Nassau Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Nassau / Paradise Island, New Providence, Bahamas)

Bahamians love to enjoy themselves and show off their unique culture, and there are colourful events and festivals around Nassau during all months. The best of the bunch is the Junkanoo, a uniquely Bahamian shindig. There are Junkanoos on New Year's Day, Boxing Day and in June, and all involve partying into the early hours of the morning.

Paradise Island also puts on sporting events that usually involve sailing, such as the New Year's Day Sailing Regatta. Other things to do and see include the International Beer Festival in April (to the west of Nassau), Independence Day in July, and the One Bahamas Music and Heritage Festival in November.

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Junkanoo - January 1st, this most cultured of Bahamian festivals takes place every year on New Year's Day, with Bahamian music, dancing and costumed parading
• New Year's Day Sailing Regatta - January 1st, features a day of racing with traditional 'sloop' sailing boats at Montagu Bay (between Nassau and Paradise Island)

February

• Spring Break - an ongoing pleasurable time for students during their summer break, with various sporting events, beach parties and concerts around the Bahamas
• Annual Valentine Massacre Regatta - mid-February, with a day of fun activities, including sailing and partying, held each year around February 14th

March

• International Dog Show and Obedience Trials - mid-March, a popular two-day event for dog-lovers both on Paradise Island and New Providence, with plenty of talented and beautiful canines on display
• Easter Celebrations - late March / early April, with various religious ceremonies and processions taking place at churches around New Providence, particularly on Good Friday and Easter Monday

April

• International Beer Festival - fun event at the Old Town Mall at Sandyport, with dozens of local and international beers available for sampling
• Bahamas Heritage Festival - late April, cultural event with traditional music and the reciting of stories

May

• Bahamas Film Festival - this ten-day event at Nassau's Galleria Cinemas showcases documentaries, videos and various movies
• Labour Day - early May, a public holiday all over the Bahamas, features a variety of fun organized events on Paradise Island

June

• Junkanoo in June - throughout June and July, this is a similar entity to the December / January incarnation, with much parading and Bahamian culture to be savoured by everyone in attendance

July

• Independence Day - July 10th, popular day of celebration all over the Bahamas, after the country was granted independence from Great Britain on this day in 1964
• Miss Commonwealth Beauty Pageant - mid-July, with a bevy of beautiful Bahamian women vying for the title of Miss Commonwealth Bahamas

August

• Emancipation Day - public holiday Bahamas-wide held on the first Monday each August, marking the day when the British abolished slavery, with lots of dressing up, and singing and dancing. Head to Fox Hill early in the morning for the fun 'Junkanoo Rush' street parade

September

• Bahamas Atlantis Superboat Challenge - late September, well known international power boat race sponsored by Atlantis, featuring concerts and partying later on

October

• Discovery Day - October 12th, also known as Columbus Day and National Heroes Day, when Bahamians remember the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World

November

• Guy Fawkes Day - November 5th, the Bahamas also celebrate the burning of Guy Fawkes with masked parading during the day, and various bonfires and fireworks at night
• One Bahamas Music and Heritage Festival - late November, a three-day get-together in Nassau and Paradise Island, with concerts by noted Bahamian musicians and lots of enjoyable recreational activities, including fun walks

December

• Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) - mid-December, world-renowned film fest attracting big Hollywood names and up-and-coming local talent
• Police Band Annual Beat Retreat - mid-December, with drill performances staged by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, held on Rawson Square and always drawing a large crowd of spectators
• Christmas Day - December 25th, Christmas is celebrated with aplomb on Paradise Island, with hotels and shopping malls all getting in on the act
• Junkanoo Carnival - December 26th, the third incarnation of this Bahamian cultural display, with all-night parading