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.
*Due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Festivals and Events are being postponed, canceled, or moved to a virtual experience. Please email us for updates:[email protected]
Join the Rand Nature this December as they celebrate their 26th year of Festival Noel - Virtually! 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.
26th Annual Festival Noël Fundraiser goes virtual in support of the Revitalization of The Rand Nature Centre
Freeport, Grand Bahama – For the past 25 years the Island of Grand Bahama would have been looking forward to the Bahamas National Trust’s annual fundraiser at the Rand Nature Centre - Festival Noël. The signature wine and art holiday event that heralds the start of the Christmas season on Grand Bahama. Although this year, we are unable to gather in person, this event will be meeting you where you are, in the virtual space.
The Rand Nature Centre was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. You can support the recovery of this special place by joining us this week as the Festival Noël experience is reimagined online to showcase Grand Bahamian artists and artisans and a free virtual immersion musical concert on Friday, December 4th at 8pm EST on social media.
Art is the heart of Festival Noël and Our 2020 artists and artisans have used nature as an inspiration to tell their visual stories using various mediums. Support this Grand Bahamian Art Exhibition, you may find a unique Christmas gift or keepsake. Visit Festival Noël Artists and Artisans Virtual Galleries at https://bnt.bs/festival-noel/
If you are in The Bahamas enjoy your holiday wines and support nature by shopping at any Bristol Wines & Spirits location and pick up your Festival Noël 2020 wine package– each purchase benefits the revitalization of the Rand Nature Centre! For Festival Noëlers on Grand Bahama Island, here’s a fun way to support this year’s event and bring out good cheer in our community for the holiday season. 30 local businesses have donated nearly 50 fantastic prizes to the Wheel of Joy Raffle, amazing prizes to be won!
Join Festival Noël from anywhere in the world on Friday Dec. 4th at 8pm EST on Facebook to close out Festival Noël week with a virtual concert, featuring Grand Bahama’s very own Uppercut242 Band. This virtual Noël concert will feature an immersion into life at the Rand Nature Centre and its features. Uppercut242 Band is sure to get you on your feet, The Festival Noël virtual concert is sponsored by Aliv, Ministry of Tourism, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Mackey Media Ltd., FOCOL, Elnet Maritime Agency, Ace Graphics and Printing and Keys Bahamas Realty.
“2019 and 2020 have been extraordinary years for Grand Bahama. The effects of Hurricane Dorian along with the global occurrence of COVID-19 has impacted this island to the point where we considered cancelling this year’s event altogether. However, we realize that many people look forward to this event as the jump starter to the Christmas season. After receiving feedback in this regard from members of the public, we decided that it would be very important for us to continue with this year’s event albeit virtually. Grand Bahama Parks Manager Ellsworth Weir.
To support this fundraiser for the revitalization of Rand Nature Centre please watch the virtual concert on December 4th 2020 @randnaturecentre Facebook page or visit the webpage https://bnt.bs/festival-noel/ or call 1-242-813-5913.
The Rand Nature Centre is a 100-acre pine forest in the heart of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island protecting wildlife and wildlands. It is an outdoor classroom hosting thousands of students annually. A 2,000-foot trail winds through natural coppice and pine forest. The Centre houses a variety of bird species that can be seen year-round. At the Nature Centre you can take walks and relax in nature, do yoga, have a picnic, view art, learn about plants or visit the monthly local market.
Facebook Page @randnaturecentre
December 2020
Dec 4-31 Friday - Thursday
Port Lucaya Holiday Events
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!!!
Dec 26-26 Saturday - Saturday
Boxing Day
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.
July 2021
Jul 1-29 Thursday - Thursday
Goombay Summer Festival
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!
2020 CANCELED Due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. For further inquiries, please email us at[email protected]
Jul 17-17 Saturday - Saturday
Grand Bahama Regatta & Heritage Festival
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.
2020 CANCELED Due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. For further inquiries, please email us at[email protected]
August 2021
Aug 1-15 Sunday - Sunday
Junkanoo Summer Festival
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 [email protected]
2020 CANCELED Due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. For further inquiries, please email us at[email protected]
Aug 15 Sunday
Bernie Butler Swim Race
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
2020 CANCELED Due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. For further inquiries, please email us at[email protected]
October 2021
Oct 12 Tuesday
National Heroes Day
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.
Oct 12 Tuesday
McLeans Town Conch Cracking Festival
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 2021
Nov 7-1 Sunday - Monday
34th Annual Conchman Triathlon
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
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 [email protected].
Fish Fry
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.
Oct 31-27 Thursday - Thursday
Karaoke Night
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