Nassau Annual Events

Nassau offers year-round warm weather, no matter which month travelers visit, they will find plenty to keep them occupied. From festivals to sporting events to numerous regattas, there is something for everyone amidst the tropical beauty of the islands. The list below presents an overview of the major events in the area for a given month and links to more information about the venue when available.

January
New Year's Day
January 1. Public holiday. Junkanoo parade on Bay Street is a kaleidoscope of sound and spectacle.
Staniel Cay New Year's Day Cruising Regatta
January 1. Exuma. Visiting crafts test their speed. For information, please call (242) 355-2060.
Polar Bear Swim
January 1. Nassau/Paradise Island. Featuring a beach party and the customary (snowbirds) swim in the sea amongst giant ice cubes. For information, please call (242) 322-6504.
New Year's Sailing Regatta
January 1 & 2. Montagu Bay. About 40 locally built sloops compete, and onshore Bahamian dishes are sold. For information, please call (242) 394-0445.
Nassau Classic Car Festival
Early January. Nassau/Paradise Island. Featuring a showcase and parade of classic cars. For information, please call (242) 302-2010.
Dansa Awards
Mid January. Nassau/Paradise Island. Bahamian version of the Academy Awards, recognizing outstanding talent in theatre. For information, please call (242) 393-2437.
Supreme Court Opening
Mid January. Nassau/Paradise Island. Ceremony opening the annual session of The Bahamas Supreme Court. The internationally renowned Bahamas Police Force Band provides the music.
Bahamas Princess Resort & Casino Crystal Pro-Am Golf Tournament
Mid January. Grand Bahama Island. One of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the Caribbean, teams are composed of one professional and three amateurs going for $100,000 in cash prizes and awards. For information call (242) 352-9661.
February
The History of Transportation and Communication in the Bahamas
All February. Presented by the Archives Department. For information call (242) 393-2175.
Farmer's Cay Festival
Early February. Exuma. Yachtsmen cruising The Exuma Islands meet, and a home-coming for the people of Farmer's Cay. For information call (242) 355-4006.
Annual Valentine Massacre Regatta
Mid February. Nassau/Paradise Island. A full day with lots of fun activities. For information call (242) 394-0445.
George Town Cruising Regatta
Late February - Mid March. Exuma. A popular sailing regatta, attracting over 500 visiting yachts annually for a week of fun and festivities. For information call (242) 394-0445.
Spring Break Season
Late February - Early April. College and high school students celebrate in the islands. For information call (242) 322-7500 ext. 4247.
March
Bacardi Rum Cup
Mid February. Nassau/Paradise Island. Two days filled with sailing competitions and special performances by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. For information call (242) 322-4822.
Hope Town Heritage Day
Mid March. Abaco. A special fun day. For information call (242) 366-0033.
George Town Cruising Regatta
Late February - Mid March. Exuma. A popular sailing regatta, attracting over 500 visiting yachts annually for a week of fun and festivities. For information call (242) 394-0445.
International Dog Show and Obedience Trials
Mid March. Nassau/Paradise Island. Two-day display of canine talent and discipline. For information call (242) 393-1360.
Spring Break Season
Late February - Early April. College and high school students celebrate in the islands. For information call (242) 322-7500 ext. 4247.
April
Family Island Regatta
Late April. Locally-built sloops, representing each of the major Islands of the Bahamas, compete for the "Best In The Bahamas" title. For information call (242) 336-2430.
Bahamas Heritage Festival
Late April - Early May. Nassau/Paradise Island. This section of the Great Bahamas Seafood Festival is a cultural affair, featuring traditional music and story-telling. For information call (242) 302-2072.
Spring Break Season
Late February - Early April. College students celebrate in the islands.
May
Bahamas Heritage Festival
Late April - Early May. Nassau / Paradise Island. This section of the Great Bahamas Seafood Festival is a cultural affair, featuring traditional music and story-telling. For information call (242) 302-2072.
Long Island Sailing Regatta
Late May- Early June. Long Island. Forty to fifty locally built sailing sloops, representing each of the major Bahamian islands compete for prizes. Festive atmosphere onshore featuring entertainment by native rake & scrape bands, sporting activities and the sale of native dishes. For information please call (242) 394-1535.
June
Whit Monday
Early June. Public Holiday.
Labor Day
Early June. Public Holiday.
Long Island Sailing Regatta
Late May- Early June. Long Island. Forty to fifty locally built sailing sloops, representing each of the major Bahamian islands compete for prizes. Festive atmosphere onshore featuring entertainment by native rake & scrape bands, sporting activities and the sale of native dishes. For information please call (242) 394-1535.
Pineapple Festival
Early June. Eleuthera. A four-day celebration of the Eleuthera pineapple. Featuring a Junkanoo parade, craft displays, dancing, a pineapple recipe contest, tours of pineapple farms and more. For information please call (242) 332-2142.
July
Miss Commonwealth Beauty Pageant
Mid July. Nassau/Paradise Island. Young Bahamian beauties vie for the coveted title of Miss Commonwealth Bahamas. For information call (242) 322-4252.
Independence Day
July 10. A public holiday [The Islands Of The Bahamas]. Festivities, parades and celebrations take place. For information call (242) 322-1312.
Beer Festival
July. Exuma. During full moon in this month. Lots of fun and pizza. For information call (242) 355-4006.
Bahamas Body Building Championships
Mid July. Nassau / Paradise Island. A national event, attracting muscled body builders from all major Islands of the Bahamas. For information call (242) 325-1519.
August
Emancipation Day
August 3. A public holiday. Commemorating the emancipation of slavery in 1834.
Coca-Cola Bash
Mid August. Grand Bahama Island. A highlight of the Emancipation Holiday (a public holiday). For information call (242)352-7333.
Miss Bahamas Beauty Pageant
Mid August. Nassau / Paradise Island. Young Bahamian beauties vie for the coveted title of Miss Bahamas. For information call (242) 393-4041.
September
Bahamas Atlantis Superboat Challenge
Late September. Nassau / Paradise Island. A major international power boat race. For information call (242) 322-7500.
October
Discovery Day
October 12. Public Holiday.
North Eleutera Sailing Regatta
Mid October. Five days of sailboat racing. Festival features native dishes and entertainment. For information call (242) 394-0445.
26th Annual McClean's Town Conch Cracking Contest
Mid October. Contest to see who can extract the most conchs from their shells in the shortest time. For information call (242) 342-8044.
International Cultural Weekend
Mid October. Festival featuring entertainment, food, art and crafts. For information call (242) 302-2076.
November
All Abaco Sailing Regatta
Early November. For information, please call (242) 394-0445.
Bahamas Wahoo Tournament
Mid November. Hosted by the Bimini Big Game Fishing Club. For information, please call (242) 347-3391.
Andros Community Awareness Week
Late November. Cultural show featuring the lifestyle and culture of Androsians with native dishes, music, Junkanoo, dance and story telling. For information, please call (242) 368-2286.
December
Authentic Bahamian Christmas Trade Show
Mid December. Nassau / Paradise Island. Assortment of high-quality and unique products by Bahamian manufacturers. For information, please call (241) 302-2063.
Police Band Christmas and Classic Concert
Mid December. The world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band performs traditional Christmas and classical pieces. For information, please call (242) 322-2020.
Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade
December 26. Public Holiday. National street festival. For information call (242) 394-0445.
Christmas Sailing Regatta
December 25 & 26. Montagu Bay. Locally built boats race. For information, please call (242) 394-0445.