The Joy of Junkanoo
Junkanoo's standing as one of the Caribbean's most celebrated and spirited carnivals is undisputed.
From colourful costumes to exuberant dance routines, participants spend months preparing for the pageantry of this street parade accompanied by the steady beat of whistles, cowbells, horns, and goatskin drums that starts in the wee hours after midnight. Catch this celebration of Bahamian culture and history on Boxing Day—aka the day after Christmas—as well as on New Year's Day and many Saturdays throughout the summer. The largest Junkanoo celebration takes place on Bay Street, in downtown Nassau, but Bahamians across the 16 islands celebrate this joyful tradition.
Festivals
Rolle Town Rolle Town Homecoming
Come and celebrate the Rolle Town Homecoming. This event promises a day full of fun activities, including live entertainment, delicious food, and games. It's a fantastic opportunity to gather with the community, enjoy the festivities, and create lasting memories.
Queen's Highway, Palmetto Point, Cancer Society Headquarters CANCER SOCIETY OF ELEUTHERA ANNUAL HOPE BALL
The Hope Ball is an event held each year on Eleuthera. Ladies and gentlemen get a chance to dress up in their Sunday's Best and enjoy a fun-filled evening of dancing, dining, and engaging in conversation.
Funds raised from the event go towards helping persons in the community and educating the public about the different kinds of cancers and treatment options available.
For Further Information:
cancersocietyeleuthera@live.com
(242) 332-1804
Downtown, Freeport Freeport Junior Junkanoo Parade
Join The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for its Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade which showcases primary and high school Junkanoo rush out, costumes, and banners on the streets of Downtown.
Join The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for its Annual Junior Junkanoo Parade which showcases primary and high school Junkanoo rush out, costumes, and banners on the streets of Downtown.
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Pelican Point Pelican Point Coconut Festival
Held every Easter Monday, Coconut Festival is a unique Bahamian celebration with a twist of everything coconut from coconut tarts, coconut bread, coconut infused rice to the famous coconut husking demonstration with visitors and guests.
Held every Easter Monday, Coconut Festival is a unique Bahamian celebration with a twist of everything coconut from coconut tarts, coconut bread, coconut infused rice to the famous coconut husking demonstration with visitors and guests.
Each year the festival attracts hundreds to the eastern end of Grand Bahama to enjoy edible coconut creations, jewelry and live entertainment.
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Grand Bahama Dive Week
Join The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in our annual Grand Bahama Dive Week!
Signature partners are committed to generating dive packages, accommodations and activities that will appeal to divers throughout the United States and North America.
This dive week caters to dive enthusiasts as well as non-divers.
For more information contact:
Wendell Saunders
wsaunders@bahamas.com
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Grand Bahama Yacht Club Battle Ground Bahamas Fishing Tournament
This two-day yellowfin fishing tournament provides a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for the whole community which promoting safe boating practices.
This two-day yellowfin fishing tournament provides a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for the whole community which promoting safe boating practices.
This event also serves as a platform to spread awareness of current ecological concerns throughout The Bahamas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Junkanoo take place?
Junkanoo is a bi-annual celebration of sights and sounds that takes place on Bay Street in Nassau and on many of the Out Islands.
How did the celebration originate?
Though the exact origin of the festival is unknown, there are plenty of theories. Many believe it was established by John Canoe, a legendary West African Prince, who outwitted the English and became a local hero. The most popular belief, however, is that it evolved from the days of slavery. Loyalists who migrated to The Bahamas in the late 18th Century brought their African slaves with them. The slaves were given three days off during the Christmas season, which they used to celebrate by singing and dancing in colourful masks, travelling from house to house, often on stilts. The uncertainty of its origin only proves that Bahamians don’t need a reason to throw a wonderful celebration.
What is Junkanoo?
The celebrations of the Junkanoo Festival have been evolving in The Bahamas since the early 1900’s, but today, it serves less as a street festival and more as a grand parade celebrating the Bahamian culture. Organised groups of up to 1000 people spend almost the whole year preparing costumes and entertainment for the event, and to them, that’s half the fun.
When is Junkanoo celebrated?
The Junkanoo highlight of the year occurs on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and New Year’s Morning. The festival is also celebrated on Independence Day, Junkanoo Summer Fest, and other small holidays throughout the year.
Can visitors participate in the Junkanoo parade?
Junkanoo celebration brings together people from all walks of life. Anyone is welcome to participate, so long as they abide by the rules of the National Junkanoo Association. Visitors can make arrangements through their hotel to join the festival.
