Bermuda Public Holidays
What to expect on public holidays
Bermuda observes 10 public or national holidays in a year. If you are visiting the island on a short vacation, watch out for the Public Holidays as most of the shops, establishments and public attractions and activities are closed during these days. While the public beaches remain open, they are usually quite crowded on such days.
On public holidays, the Bermuda Government offices, banks and private offices remain closed. Bus and ferry services are limited. Even many taxis do not operate. Almost all the local stores and restaurants are closed. But a few restaurants and the ones at the hotels usually 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 arriving by cruise ship, you can still avail the shore excursions offered by the cruise line. They make special arrangements with the operators to run such activities even on public holidays. Find out
what attractions remain open and how to get around on public holidays
The 10 public holidays in Bermuda
(1) New Year's Day
Bermudians and the visitors celebrate the New Year's eve (31st December evening) in restaurants and hotels. At King Square of St. George, traditional onion dropping takes place on 31st December at mid night bringing in the new year. A large onion shaped illuminated bulb is gradually dropped as the count down begins to roaring cheers from the crowd. This tradition has a direct bearing with
Bermudians being known as onions.
On 1st January, many festive events take place in Bermuda. Festive celebrations take place on Front Street of Hamilton City and in St. George. The celebrations include live bands, dance, music and vendors selling food and various other items. Bermudians come in colorful dresses and participate in the big public parties. The Gombeys troupes also make their ways around various parts of the island and perform. A motor race is held in Coney island. Many prestigious honors like Her Majesty the Queen's local honors are announced.
(2) Good Friday
Good Friday is usually a beach day for most of the Bermudians. They also fly locally made kites on 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 Bay Beach, there are several events held on Good Friday including
Kite Festival, children's games,
Gombey dance and live musical entertainment.
(3) Bermuda Day
On
Bermuda Day the 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.
(4) Bermuda National Heroes Day
Earlier, 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. It started in 2008.
(5) Bermuda Emancipation Day (Cup Match Day1)
Emancipation day marks the end of
Slavery in Bermuda. Slaves were freed and slavery was abolished in Bermuda in 1834 on this day. This is also the first day of the Cricket Cup Match held in the island.
(6) Mary Prince Day (Cup Match Day2)
Mary Prince is recognized as a 'National Hero' in Bermuda. She was a British abolitionist born in Bermuda and was instrumental in abolishing slavery in the UK as well as in Bermuda and the Caribbean. This day is also the second day of the Cricket Cup Match.
Emancipation day and Mary Prince Day are also known as
Cricket Cup Match days in the island. 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.
Thousands watch the match live at the stadium, many others watch TVs or listen to radios for the running commentary of the match, and the rest of islanders take to streets and beaches for picnics and camping. So, if you are a tourist, you can't do much on these days. The beaches also get very crowded.
Note that these two consecutive public holidays are followed by the week-end (Saturday and Sunday). Although Saturdays are not public holidays in the island, most shops and establishments declare holiday on this particular Saturday. So Bermudians basically enjoy four continuous holidays.
(7) Bermuda Labor Day
The labor day is celebrated towards the equality of trade and employment in Bermuda. The island had a long history of slavery, racial discrimination and economical disparity. In 1963, the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) was formed that started working towards equality of employment, land ownership, voting rights and fair trade. Many islanders actively worked together towards such social and economical reforms.
Today there are many events held in the island on this day including road races, parades, lectures etc that are organized by the Bermuda Industrial Unions. The speeches are of special importance that are traditionally held at the Bernard Park. Members of the political parties and unions share their thoughts of how to make Bermuda's labor polices more equitable and better.
(8) Bermuda Remembrance Day
Bermuda Remembrance Day 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.
(9) Christmas Day
The whole day is spent is festive mood. People gather with their families at the beaches and enjoy a drink as they chat with fellow Bermudians. A traditional Christmas dish in Bermuda is Cassava Pie which is quite rich in starch. Cassava is part of woody shrubs which are originally from South America. In Bermuda they are mostly imported. The Royal Gazette, the daily newspaper in the island, organizes a short story writing competition on this day.
(10) Boxing Day
In Bermuda, Boxing day is meant for being generous to those who are less fortunate. Many give away food and drinks to the poor particularly the leftover cassava pie from Christmas dinner. As a tradition the Gombeys Troupes make their rounds and perform at various places in the island. NOTE: Since the boxing day in 2015 is a Saturday, the Government offices and establishments will be closed on the following Monday.
Holidays in 2024/2025
NOTE: If a public holiday falls on a weekend (i.e. Saturday or a Sunday), then according to Public Holidays Act 1947 of Bermuda, the following weekday will be celebrated as the public holiday. Also, as an exception, additional public holidays may be declared on a specific calendar year.
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2024
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New Year's Day
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January 1
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Good Friday
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March 29
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Bermuda Day
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May 24
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National Heroes Day
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June 17
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Emancipation Day
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August 1
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Mary Prince Day
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August 2
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Labor Day
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September 2
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Remembrance Day
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November 11
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Christmas Day
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December 25
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Boxing Day
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December 26
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2025
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New Year's Day
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January 1
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Good Friday
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April 18
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Bermuda Day
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May 23
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National Heroes Day
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June 16
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Emancipation Day
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July 31
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Mary Prince Day
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August 1
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Labor Day
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September 1
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Remembrance Day
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November 11
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Christmas Day
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December 25
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Boxing Day
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December 26
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 By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Rebecca Lyons (May 2023)
Thanks so much for the information! We will be there during the special coronation bank holiday. Do you think this will be less shut down as far as taxi drivers/beach shuttles are concerned since it's not an annual event residents traditionally plan for?
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) May 2023
Hello, since it has been declared a public holiday, you can expect that all commercial establishments and public transport in Bermuda to follow the usual norms as on any other public holiday. Ferries, taxis and buses will operate at a reduced Sunday/Holiday frequency, and most stores in Hamilton will be closed on May 8 (the Coronation Bank Holiday). However, stores and shops in Dockyard are likely to remain open as there will be a cruise ship in port. The beach shuttles should also be available.
Barbara Mills (February 2020)
I am to Bermuda on June 15-16, 2020 with RCI cruise. Heard June 15 was a holiday. Please tell me what will be open/closed on that day so i will know how to plan my day.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2020
Alina Rokicki (August 2013)
Hi, we are going to Bermuda after Labor Day. Are the facilities open on Horseshoe beach after Labor Day? Please advise.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) August 2013
Hi, Yes... it's business as usual after any public holiday like labor day.
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