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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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.
April 2020
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 2020
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 – 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 2020
Grand Bahama, Junkanoo Summer Festival with be held the first three Saturdays in August at Smith's Point. Junkanoo Summer Festival will feature Bahamian music, performances, demonstrations, crafts, a kids corner and climaxing with a Junkanoo performance.
For more information: Wendell Saunders, 242-350-8600 or wsaunders@bahamas.com
The Hottest Beach Party of the summer on Freeport, 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, 11AM - 7PM. BASRA
Contact: Mr. Eddie Whan, 242-727-4165 or Breanee Lowe 242-352-3131
October 2020
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 2020
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
December 2020
Join the Rand Nature this December as they celebrate their 26th year of Festival Noel. 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.
Stay tuned for 2020 details!
Enjoy this holiday season on beautiful Freeport, Grand Bahama Island at the Port Lucaya Marketplace! Port Lucaya is the largest shopping, dining and entertainment open air facility in the Bahamas. With over forty specialty stores and boutiques, twelve restaurants to tempt any palate and twelve bars/lounge for late night entertainment, you are sure to celebrate your holiday season right. The Marketplace boasts of a wide variety of Duty Free stores, two generously stocked Straw Markets, a Craft Centre and Tiki Huts filled with Bahamian craft and souvenir items. Visit the famous Coconut & Fruit Daiquiri Stand and Daddy Brown’s Conch & Seafood Stand for authentic Bahamian Island treats. The Marketplace Square, will have you dancing to Bahamian and International music all night long. Everyone wants to be here – to shop, dine, have fun and relax.
Port Lucaya Marketplace….it’s everything you came to Grand Bahama for and more!!!
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.
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.
