Bermuda Holidays

Bermuda Public Holidays

If you are visiting the island on a short vacation, watch out for the Bermuda Public Holidays as most of the shops & establishments are closed during these days.

On Bermuda public holidays, government offices, banks and private offices remain closed. There are limited Bus and ferry services available like on Sundays.

Even many taxis do not operate. Almost all the local stores and restaurants are closed. But the hotel restaurants generally stay open.

There is no newspaper published on these days. Even the tour operators do not operate or may have reduced services. However, if you are coming by cruise and you have advance booking for cruise excursions, that should still operate.

Here are the 2011 Bermuda Public holidays

New Years Day: January 1, 2011

Bermudians and the visitors celebrate the New Year's eve (31st December night) in restaurants or hotels. On 1st January, there are many festive events in Bermuda. A motor race is held in Coney island. Many prestigious honors like Her Majesty the Queen's local honors are announced.

Good Friday: April 22, 2011

Good Friday is usually a beach day for most of the Bermudians. They also fly locally made kites in the beaches. This is also the day when they usually eat cod fish cakes. You can get cod fish cakes in restaurants serving Bermudian cuisine.

In Horseshoe Beach, there are several events held on this public Bermuda Holiday including kite competition, children's games, live musical entertainment and Gombey dancing.

Bermuda Day: May 24, 2011

This is the day when annual Bermuda Heritage Day Parade is held. This tradition is taken from Britain where birthday of Queen Empress Victoria is celebrated on this day.

Some of the events on Bermuda Day includes the Marathon Derby. This is raced from Somerset to Hamilton over 13 miles by road, and over the hills and dales. Bermuda's racing legend Stanley Burgess, participated for over 50 years in this marathon since he was 20. His final race was in 1983, when he was 84.

Queen's Birthday: June 15 (no longer a public holiday)

(This is no longer an official public holiday in Bermuda as it has been discontinued in Britain too)

A Military parade is held at the Front Street Hamilton to mark the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Bands including the Bermuda Regimental band and the Bermuda Islander Pipers & Drums band participate in the parade.

Bermuda National Heroes Day: June 20, 2011

October 13th was the official day for honoring the local heroes. However due to popular demand, the holiday is now celebrated in lieu of holiday for Queen's birthday.

Bermuda Emancipation Day: July 28, 2011

Somer's Day: July 29, 2011

Emancipation day in Bermuda marks the end of Slavery in the island. Slaves were freed and slavery was abolished in Bermuda in 1834.

Somer's Day is a historical day when Bermuda was discovered by Admiral Sir George Somers in the year 1609. His ship Sea Venture got wrecked on a reef near the shore of Bermuda. He and his men came ashore which finally resulted in the first human settlement in the island.

These two days are Cricket cup match days. Cricket is a sport originated in England centuries back and quite popular in many countries now. It's played between two sides with 11 players each. It's somewhat similar to baseball, although there are many differences in the two.

On these two days Bermuda virtually closes down. Everybody is watching or listening to radios for the cup match. So, if you are a tourist, you can't do much. The beaches are also very crowded and many Bermudians camp on the public beaches, and even on roadsides.

Bermuda Labor Day: September 5, 2011

There are many events like road races, lectures are organized by the Bermuda Industrial Union on this day. After the victory of the labor government in November 1998, this day has gained additional importance.

Bermuda Remembrance Day: November 11, 2011

This is similar to the Memorial Day held in the US. It is the day to pay tribute to those who served Bermuda during the Worldwars and Korean wars. The formal occasion is held at the Cenotaph, at Front Street Hamilton.

Christmas Day: December 25, 2011

The whole day is spent is festive mood. The Royal Gazette, the only daily newspaper in the island, organizes a short story writing competition on this day.

Bermuda Boxing Day: December 26, 2011

In Bermuda, Boxing day is meant for being generous to those who are less fortunate. Many give away leftover food and drinks from the previous day Christmas celebrations.

Check out Bermuda Travel Guide for more information.

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