Calendar of Events in the Bahamas

Many events in the Bahamas have no set dates from year to year. But once the event is announced, information becomes available to tourist offices. For specific events, you can call your nearest branch of the Bahamas Tourist Office at tel. 1-800-BAHAMAS or check their website at www.bahamas.com.

Click a month to see the events:

Looking for a Bahamas Vacation Deal?
	Check out these really HOT DEALS at all inclusive packages by CheapCaribbean.com - they always have the best rates: 5 nights+flight from as low as $399 per person!

January

Junkanoo. This Mardi Gras-style festival begins 2 or 3 hours before dawn on New Year's Day. Throngs of cavorting, costumed figures prance through Nassau, Freeport/Lucaya, and the Out Islands. Jubilant men, women, and children wear elaborate headdresses and festive apparel as they celebrate their African heritage with music and dance. Mini-Junkanoos, in which visitors can participate, are regular events. Local tourist offices will advise the best locations to see the festivities, or call tel. 242/356-2691.

New Year's Day Sailing Regatta, Nassau and Paradise Island. Three dozen or more sailing sloops, ranging from 17 to 28 feet, converge off Montagu Bay in a battle for championship. Organized by the Bahamas Boat Owners Association. For information, contact the Regatta Desk at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture (tel. 242/394-0445). January 2 and 3.

Annual Bahamas Wahoo Championships, the Abacos. Anglers from all over America take up the tough challenge to bait one of the fastest fish in the ocean reaching speeds up to 70 m.p.h. This fete takes place at Walker's Cay Hotel & Marina in the Abacos. For more information, call tel. 800/WALKERS.

February

The Mid-Winter Wahoo, Bimini. The Bimini Big Game Fishing Club draws Hemingway look-alikes and other anglers to this winter event that is heavily attended by Floridians. For more information, call tel. 800/737-1007 or contact the tournament director, Raul Miranda, at the Big Game Fishing Club at tel. 242/347-3391. February 23 to 26.

Coca-Cola Junior Classic Golf, Grand Bahama Island. Young tennis pros square off in a highly competitive meet at the Country Club of the Resorts at Bahamia. The competition is open to visiting tennis players. Call the Country Club of the Resorts at Bahamia for more information (tel. 242/352-9661). February 25 to 28.

March

Bacardi Billfish Tournament, Bimini. A prestigious weeklong tournament attracting the Who's Who of deep-sea fishing. Headquarters is the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Marina. For more information, call tel. 800/737-1007 or 242/347-3391. March 18 to 23.

April

The Bahamas Family Island Regatta, George Town, the Exumas. Featuring Bahamian craft sloops, these celebrated boat races are held in Elizabeth Harbour. There's also a variety of onshore activities including basketball, a skipper's party, and a Junkanoo parade. Call tel. 242/336-2430 for exact dates and information. Usually last week of April.

Bahamas Billfish North Abaco Championship, Walker's Cay in the Abacos. Six action-packed tournaments draw anglers in pursuit of the big one, and they are highly competitive. Call the Bahamas Billfish Championship at tel. 954/920-5577 for more information. April to June.

May

Treasure Cay Billfish Championship, the Abacos. The Treasure Cay Hotel-Resort & Marina is one of the finest in the Out Islands, and its marina attracts fishing boats from throughout Florida, especially during this May billfish championship. Dates vary but you can call tel. 242/365-8535 for more information.

Bimini Break Blue Marlin Rendezvous. This is a rendezvous off Bimini drawing anglers seeking an action-packed billfish tournament. The headquarters is the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Marina. For more information, call tel. 800/737-1007 or 242/347-3391. May 12 to 15.

Bimini Billfish Championship. The same participants seem to show up year after year to the big-game-fishing capital of the world. Headquarters for the event is the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Marina at tel. 800/737-1007 or 242/347-3391.

June

Eleuthera Pineapple Festival, Gregory Town, Eleuthera. This celebration devoted to the island's succulent pineapple features a Junkanoo parade, craft displays, dancing, a pineapple recipe contest, tours of pineapple farms, and a "pineathalon"--a ¼-mile swim, a 3½-mile run, and a 4-mile bike ride. For more information, call tel. 242/332-2142. June 4 to 7.

Long Island Regatta, Salt Pond, Long Island, sees some 40 to 50 sailing sloops from throughout the Bahamas compete in three classes for trophies and cash prizes. Onshore, there are dancing to indigenous "rake and scrap" music, sporting events, and local food specialties for sale, all of which makes for a carnival-like atmosphere. For more information, call tel. 242/394-1535. June 8 to 12.

