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 2018
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.
This parade provides an opportunity for children to get involved in the National Festival of The Bahamas. Schools from across the island of Grand Bahama will parade through the streets of downtown Freeport, with preschool, primary, all-age, junior and secondary divisions competing for the top honors. Come and experience our culture and music, while partaking of delicious native food and drinks, which will be for sale.
Contact: Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (242) 351-1933
February 2018
For more information on the Grand Bahama Sky Diving Event contact the Ministry of Tourism's Sports Department at (242) 350-8600.
This tournament is designed to foster a competitive angling atmosphere in pursuit of a species of fish which is not endangered and cannot be harvested commercially.
For more information contact the Ministry of Tourism's Sports Department (242) 350-8600.
An annual event focusing on local businesses with interest in becoming more environmentally conscious by offering alternatives products to the public
For more information contact: Jeffrey Pinder: jpinder@bahamas.com or (242) 350-8600.
March 2018
2018 is bringing some exciting changes to the Dog Day's Half Marathon! Join us for new courses, new formats, awesome prizes and much more. As usual there will be a half marathon, a 10K race, 5K race and a fun one mile run/walk. For more information visit grandbahamadogdayshalfmarathon.com
April 2018
For more information on Coastal Awareness Month Activities for the month of April, 2017.
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.
The Ministry of Tourism in support of the West End Eco-fishing Camp Association and the Grand Bahama Sailing Club will host this recreational spring time event, attracting young sailors, many under 15 for a weekend of competitive sailing and lots of camaraderie for the entire family to enjoy.
May 2018
The ultimate kids rugby event in The Bahamas. Visiting teams flock from the Cayman Islands, USA, Bermuda, and Nassau for this super weekend of everything rugby that youth players will want to experience. It's been dubbed the Caribbean's best youth rugby festival.
June 2018
A Cultural festival highlighting the heritage of Freetown, the first place where slaves were freed in 1834. The main event, the Fire Hearth Cooking Competition, colloquially referred to as “fire half”, is one that is historically etched into the culture of the Freetown community, highlighting the tradition of using fire control to cook meals for their families. The day long festival will feature traditional games and competitions like pineapple eating, washboard and tin tub races.
It will be held on Gold Rock Creek East (site of Pirates of the Caribbean film set).
Designed as one of the finest fishing tournaments and cultural festivals, this exciting competition is judged based on the most snappers caught by weight, the largest snapper caught, fish scaling and best seasoned fish. As the snapper fish is one of the most abundant fishes in the Bahamas, this annual event offers good times for all!
Join us for the first annual Bahamas Bash 7 v 7 Lacrosse Tournament located on Grand Bahama Island. The Bahamas Bash offers a fun and competitive lacrosse tournament as well as the Caribbean Vibe that you can only get being in the Bahamas.
Every team will have a minimum of 4 lacrosse games, with playoffs and champions for each division. If your are looking for more competition, you can enter the skills contest which will include fastest shot, most accurate, and trick shots.
You also wont want to miss the Saturday Night Beach Party which will offer dinner, drinks, and beach activities, including a lacrosse limbo contest. At the fields there will be food concessions as well as a Bahamas Bash adult beverage garden.
For more information visit: http://www.bahamasbash.com
July 2018
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 (5,12,19,26) – 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!
The Bahamas celebrates 44 years as an independent nation. Events are planned throughout Grand Bahama Island in commemoration of this significant event in the life of our nation.
Contact: Ministry for Grand Bahama / (242) 352-8525
This tournament is designed to foster a competitive angling atmosphere in pursuit of a specific species of fish.
An annual gathering of leading women who recognize that there is GREATNESS on the inside of them…that they are NOT meant to live a mundane or mediocre life...they understand they exist to do more than just earn a paycheck. The only thing that will satisfy them is to DISCOVER what they were born to do...to accomplish something great that no one else in the world can do… Women will leave inspired, motivated and encouraged to start living the life they were created to live …a fulfilled life when PURPOSE is discovered. When a woman answers the call of God on her life it does not have to be at the expense of her family. According to Proverbs 9 she is a wise and virtuous woman who esteems her husband highly, she influences and incorporates her family in everything she does. She thinks generational…. And she leaves a legacy.
This year’s Summit Theme is I Am Royalty – An Heir of the King, Crowned and Commissioned for Greatness.
For more information visit www.angelapipersburgh.com/WomensSummit or call 856.414.0818.
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 2018
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.
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.
Contact: Mr. Justin Snisky, BASRA / jsnisky@yahoo.com
Photo Credit: Taylor Lowe
September 2018
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 2018
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.
December 2018
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 half-marathon attracts road runners, marathoners, cross-country runners, and long distance runners from around the world. The course showcases the intracoastal roadways and beaches of Grand Bahama Island.
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.
