. This usually kicks off in late November/early December with the Court's Main Street Light Up (basically a large furniture store located on the street lighting up their store, their section of Main Street, and the Government lighting the others). Following this, on the first weekend in December, the street is decorated with multiple local vendors selling local food and their handmade or curated products, which make the cutest Christmas gifts.  It is known as one of the festive hubs of the season, filled with lights, crafts, food stalls, performances, and holiday cheer galore.

3. Feast on our classic Christmas dishes

No Guyanese Christmas is complete without food that warms the body and soul. The national dish, Pep­perpot, is the star of Christmas in Guyana. It is a dark, rich, and spiced stew-like dish made with cassareep and wiri-wiri peppers, and served with warm plait bread. You can either make this dish at home or stop by any of the local lunch spots or cafes to enjoy. Some of the more popular locations that will have it during this Christmas season (though it may not be every day) include Hot and Spicy, The Grill & Jerk Bar, Oasis Café, Shanta's Purishop, Beacon, Maggie's, or Roosters.

Other local dishes and drinks that only hit the spot during the holiday season include garlic pork, black cake, sorrel drink, and ginger beer.

4. Enjoy the festive and Caribbean music

One of the most vibrant aspects of Christmas in Guyana is the music. It is a blend of traditional Christmas songs, Guyanese Christmas songs, and good old soca and chutney music that really gets the party started. Whether you are at a business social, a family-friendly park, turning on the radio, or just at a local spot enjoying a night out, remember to truly take a pause and listen to the music around you.

5. Get your Christmas caffeine in!

I know what you are thinking. Guyana is hot. There is no need for hot coffee, hot chocolate, or even tea. If that was your mindset about Guyana, you are sadly mistaken. The coffee and tea scene in Guyana has experienced significant growth over the last year.

There have been about eight new cafes that have popped up on the scene in the last three years to complement the already existing ones – and most are serving up some delicious holiday drinks.

Try Bloom's Honey Cinnamon Latte, Deja Brew's Peppermint Latte, Gingerman Cookies, Oasis's Eggnog, available to all customers on a special day during Christmas week, and, of course, the Starbucks holiday menu. These are to name a few! I still need to visit all the cafes in Georgetown, but trust me when I say I'm on the lookout for any more Christmas specials to try.

Why does Christmas in Guyana feel so special?

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Still, I am sharing with you five bucket list items (some you may already be doing) that can sometimes be overlooked in the busyness of the season. Or you are coming home for the holidays and looking for a guide on how to make your Christmas home more magical.

As we prepare and hunker down for the season, remember that however you choose to celebrate, it will always feel the most special when it is rooted in family, friendship, love, and giving thanks for the year you have had and the year ahead.

What makes Christmas in Guyana remarkable is not just the lights, the food, the drinks, or the parties — but the mixture of tradition, culture, community, and togetherness. This truly is a time when every Guyanese, regardless of race or religion, comes together to celebrate.