From Grand Bahama to Eleuthera, The Bahamas is a party animal. While Christmas and New Year’s Eve are observed, this archipelago doesn’t need a holiday to get the revelry going. Here, simply living is something to celebrate.
Here are four festivals and celebrations to check out in The Bahamas.
Junkanoo
This festival can be called the biggest in The Bahamas. Some people start preparing their costumes months in advance.
There are smaller versions across the archipelago. However, the main Junkanoo is on Bay Street in Nassau on Dec. 26. The area surges to life with trumpets, cowbells and joyful cries.
The name is a play on John Canoe, which is the anglicized name of a West African warrior who outfoxed the English and was venerated by slaves. Junkanoo continued after slavery and became commercialized in the 1920s.
Independence Day Celebrations
The Bahamas won independence from Britain on July 10, 1973.
Independence Day celebrations spark before the actual day. Bahamians engage in numerous activities and events, which are designed to demonstrate patriotism.
Bahamians on and off the island marked the Independence Golden Jubilee in July 2023.
The Andros Crab Fest
Andros Island, also called “the land of crabs,” has had crab festivals since 1997.
The crab industry has been the lifeblood of Andros long before there was a festival. In addition to learning the ways crab can be served, there’s a crab show, a releasing of the crabs event and more for the whole family.
Bahamas Carnival
About every Caribbean island has its own spin on Carnival. The Bahamas turns up in late April or early to mid-May.
There are vibrant costumes and high energy. The music has a heavy emphasis on soca.