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.
2023 A year of Festival and Events
This year will be an exciting one throughout the entire Bahamas. You are invited to join us as we celebrate The Bahamas’ 50th Independence, complete with an entire year of events, cultural activities, concerts, live shows, the Grand Bahama Food Festival, the 40th anniversary of the one-and-only Smith’s Point Fish Fry, and the pulsating rythms of Junkanoo.
Please see below the events that are currently scheduled. Check back often for updates. For any inquiry, please email us:[email protected]
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) 351-6608/(242) 351-6667
February 2023
Feb 10-14 Friday - Tuesday
LOVE AT LIGHTHOUSE POINTE
Portobello's Oceanside Restaurant at Lighthouse Pointe, Grand Lucayan presents 4 full days of fine dining for lovers, beginning with; Pre-Valentines Dinner, February 10th & 11th, then Sunday Brunch Buffet February 12th and closing out with Valentines Night Dinner February 14th.
Dinner is served from 6pm to 10pm and Sunday brunch is served 12pm to 4pm.
You can get your tickets from 9am to 5pm at the Lighthouse Pointe lobby at Grand Lucayan.
This parade allows school children to get involved in the National Festival of The Bahamas. Schools 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 in delicious native food and drinks, which will be on sale.
Tickets are available at the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture Office, C. A. Smith Building $10 per person
Feb 18-18 Saturday - Saturday
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK 2023 - February 18-March 18, 2023
Spend your Spring Break on Grand Bahama Island and take advantage of all this "Grand" destination has to offer.
A celebration of Grand Bahama's professional & emerging fine artists
What happens when you create the largest gathering of Grand Bahama's established, mid-career, and emerging artists? You get a FESTIVAL that celebrates creativity!
Thursday, March 23, 2023, Opening Night at Rand Nature Centre - Tickets:$75.00
Friday, March 24th, 2023, Opening Night at Port Lucaya Marketplace - Tickets: $50.00
Sunday, March 26th, 2023, Opening Day at Garden of the Groves - Tickets: $20.00
or Bundle & Save - 3 Opening Events $100.00
Only the opening nights for each venue require advance ticket purchase... festival days are FREE! Save the date and come expecting to be moved!
Pelican Point’s Homecoming Festival is held annually on Easter Monday on Grand Bahama Island. Thanks to the Independence Celebration Committee, The Ministry for Grand Bahama, and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the festival returned last year.
The quaint settlement of Pelican Point welcomed everyone back to the community for the Coconut Festival after a two-year absence. 2023 events will take place on Easter Monday, April 10th, 2023
Festival Organizers are encouraging Visitors and Locals to come out and experience coconut in more ways than you can count! Additionally, there will be performances by various Bahamian Bands and Musicians. The day will end with a junkanoo rush-out.
Visitors can look forward to joining in on the fun of 'Plaiting of the Coconut Pole,' numerous coconut fun and games, including the coconut barking contest!
The art of the coconut will be displayed in items including but not 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.
Apr 29 Saturday
JONATHAN GOUTHRO MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Join the Rotary Club of G B Sunrise and Golfers of the Grand Bahama golfing community at the Reef Golf Course, as they support this worthwhile cause. This golf tournament assists in the continuing education of young Bahamians in Accounting and Finance.
The Jonathan Gouthro Memorial Golf Tournament will be an entertaining day of golf and side games all raising funds to aid the Jonathan Gouthro Scholarship Fund. Sign up as spaces are limited and running out fast.
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 fish in the Bahamas, this annual event offers good times for all!
Founded in 2020 by a group of avid fishermen native to the island of Grand Bahama, the goal is to showcase the skill it takes to be a true angler and experience what it's like to find the Big Fish. BattleGround Bahamas embraces the world-class offshore fishing community by promoting comradery through competition.
As fellow members of the Grand Bahama community, we have teamed up with GB Rotary Club and will assist with a donation to the GB Rotary Disaster Relief Committee.
We look to provide a Fun, Family Friendly atmosphere for the whole community and promote safe boating practices while bringing back the excitement of a tournament to the island. This will also serve as a platform to spread awareness of our current ecological concerns throughout the islands.
