People enjoying beach festival

Festivals & Events on Grand Bahama

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]

Festivals & Events

View Calendar

March 2023

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April 2023

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January 2023

Jan 2-2
Monday - Monday

New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade

GRAND BAHAMA NEW DATE: MONDAY, JANUARY 2ND, 2023

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.

CALL 242-373-1333 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Feb 16
Thursday

Grand Bahama Junior Junkanoo Parade

GRAND BAHAMA JUNIOR JUNKANOO PARADE

NEW DATE

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.

Check here for Places to Stay

Things to Do

The Best Beaches

Restaurants & Bars

March 2023

Mar 3-24
Friday - Saturday

GARDEN OF THE GROVES 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Join the Garden of the Groves as they celebrate "50 Years Of Nature", starting March 3, 2023 - June 24, 2023

Click for events details and contact 242-374-7778 for ticket information

Mar 23-26
Thursday - Sunday

ART LUCAYA

THE GRAND BAHAMA ART FESTIVAL

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!

#artlucaya #grandbahama #grandbahamaisland #bahamas #bahamasart

April 2023

Apr 10
Monday

Pelican Point Coconut Festival

Monday, April 10th, 2023

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.

To Learn More

June 2023

Jun 10
Saturday

West End Snapper Tournament

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!

Jun 15-17
Thursday - Saturday

BATTLE GROUND BAHAMAS FISHING TOURNAMENT

!! BOOK NOW !!

NOW HAPPENING: June 15TH - 17th, 2023

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

Learn more about this event

Book your hotel stay now

visit tournament organizers

July 2023

Jul 6-27
Thursday - Thursday

Goombay Summer Festival

GOOMBAY SUMMER FESTIVAL IS BACK!!!

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!

For more information: GBPA Conchman Triathlon 

Click here For Registration

Nov 23-23
Thursday - Thursday

THANKSGIVING AT LIGHTHOUSE POINTE GRAND LUCAYAN

Sample 2022 Thanksgiving

December 2023

Dec 1-31
Friday - Sunday

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.

Year Round Events

People-to-People

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