Grand Bahama Island hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Plan your vacation around some of the island’s well-known festivals and you’ll end up with a one-of-a kind Bahamian experience. From the biggest cultural events to the local festivities in neighboring towns, there’s always something happening on Grand Bahama Island.
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April 2019
Pelican Point’s Homecoming Festival held annually on Easter Monday. Come out and experience coconut in more ways than you can count!
The art of the coconut will be displayed in items including but not be limited to, coconut jimmy, coconut tart, jams and preserves and the Bahamian specialty, Gully Wash! Bahamian arts and crafts and coconut jewelry will also be available.
July 2019
The Ministry of Tourism’s annual summer festival featuring live displays of Bahamian culture in the form of food & music.
Held every Thursday in July (4,11,18,25) – 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, you will be able to experience the local culture as you listen to the sweet sounds of "Goombay", indulge in local delicacies, browse through the most authentic Bahamian arts and crafts , and dance to the beat of Junkanoo!
Sailors of well-known Class A, B and C sloops from throughout The Islands of The Bahamas will compete in different races. Trophies and cash prizes are awarded to the top boaters, but the most sought-after prize is the reputation of being "Champion of the Sea." Spectators onshore can enjoy a festive environment of food, drinks, music and other entertainment throughout the weekend.
August 2019
High Rockʼs annual homecoming festival celebrates the bounties of the sea. You can enjoy live performances by local bands, a Junkanoo Rush-out, and the culinary delights including all the fish, conch and lobster you can eat!
Venue is the High Rock Primary School Grounds, located near the sea in East Grand Bahama Island.
The Hottest Beach Party of the summer on Grand Bahama Island. This annual swim race and beach party raises funds for the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). It features DJ music, and food and drinks will be on sale, 10AM - 6PM. BASRA
Contact: Mr. Justin Snisky, BASRA / jsnisky@yahoo.com
Photo Credit: Taylor Lowe
September 2019
In an effort to resolve the issue of Marine Debris, the Ocean Conservancy initiated the International Coastal Cleanup.
The cleanup event, focuses on collecting data on trash collected to find the source of marine debris.
This event takes place every year, the 3rd Saturday in September.
October 2019
The second Monday in October, formerly known as "Discovery Day" or "Columbus Day," has now been dedicated to honoring Bahamian national heroes since 2013. An official National Heroes Day ceremony is held with a keynote speech by the Prime Minister, and heroes from a cross-section of civil society are celebrated with a week of activities.
Many people enjoy the day with family gatherings and beach picnics.
This annual homecoming event began in 1972 and attracts both domestic and international visitors, who enthusiastically vie for the coveted and authentically Bahamian designed conch trophy, awarded to the best Conch Cracker in the country. The festival features lots of conch-themed dishes, other food and drinks, locally made souvenirs, as well as a full day of activities that both adults and children can participate in, competitions and exciting live entertainment.
McLean’s Town’s Conch Cracking Festival is located in East end on Grand Bahama Island.
November 2019
Calling all triathletes! The Conchman Triathlon is a standard Sprint Distance Triathlon - 750M SWIM - 20K BIKE - 5K RUN that attracts hundreds of triathletes from over the world and takes place on beautiful Taino Beach, Grand Bahama, Bahamas! For more information: GBPA Conchman Triathlon 2019
December 2019
This is the Rand Nature Centre's signature holiday festival, offering an evening of wine and arts, featuring local artists of various mediums, and a varied selection of locally available wines. All funds raised go to the Bahamas National Trust for further development of national parks in The Bahamas.
This holiday was granted to slaves the day after Christmas, when they were given the boxes left over from their master’s gifts. These boxes usually were sent from England and were well-crafted from fine wood. Hence the holiday is known as Boxing Day.
Junkanoo parades take place on some islands to commemorate the day.
January 2020
Junkanoo is the National Festival of the Bahamas; it represents our roots and it is our heritage. Junkanoo originated during the days of slavery when the slaves were given time off to celebrate the holidays with African dance, music and costume. The festival is named after “JOHN CANOE”, an African tribal chief who demanded the right to celebrate with his people even after being brought to the West Indies in Slavery.
Junkanoo today is a traditional rally to cowbells, whistles and goat-skin drums as costumed revelers dance away. Parade held at Town Centre on Pioneers Way.
For more information contact: Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture (242) 351-1933.
Let a Bahamian introduce you to The Bahamas! Participate in our People to People program, where you will meet warm and genial Bahamians. For more information contact the Ministry of Tourism's People to People Department at (242) 352-8044 or email dhuyler@bahamas.com.
Enjoy delicious fried fish, potato bread, conch salad and many more Bahamian dishes every Wednesday at Smith's Point. This event starts at 6:30 in the evening.