Bahamas Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla. Boating enthusiasts and yachtspeople make the 5-day crossing from Florida to the Bahamas (Port Lucaya's marina on Grand Bahama Island) in a flotilla of boats guided by a lead boat. All "flings" depart from the Radisson Bahia Mar Resort & Yacht Center in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, contact the Bahamas Tourism Center in Florida at tel. 800/327-7678 or 305/932-0051. June 21 to 25.

July

Annual Racing Time in Abaco, Marsh Harbour. This weeklong regatta features a series of five sailboat races in the Sea of Abaco. Onshore festivities include nightly entertainment, cocktail parties, beach picnics, cultural activities, and a grand finale party. For registration forms and information, contact Dave or Kathy Ralph at tel. 242/367-2677. July 4 to 11.

Independence Week. Independence celebrations are marked throughout the islands by festivities, parades, and fireworks. It all culminates on Independence Day, July 10.

August

Emancipation Day. The first Monday in August commemorates the emancipation of slaves in 1834. A highlight of this holiday is an early-morning "Junkanoo Rushout" starting at 4am in Fox Hill Village in Nassau, followed by an afternoon of "cook-outs," cultural events such as climbing a greased pole, and the plaiting of the Maypole. First Monday in August.

Cat Island Regatta, Southern Bahamas. Sleepy Cat Island comes alive in the weekend of festive events, including sloop races, live "rake & scrape" bands, quadrille dancing, old-fashioned contests and games, and the sale of indigenous dishes. Contact the Regatta Desk at tel. 242/394-0445 in Nassau or Allen Gilbert at tel. 242/342-3011 on Cat Island. August 4 to 7.

September

Grand Bahama Junkanoo Carnival. This is an exciting weekend of cultural festivities, including a Junkanoo Carnival, a parade evocative of the famous carnival at Trinidad, and open-air concerts featuring the hottest bands. For more information, contact the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board at tel. 242/352-8044. September 21 or 24.

October

Discovery Day. The New World landing of Christopher Columbus, traditionally said to be the island of San Salvador, is celebrated throughout the Bahamas. Naturally, San Salvador town has a parade every year on this day, October 12.

North Eleuthera Sailing Regatta. Native sailing sloops take to the waters of North Eleuthera, Harbour Island, and Spanish Wells in a weekend of championship races. For information contact the Eleuthera Tourist Office at tel. 242/332-2142 or Glenroy Aranha at tel. 242/333-2281. Mid-October.

All Abaco Sailing Regatta. Local sailing sloops rendezvous at Treasure Cay Harbour for a series of championship races and onshore festivities. Contact the Regatta Desk in Nassau at tel. 242/394-04445 or Everette Hart in Abaco at tel. 242/367-2344.

November

Guy Fawkes Day. The best celebrations are in Nassau. Nighttime parades through the streets are held on many of the islands, culminating in the hanging and burning of Guy Fawkes, an effigy of the British malefactor who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in London. It usually takes place around November 5, but check with island tourist offices.

Bimini Big Game Fishing Club All Wahoo Tournament. Anglers take up the tough challenge of baiting one of the fastest fishes in the ocean. Headquarters is the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club & Marina. For information, contact tel. 800/737-1007 or 242/347-3391. November 15 to 18.

Annual One Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival. This 3-day celebration is staged at both Nassau and Paradise Island to celebrate national unity. Highlights include concerts featuring top Bahamian performing artists. Events include "fun walks" on the island and other activities. For more information, contact the Nassau/Paradise Island Tourist Office at tel. 242/326-0633, ext. 4100). November 24 to 26.

December

Junkanoo Boxing Day. High-energy Junkanoo parades and celebrations are held throughout the islands on December 26. Many of these activities are repeated on New Year's Day.

©Frommers (used according to the terms of affiliation with the Travelocity.com)

Visit our partner tour operators and get even more exciting vacation offers Expedia: Everything Caribbean: Deals, Maps and More!

Create your own perfect vacation package! Departing from: Going to: Other ----------------------------------------------- Anaheim Aruba Cancun Oahu Kauai Las Vegas London Maui Mazatlan Miami Montego Bay Nassau New Orleans New York City Orlando Paris Puerto Vallarta Reno San Francisco San Juan Seattle Washington DC Depart: (MM/DD/YY)   Morning Noon Evening Return: (MM/DD/YY)   Morning Noon Evening Number of adults 1 adult 2 adults 3 adults 4 adults      Show more destinations

Bahamas: Map

Bahamas Beaches Picture Gallery