The Bahamas is a popular tourist destination for the Christmas holidays, and all the islands offer a festive holiday atmosphere with plenty to do and see. There are many carnivals and festivals around this time of year, so bring your slippers and swimming suit and get ready to celebrate Christmas Bahamian-style. Here are some Christmas events you may want to put on your must-see list while in the Bahamas this time of year.
Abaco Christmas Festival
This is a very popular family festival that takes place every year on the first Saturday in December. Shop until you drop at the Arts & Crafts Bazaar where you can get a head start with your Christmas gift shopping. There is a delicious food court area with booths selling delicious local foods, pastries and beverages. During daytime you can also hear performances from choirs, quartets, soloists, marching and calypso bands. If you stay until the evening you can enjoy a top performance of illustrious sounds of Junkanoo, featuring colorful costumes and the intoxicating beat of goat skin drums.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Exumas
Come visit Regatta Park in George Town on December 6 at 7:00 pm for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This event is perfect for the entire family, and you can sing carols and see performances by local talents. The highlight of the evening is when the park is transformed with thousands of Christmas lights and the Christmas tree is lit.
Boxing Day
Dedicated to the slaves, the name of this holiday is connected to the fact that slaves were given the boxes left over from their masters’ gifts. These were precious boxes usually sent from England and were well-crafted from fine wood. The highlight of the day is the Junkanoo parades that take place on some of the islands. If you are in Nassau, the Junkanoo Festival is one of the most exciting events of the year. The festival features groups of Bahamians dressed in handmade costumes and dancing the whole night through the streets of downtown Nassau. Dances are a mixture of European brass and traditional African instruments.
Creative Nassau Market
The Creative Nassau Market takes place throughout the year, but becomes a very popular destination around the Christmas holidays. Here you can buy a wide range of unique handmade Bahamian products, such as straw items, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, music, clothing, pet wares, local fruit popsicles and drinks, and so much more!
Authentic Bahamian Christmas Craft Show
This event is being held by The Ministry of Tourism in Governor’s Harbour and takes place on November 24 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. An array of handmade crafts and goods will be available for sale, and there will be a farmers’ market, a native designer fashion show and much more. For your enjoyment there will be live entertainment, foods and drinks as well.