Freeport Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas)

Grand Bahama is like one big year-round party, so it is likely some kind of festival or special event will be happening during your visit.

Even if there isn't, there are always Caribbean-themed things to do around Freeport and Lucaya, such as music concerts and local theatre performances. Most of the main festivals usually happen over the winter months, but you can be sure of finding something fun to do every single month of the year, with the annual Junkanoo street parades being quite special.

Freeport Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Grand Bahama Junkanoo Parade - January 1st, East Mall Drive is the place to be for the island's best parade of the year. Amazing costumes, live music and a lively atmosphere make this the ideal way to start the year
• The 49er and 29er Class World Sailing Championships - early January, this major yachting event takes place at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Resort. Sailors from around the Caribbean converge on Grand Bahama

February

• Bahamas Wahoo Championships - one of the world's great fish is hunted by some of the best fishermen on the planet. Expect to see some large specimens of freshly caught wahoo, a prized Caribbean game fish known

March

• Bacardi Rum Billfish Tournament - early March, the Bahamas' premier Billfish fishing event takes place each year in March, where both marlin and swordfish make for the catch of the day
• Junkanoo Spring Fest - late March, another installment of the island's Junkanoo festival brings a massive party to village of West End
• Easter Celebrations - late March / early April, with lots of religious ceremonies and parades taking place at churches around Grand Bahama. In particular, there is always much to see on Good Friday and Easter Monday

April

• Coconut Festival - April 5th, this family festival celebrates general Bahamian culture with coconut-based food, drinks, crafts and lots of fun at Pelican Point
• Grand Bahama Car Show - late April, car lovers from across the island converge on Freeport to talk shop, trade ideas and show off their polished vehicles

May

• International Labour Day - early May, a public holiday in the Bahamas
• Cigar Festival - late May, Lucaya hosts a two-day event to savour the flavour of the finest Caribbean cigars, with many trade stalls and cigar-rolling demonstrations

June

• Southfest - June 3rd, the communities around the city all come together for a food-based event. Live music and family fun round off the day during the yearly Southfest festivities

July

• Independence Day - July 10th, this national holiday day celebrates the freedom of the Bahamas
• Junkanoo Summer Festival - late July, Taino Beach is the location of three days of Junkanoo fun. Visitors can be sure to find parades, lots of music, dancing and yummy Caribbean food

August

• Emancipation Day - the first Monday every August, this public holiday celebrates the liberation of slaves. Emancipation Day also kicks off the famous Junkanoo festivities, with food galore and cultural events
• Freetown Cha Cha Festival - August 1st, the village of Freetown hosts a cha cha dance event. Competitions and performances mark this big day in the small hamlet

September

• VNEA Billiards Tournament - late September, the Radisson Our Lucaya Resort hosts the annual billiards tournament. This is the biggest pool event of the year on the island

October

• Discovery Day - October 12th, this public holiday marks the discovery of the New World by Columbus
• Grand Bahama Jazz Rhythm and Blues Festival - late October, the island's biggest jazz event of the year brings a hot line up of musicians from all around the world

November

• Junkanoo Jam - late November, the Radisson Our Lucaya Resort stages a warm-up event for the big Junkanoo party in December. Live music, cultural events and Caribbean food are just some of the highlights
• Grand Bahama Conchman Triathlon - late November, this major sporting contest draws local and international triathletes to the island for an important race

December

• Festivale Noelle - late December, the Rand Nature Centre gets the holiday season going with this popular Yuletide event. Live music, arts and crafts and wine tastings are amongst the main attractions
• Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade - December 26th, a major parade takes place along the West Sunrise Highway from 17:00 until midnight. The music, dance and costumes of this event are unmatched