Bahamas Events and Festivals
January
 Junkanoo
Beginning in December but peaking on New Years Day, Junkanoo is a cultural festival that has been compared to Rio’s Carnival and New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Locals take to the streets in brightly coloured costumes to perform ethnic dances to the accompaniment of drums, whistles and cowbells.
February
 Spring Break
Students from college and high school begin their long summer break and hence the islands devote themselves to youthful recreation with beach parties, musical concerts and sporting events among the activities on offer.
March
Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival
Held in Exuma, this event sees cultural activities such as poetry reading, singing, storytelling and native arts and crafts.
April
International Beer Festival
Held at the Olde Town Mall, Sandyport, this popular event sees over 30 beers of both local and international origin, available for sampling; a great way to quench that summer thirst.
May
Bahamas Film Festival
This ten-day festival held at the Galleria Cinemas in Nassau is a showcase for full-length movies, documentaries, video shorts and animation pieces made by Bahamian Film producers.
June
Junkanoo in June
January and December’s popular Junkanoo festival gets another chance to be celebrated with a similar array of festivities and some added extras. The festival runs from 9 June through until 29 July.
July
Independence Day
Bahamians celebrate the day their region was granted complete autonomy on this island-wide national holiday.
August
Emancipation Day
Bahamians celebrate the day on which slaves of the British Empire were granted emancipation. This is a public holiday across all of the Bahaman Islands.
October
Discovery Day
Also called Columbus Day in some countries, this national holiday celebrates the travelling triumphs of one of the world’s most famous explorers.
December
Christmas Day
Bahamians celebrate the culmination of the festive period with traditional activities.
Junkanoo
The Junkanoo festival kicks in with another round of lively festivities.
National Holidays
New Year's Day – 1 January
Good Friday – dates vary each year
Easter Sunday – dates vary each year
Whit Monday – dates vary each year
Labour Day – First Friday in June
Independence Day – 10 July
Emancipation Day – First Monday in August
Discovery Day – 12 October
Christmas Day – 25 December
Boxing Day – 26 December
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