Bermuda Events & Festivals

There are plenty of events and festivals in Bermuda that take place round the year. Many of them attract overseas participation as well.

Many of these Bermuda events are of great appeal and excitement to both locals and tourists.

So what kind of events are held in the island?

Bermuda cultural events, sports, social, musical events, performing arts, food and festive celebrations and more.

Here I have picked up and described the most important and popular events and festivals in Bermuda. They are categorized as Annual Events and Weekly Events. With each annual event or festival, the month on which it is held is mentioned alongside. Note that some events are held over several days and may span across more than one month.

Bermuda Annual Events & Festivals 2013/2014

(Arranged by month)

Bermuda Marathon Weekend (January 17 - 19, 2014)

Formerly known as the Bermuda International Race Weekend, runners from all over the world along with locals participate in the Bermuda Marathon Weekend.

Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts (January - March, 2013)

The event started in 1976 and since then it has been a major hub of cultural exchange showcasing diverse range of performing arts. It is held on different dates between the months of January and March.

Bermuda International Love Festival (February .... Cancelled)

Romance can't go any further than the International Love Festival of Bermuda. Plan for a unique experience during Valentines week. Update 2011: Love festival is no longer held in the island. Those who experienced it until 2010, would keep cherishing the unforgettable memories, knowing that this may not be held ever again.

Bermuda Beach Art Festival (March 23, 2013)

An annual event in celebration of the beautiful beaches of Bermuda. The central attraction of the event is artists using rakes and creating amazing artwork on the sandy beaches across the island. But the artworks last only until the next high tide washes it away. Prizes are given away for the best art. Other activities like music & dance, on beach yoga, water sport instructions are also included as part of the festival.

Bermuda International Film Festival (April 12 - 18, 2013)

Launched in 1997, Bermuda International Film Festival or BIFF has gone a long way. It is now the qualifying festival for Short Film Academy Award. Know about the background and current details of the film festival.

Bermuda Peppercorn Ceremony (April 24, 2013)

Bermuda Peppercorn Ceremony is a strange event held since 1816 at St. George, complete with bands and parade from Bermuda Regiment. This was the day when Bermuda's capital moved to Hamilton city from St. George, and the Old State House was given out on an annual rent of just one peppercorn to freemasons.

Kite Festival (April 2013, On Good Friday)

Hundreds of Bermudians and visitors celebrate the Good Friday at the Horseshoe Bay Beach flying kites of different shapes and colors. They make the kites at home and bring them to the beach. A kite competition is held and prizes are given away after the competition. The Festival is also celebrated with live music & entertainment and other activities like tug-o-war etc.

Bermuda Annual Exhibition (In April for 3 days)

Also known as AG Show, the annual exhibition in Bermuda has evolved into a grand country fare and a cultural festive celebration. Over 20,000 people gather here over the 3 days.

Bermuda Art Festival (April - May, for four days)

The Annual Bermuda Art Festival is a cultural event that includes art shows from renowned artists of the island accompanied by live entertainment, food & beverages, self guided art walks and open houses. There are also Beach Art Festival and other Art Walks that are held separately in the island. Check out the link for complete information.

Bermuda End to End (May, 2013)

The Catlin End to End is an annual event in Bermuda where the participants walk, run, cycle, swim, row, ride and even wheelchair across the island from one end (St. George) to the other (Dockyard). The huge funds raised in this event go to the local charities.

Bermuda Day (May 24, 2013)

Bermuda Day is a public holiday. Many events including Parades, races and Marathons are held in the island to mark the beginning of summer.

Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Race (May - September 2013, on various set dates)

Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Race is an extremely popular sail boat race to both locals and visitors. The yacht clubs of Bermuda participate in this.

Beating The Retreat Ceremony (May - October, 2013, Once or twice a month)

Held at various places in the island between May to October, this is an elaborate event with colorful parade and bands. It simulates the 17th century old tradition when drummers would remind the army personnel to get back to barracks once the night falls.

Bermuda Nights (June - October, Twice a month on Saturdays)

This is an initiative from Bermuda Department of tourism to expose the residents and visitors with the best of dance and musical talents of Bermuda. This free evening cultural program is complemented with nice food offerings.

Queen's Birthday Parade (June, 2013)

Find out about the Queens Birthday parade and celebration in Bermuda. This is no longer an official public holiday though in the island.

Canada Day In Bermuda (June, 2013)

Canada Day is celebrated as a grand beach party in Bermuda. The Association of Canada organizes this in the island. Find out all about it.

Newport Bermuda Race (June, held once in every two years)

Newport Bermuda Race is a 635-mile long sail boat race on Atlantic ocean and one of world's premier ocean race on sail boats.

Marion Bermuda Yacht Race (June, Biennial on odd-numbered years)

This is an open ocean yacht race where even amateur skippers can also participate. The race starts from Marion of Massachusetts and ends at St. David's Head in Bermuda covering a distance of 645 nautical miles.

Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship (July 2013)

This is an open fishing tournament having three legs. The boat accumulating maximum points out of all the three legs becomes the winner.

Bermuda Cricket Cup Match (August 1-2, 2013)

Find out about Cup match in Bermuda. The game of Cricket is played over two public holidays Emancipation Day and Somer's Day) and the island virtually shuts down. These two days coincide with Tuesday & Friday that immediately precede the first Monday in August.

