January
01 Annual Junkanoo Parade &
Festival
A street fair and spectacular parade of music, dance and costume. Starts 5:00
p.m. in the downtown area of Freeport. For more information, call the Ministry
of Tourism at 242-352-8044.
The Carnival Comes To Town
The Carnival brings family fun and excitement; games galore and rides for all
levels of expertise. 3:00 p.m. - midnight daily; Saturdays, noon to midnight.
Goombay Park
February
Early February Bahamas Wahoo
Championship
Third Leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship, Port Lucaya Marina. For more
information, 242-373-9090
Valentine's Day Weekend
Port Lucaya Marketplace celebration.
March
Late March- April 01 (Dates
vary) Annual Spring Break Festival
The festival will be held in the International Bazaar on Thursdays from 5:30
p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Activities will include live music by Bahamian bands, Bahamian
food and drink, plaiting of the Maypole, dance and other contests. call
242-352-8044.
April
Mid-April
Annual Pelican Point Coconut Festival
Thousands gather in Pelican Point, East Grand Bahama, for this event that
includes three days of Bahamian culture at its best. It is a time to sample
pastries and food made with coconut ingredients, coupled with group activities
(climbing the coconut tree contest and water volleyball contest, etc.) weekend
starts off with a Fish Fry and Gospel Jamboree on Friday, April 9th. The
opening ceremony and cultural day is on Saturday. A worship service is held at
St. Matthews Baptist Church on Sunday. The weekend culminates with a cultural
day on Monday. participate in the Rake N Scrap, the Junkanoo Experience, Limbo
Dancing, Food Tasting, Coconut Barking and Coconut Eating activities.
242-353-5313 or the Ministry of Tourism at 242-352-8044.
Mid-April
Annual Marco City Heritage Festival
A special exhibition depicting the history of Marco City highlights the growth
and development of the community since its inception. The Royal Bahamas Police
Force Marching Band, along with the Pop Band, leads the entertainers from
throughout Grand Bahama Island and New Providence in an high spirited weekend
that will also include old-fashioned rake and scrape. Saturday's event
culminates with the exciting sounds of Junkanoo as local groups combine their
goat skins drums, whistles and horns in a Junkanoo rush-out. On Sunday, there is
a gospel concert from 2:00 -10:00 p.m. 242-352-8635.
Late April First Leg Of The
Dolphin/Tuna Classic
Trophies and prize money
will be awarded for the Heaviest Tuna weighed in during the tournament and also
for the Heaviest Dolphin. 242-373-9090 / Fax: 242-373-5884.
May
Mid-May Second Leg Of The
Dolphin/Tuna Classic
Trophies and prize money
will be awarded for the Heaviest Tuna weighed in during the tournament and also
for the Heaviest Dolphin. 242-373-9090
Late May
The Air Tran Airways Grand Bahama Golf Bahama Golf Classic
This is a three-day event held at The Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort.
This is a 4-person, best-ball, shotgun start tournament. Golfers receive airfare
between Atlanta and the Grand Bahama Island, oceanfront hotel room, 36 holes of
golf, all first-class meals and ground transportation. Sponsorships, foursomes
and individual player slots are available for this event.
July
04
"Happy Birthday USA" Celebration, Port
Lucaya Marketplace
Early-mid-July Hackers Golf
Tournament
Ruby Golf Course, Royal Oasis Resort & Casino. 242-350 7000.
Late July
Holmes Rock Annual Sculling
Contest
This event is similar
to a regatta and invitations will be extended to all of the islands to
participate. 242-352-8044.
August
Early August
Freetown's Cha Cha Festival
This annual festival is held in honour of the "Cha Cha," heart of the Thatch
(island) palm. Featured are salads, cakes, hats and tea all made from that
versatile item. Also on sale is traditional Bahamian cuisine, including native
bread and tarts. Fun and games for the entire family, including a variety of
cultural activities considered unique to the people of Freetown.