Plans are currently underway for 2023. Be sure to check back for updates. In the meantime, please enjoy details and photos from 2021-2022
The Ministry of Tourism’s annual summer festival features live displays of Bahamian culture in the form of food, dance & 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!
October 2023
Oct 9 Monday
McLeans Town Conch Cracking Festival
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CONCH CRACKING IN MCCLEAN'S TOWN
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 happening in East End on Grand Bahama Island. The event starts at 11 am
Oct 10 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.
November 2023
Nov 4-4 Saturday - Saturday
35th Annual Conchman Triathlon
Join the Conchman Committee as they celebrate their 35th year!
HOLIDAY SEASON AT LIGHTHOUSE POINTE, GRAND LUCAYAN
BOOK NOW FOR 2023 CELEBRATIONS
Join in the fun and excitement this holiday season at Lighthouse Pointe, Grand Lucayan, on Grand Bahama Island. 3 Themed Events at one exciting Resort!!
See the 2022 schedule. Check back for 2023 details
Dec 1-31 Friday - Sunday
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AT PORT LUCAYA MARKETPLACE
Port Lucaya Marketplace is the most extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment open-air facility in the Bahamas!! Join them this Holiday Season for a Christmas to remember on beautiful Grand Bahama Island
2022 Schedule of Events. Check back for 2023
Dec 1-2 Friday - Saturday
Festival Noel 2023
Join the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) at Rand Nature Centre, Grand Bahama, this December as they celebrate the 27th Annual Festival Noel Fundraiser! This is the BNT's signature holiday festival on Grand Bahama, offering an evening of wine and arts, featuring local artists of various mediums, a varied selection of locally available wines, live entertainment and food tasting by local chefs. All funds raised go to the Bahamas National Trust for further development of national parks on Grand Bahama Island, to include Rand Nature Centre, Lucayan National Park and Peterson Cay National Park.
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
Sample 2022 Event. Check back for 2023 Details
Dec 24-31 Sunday - Sunday
HOLIDAY SEASON AT VIVA WYNDHAM FORTUNA ALL-INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT
Viva Wyndham Fortuna's Holiday Season is always action-packed! Grand Bahama Island's #1 All-Inclusive Beach Resort! Join the Team for all the fun and dining events starting December 24th.
2022 Schedule of Events
Check back for 2023 details
Dec 26-26 Tuesday - Tuesday
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.
Dec 31 Sunday
STONED CRAB NEW YEAR’S EVE
Whew! Now 2022 was a party... Join Stoned Crab because "We know how to party... join us for New Year's!! See you at the Beach!! " - Team Stoned Crab
Check back for 2023 Details
Dec 31 Sunday
SABOR NEW YEAR’S EVE
New Year's Eve 2022 was spectacular. Be sure you don't miss 2023
Sabor is one of Grand Bahama Island’s freshest places to savor all the tastes of the tropics. With its innovative fusion menu and new wave beat, Sabor is one of the hottest restaurants in the Bahamas.
Bring in the year 2024 with Sabor’s spectacular New Year’s Eve passed buffet celebration featuring live music & DJ.
Reservation by ticket only.
Contact [email protected] for Tickets or call 242-374-4873 or 242-373-5588 for more details.
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) 350-8600 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.
TONY MACARONI CONCH EXPERIENCE – BONFIRE ON THE BEACH
JOIN TONY MACARONI ON HIS DECK AT TAINO BEACH, GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND FOR AN EVENING OF MUSIC, DANCING EATING, AND DRINKING. A CASUAL EVENING EXPERIENCE!
EVERY TUESDAY 6PM - UNTIL
FLYING FISH GASTRO BAR CASUAL SUNDAYS
It’s Sunday! That means music on the dock! Reserve your spot now. 242-801-5052
Oct 31-27 Thursday - Thursday
Karaoke Night
Nov 27 Sunday
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT LIGHTHOUSE POINTE GRAND LUCAYAN
SUNDAYS 12PM - 4PM
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