22-03-2025
Bahamas Festival Guide 2025: Discover 5 Celebrations You Can't Miss
The Bahamas: A bright, beautiful costume participates in the New Year's Day Junkanoo Street Parade. Possibly no festival best taps into the essence and heartbeat of Bahamian culture then the Junkanoo Festival.
The Bahamas is so much more than just endless sun and gorgeous beaches. It's also jam-packed with entertaining and culturally fascinating festivals. From Easter celebrations that put the focus on local flavors and coconut-inspired treats, to summer get-togethers pulsing with Junkanoo music, the islands know how to put on a festival. Here are just 5 you need to check out in 2025.
Pelican Point Coconut Festival
On April 21, go coco for coconuts at the Pelican Point Coconut Festival on the eastern shores of Grand Bahama. Located in lovely Pelican Point, this lively spring-themed festival presents an endless array of coconut-inspired culinary creations, ranging from luscious sweets to savory dishes, all with the goal of highlighting the amazing versatility of this tropical favorite. Non-foodies will appreciate the chance to shop for unique handcrafted coconut jewelry and artisanal goods for a one-of-a-kind souvenir that's truly emblematic of the island.
Pineapple Festival
Pineapple lovers, rejoice! The golden fruit of the gods finally gets its due at Eleuthera's Pineapple Festival. Running from June 6 to June 7, it's fitting that Eleuthera hosts the homage to this heavenly, honey-sweet fruit as it's said to produce some of the tastiest, juiciest pineapples in the world. This annual event celebrates the king of fruit with a weekend of pineapple-themed fun, from cooking competitions and tastings, to live music, dance performances and a lively parade. Local farmers come in from all over the island for the chance to proudly showcase their harvest.
There's possibly no better festival to see Bahamian culture on full display in all its wonderful forms then at the season-long Goombay Summer Festival.
Goombay Summer Festival
There's possibly no better festival to see Bahamian culture on full display in all its wonderful forms then at the season-long Goombay Summer Festival. Running from June to August 2025, the event begins in San Salvador and Abaco, and is a not-to-be-missed tribute to island traditions, featuring exhilarating Junkanoo rush-outs, energizing Bahamian music and delectable regional cuisine. Every single destination adds its own special magical touch to the proceedings, with the Regatta Site in South Andros presenting one of the most unmissable events on July 9, 2025. Whether you're stuffing yourself silly with conch fritters, moving to the infectious sounds of goatskin drums or just serenely soaking up the singular atmosphere, the Goombay Summer Festival is a memorable cultural experience.
Independence Day
Annually on July 10, The Bahamas overflows with national pride as the islands proudly commemorate their Independence Day. Marking the nation's liberation from British rule in 1973, the day is filled with a spellbinding array of activities, including flag-raising ceremonies, live concerts, traditional Bahamian feasts, dance performances and fireworks. It's a special time where locals and visitors unite to embrace the spirit of the island.
Junkanoo
Possibly no festival best taps into the essence and heartbeat of Bahamian culture then the Junkanoo Festival. Held annually on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January 1), Junkanoo is an ebullient event bursting with music, dance and artistry. This iconic parade showcases elaborately costumed groups of people, rhythmic goat-skin drums, tasty local treats and spirited dancers moving in sync with the beguiling beats. Much more than just a simple parade, Junkanoo is a world-renowned expression of Bahamian pride and community spirit. If you can only attend one festival, Junkanoo is it.