Annual Bernie Butler Basra Swim
Race
Health enthusiasts of all ages compete in the annual two mile swim race at
Lucayan Beach. For more information, call 242- 352-9246
Early August
West End Powerboat Race
An exciting weekend of fun with float boat parades, water boat parade and short
races leading up to the main race on August 5. For more information, call
242-346-6495.
Early August Funk Fest Bahamas
An exciting five days of Warm Sun, Beach Parties, Pool Parties, Pajama Parties
Bahamian style, Junkanoo rush out, Golfing, concerts, a gospel brunch.
Including, three days of overwhelming performances by the best in comedy and
funk Music.
Early August
The Family Rendezvous & Bahamas Tourism Fling
This tournament is designed so that parents and grandparents can spend quality
time with their children prior to the children going back to school. Every child
entering this tournament will be a winner; there will be fishing trophies for
all, as well as numerous shore side activities and functions. 242-373-9090 /
Fax: 242-373-5884
Mid- August Annual Grand Bahama
Island Summer Junkanoo Festival
A street festival with Junkanoo rush-out, local Bahamian bands, People-to-People
ring play, Jump N’ Dance, etc. Every Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the
International Bazaar. For more information, please call the Ministry of Tourism,
at 242-352-8044,
Mid August
Annual Grand Bahama Island Sailing Regatta
Native sailing sloops (17' - 28') converge off Grand Bahama Island in a show
down for championship of the seas. On shore festivities at Taino Beach include
music, dancing, food stalls and a Junkanoo rush-out. 242-352-8525 or
242-352-8044.
August 21 - December 21
Discovery Festival
The world famous International Bazaar comes alive with the sound of music at the
annual Discovery Festival. Each Thursday afternoon for nine weeks, cruise
passengers, overnight visitors and residents enjoy the sounds of island music,
and the tantalizing aroma of traditional Bahamian foods in the open air, from
12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Organizers anticipate surprise appearances by VIPs and
special friends of Grand Bahama throughout the festival. Live entertainment is
scheduled to commence from 2:00pm, provided by local musicians. Dancers, actors
and story tellers will be featured in a folklore review and there
areperformances by Junkanoo Groups.
September
Early September
Small Boat Tournament
This tournament is for the budget conscious fisherman who owns a small boat.
There are two categories, 28’and under and the Open division, 29’ and over.
242-373-9090
Late September
International Coastal Clean-Up
Over eight hundred
students help clean up the coastline of Grand Bahama Island. 242-352-8044.
October
Mid October Annual
Grand Bahama Island Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival
This annual event, produced by Bill Lockett's Festivals and Travel, is sponsored
by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, and
local hotels. Indoor and outdoor performances by local and international
artists are scheduled from midmorning through late night at several locations
throughout Freeport/Lucaya..
December
26 Boxing Day
The day is a traditional English holiday started centuries ago when nobility &
landlords boxed leftover Christmas goodies & gave them to servants The party
starts at 7:00 p.m., ending with a fantastic Fireworks display at the Count
Basie Square.
(242) 373-2485
Destinations include Lucayan
and Peterson Cay national parks. Snorkeling, bicycling, hiking, and
birdwatching tours are also available. Tours depart daily.
Sports
Horseback Riding
Pinetree Stables, off East Sunrise Highway
(242) 373-6000
The stables offer guided two hour trail rides with a
weight limit of 200 pounds.
Kayaking
Kayak Native Tours
(242) 373-2485
Destinations include Lucayan
and Peterson Cay national parks. Snorkeling, bicycling, hiking, and
birdwatching tours are also available. Tours depart daily.
Island Sporting Activities
Reef Tours, Beach Parties and
traditional water sports and visitor activities are available along with Kayak
Nature Tours, UNEXSO scuba dives and the Dolphin Experience, the Perfume
Factory, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and the International Bazaar. Sunset Village
in Eight Mile Rock Garden of the Groves and the Lucayan National Park are other
favorites.
Golf Courses
Grand Bahama Island's four 8-hole PGA rated championship golf courses are
located within ten minutes of each other.