Soca vs. Reggae Event (July, 2013)

This is the after party following the cup match where a performance battle takes place between Soca and Reggae DJs and performers. The musical event that takes place at night is attended by thousands including locals, and visitors from US and UK.

Non-Mariners Race (August 4, 2013 - Held on first Sunday in August)

This funny and hilarious event is held at Mangrove Bay where local families and even tourists craft their own strange looking vessels and try to sail on them or stay afloat. These vessels that are unfit for seafaring, are made of strange things including tables, floats and even oil drums.

Bermuda Sand Sculpture Competition (August, 2013)

Bermuda sand sculpture and castle competition is an annual event, usually held in August at Horseshoe Bay Beach. Find out all about it.

Bermuda Gourmet Getaway (August 2013)

International celebrity chefs and the best of local chefs join to prepare fabulous food at Bermuda Gourmet Getaway.

Bermuda Beach Tennis Tournament (August, 2013)

The beach tennis tournament is held at the Horseshoe Bay Beach. This is an ITF (International Tennis Federation) event and participated by both local and international participants and watched by many spectators.

Bermuda Gombey Festival (September 2013)

This annual festival is held to showcase the traditional folk art of Gombey dance. It is also accompanied by performances by stilt walkers, Gombey crafts, face paintings, food stalls and lot more interesting offerings.

Bermuda Grand Prix (September 2013)

Bermuda Grand Prix is a two day bicycle competition. Find out the details here.

Bermuda Music Festival (September/October .... Cancelled)

One of the most popular musical events in Bermuda, this was earlier known as the Bermuda Jazz festival. This is held in September/October over three days. The event features great performances from international stars who are joined by local talents.

King Edward VII Gold Cup - Yacht Race (October 2013)

Bermuda Gold Cup, also known as the King Edward VII Gold Cup, is one of the greatest yacht racing events in the world.

PGA Grand Slam of Golf (October 2013)

PGA Grand Slam of Golf moved to Bermuda in 2007. Over the years, it has grown from a 1-day 18 hole event to a 2-day 36 hole major showdown. The winner of this event is called the year's Champion of the Champions.

Bermuda Remembrance Day Ceremony (November, 2013)

On Bermuda Remembrance Day, a Parade is held and wreaths are laid to pay tribute to the World War heroes who fought for Bermuda.

World Rugby Classic in Bermuda (November 2013)

Find out about how World Rugby Classic is held in Bermuda, what goes on in the island other than the game itself, and more…

Christmas Boat Parade (December 2013 - Held once in two years)

The boat parade is a spectacular event held biennially on Hamilton Harbor. Boats and yachts of all types and sizes participate in this event. They boats are gorgeously decked up with lights and parade amongst roaring cheers from thousands who watch this spectacle from the shoreline.

Bermuda Chess Tournament (Not Scheduled)

The international open chess tournament in Bermuda is held after the Grandmasters championship. It started way back in 1980s.

Bermuda Weekly Events

Harbor Nights (Weekly, May - September)

Harbor Nights is a festive celebration held on Front Street of Hamilton Bermuda. It takes place every Wednesdays during summer months (starting in May).

St. George Market Nights (Weekly, May - August)

Market nights at St. George is held on every Tuesday evening at King Square, St George. It includes entertainment, local arts & crafts, music and more. It is like a traditional fare where many vendors set up stalls in an illuminated festive atmosphere.

Destination Dockyard (Weekly, in summer starting June)

On Mondays, Kings Wharf or the Naval Dockyard in Bermuda offers nightly festival celebrations with fun filled activities in the summer months starting in June. The event is known as Destination Dockyard. UPDATE: This event was canceled in 2011 and replaced by a weekly summer series called the Royal Naval Nights that started in June and ran for 18 weeks. However in 2012, Destination Dockyard is back on every Monday evening from 7.30pm -10pm starting on June 11 and running until September 17, 2012.

Heritage Nights: From May-end, Heritage Night is celebrated at the dockyard on every Thursday for 18 consecutive weeks. The event showcases the traditions and heritage of the island. Demonstrations are given of kite making & Bermuda's traditional game of Cricket, you can play the local gambling game Crown & Anchor, and more. There are performances from local dancers and musicians. Vendors set up stalls for food and beverages. UPDATE April 2012: Heritage Nights is discontinued for 2012

City Market Bermuda (weekly, November through June)

Started in 2002, City Market is held every Saturday morning from November to June at the Bulls Head Car Park, Hamilton City. The market is held like a Bohemian street festival and brings together the best of Bermuda's agricultural and farming products.

People's Market Bermuda (On Saturdays, all through the year)

This is a recently launched open area market where vendors sell all kinds of items in an affordable price and in an atmosphere which is family friendly and inviting. It's a great place to pick up traditional Bermudian items like art & craft from local artists, food items, clothes, books including used ones, jewelry, bags & shoes and lot more. The market is held more like a community event where you can meet many locals. There is also free live music and dance shows that take place. The weekly theme changes. There is no entry fee. It is held at Cedar Bridge Academy School campus in Devonshire parish.

Related Articles

1) Bermuda Public Holidays: Know about the other special days in the island.

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