Fun and festivities in Bahamas - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Indigenous people of the Bahamas are cheerful, hospitable, and friendly. They like to celebrate holidays and are good at organizing various festive events. The majority of holidays take place in winter in the Bahamas, but tourists can be sure if they visit the islands in summer they will certainly be able to witness some holiday or festival. Various events and celebrations on a monthly basis have become a good old tradition in the Bahamas. Each of these celebrations has its own traditions. Local heritage can make a vacation even more pleasant and unforgettable, bringing make mesmerizing moments to travelers who are lucky to visit the Bahamas during a festive event.

Junkanoo Carnival remains one of the most famous national celebrations on the islands. The event is held between Christmas and New Year. The roots of this holiday stretch back into centuries and are connected with an unpleasant period of slavery. At that time, slaves were free only for one day a year – on Christmas. This was the time when the main streets of the city became filled with people dressed in colorful costumes. The carnival is impossible to imagine without performances of different music bands. The event traditionally ends with grandiose fireworks.

In February, the Bahamas hospitably wait for professional fishermen who gather on the islands in order to participate in the world championship in catching Wahoo fish. The event traditionally attracts best fishermen from all parts of the planet. Both professionals and amateur fishermen will find it interesting to watch this event and check out the biggest fish caught. At the end of February, the Bahamas host Rum Festival. Many connoisseurs and fans of this drink arrive to participate in this popular event. During the festival, visitors can not only try different types of rum but also get acquainted with the culture of the islands and try local cuisine. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The end of the first spring month is usually the time when locals celebrate Easter. Islanders are very religious people, so there are always many religious ceremonies in the Bahamas at this time of the year. The Holy Friday and the following Monday is particularly rich in festive events. On April 5, the islands host one more interesting event – Coconut Festival. The holiday usually takes place in Pelican Point and is widely recognized as a family event. During the festival, its guests can try various dishes and drinks, all of which necessarily contain one ingredient - coconut.

At the end of April, Elizabeth Harbor on Family Island becomes the center of an annual regatta. This colorful event traditionally brings many tourists to the town. At the end of May, the Bahamas greet participants of the Cigar Festival. This two-day-long event always attracts numerous fans of quality cigars from all parts of the world. This festival is a wonderful opportunity to try the best cigars in the Caribbean.

July 10 is an official day off in the Bahamas because this is the time when the whole country celebrates Independence Day. This is the main holiday on the islands, so its schedule always features many colorful events, performances, and festive parades. Cities and towns of the islands usually get special illumination for the holiday. The holiday always ends with grandiose fireworks. On August 1, Freetown hosts an interesting festival dedicated to Cha-cha-cha dance. This is a special day for a small town because performances of professional dancers during this festival happen only once a year. That is why a special atmosphere of the holiday makes this festival even more colorful and mesmerizing.

On the first Monday of August, the Bahamas always celebrate Emancipation Day that commemorates the end of slavery. The tradition of this holiday is connected with the Slavery Abolition Act that freed slaves in the British Empire in 1833. The holiday coincides with the famous Caribbean Carnival, so not only the Bahamas join the celebration but also the Virgin Islands and Anguilla. Fox Hill in Nassau is traditionally the epicenter of the celebration. On Emancipation Day, the capital hosts many cultural events. Tourists are welcome to try festive dishes popular in local cuisine.

Autumn period starts in the Bahamas with a billiards tournament. The competition usually takes place in one of the Radisson hotels. The tournament is definitely one of the most famous and popular events on the islands. At the end of the month, the Bahamas host a festival dedicated to cuisine and local winemaking. The second Monday of October is the day when the Bahamas and Colombia celebrate the National Heroes Day. This holiday was previously known as the Discovery Day, and it was dedicated to the discovery of the New World by Columbus. The end of the month is no less interesting as this is the time for a blues and jazz festival. Many talented musicians from different parts of the world visit the islands to participate in this event. World Triathlon Championship, which takes place in the Bahamas at the end of the last autumn month, is like a magnet for numerous local and international athletes. For travelers, it is also interesting to visit the Heritage Festival that takes place in the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau.