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Bermuda Events 2026: Festivals, Dates and What's On
Bermuda runs on festivals. The island has only about 21 square miles and roughly 64,000 residents, so when something happens here, the whole place feels it. Cricket shuts down the country for two days every summer.
The streets of Hamilton fill with Gombey drummers in May. Front Street becomes a pedestrian-only block party every Wednesday from spring through September.
As a Certified Bermuda Specialist who has been writing about the island since 2008, I've found that planning your trip around an event is one of the smartest ways to see Bermuda the way locals see it.
This page is the master calendar. I've verified every date against official sources (Department of Culture, Bermuda Tourism Authority, event organizers) and added the logistical detail you actually need: where to go, how to get there, what to wear, what it costs.
Gombey Dancers on Front Street
Photo: Bermuda Tourism Authority
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Finding Events This Weekend or This Month
If you want to know what's on while you're actually on the island, three resources work better than any printed calendar:
Bernews.com posts daily event listings and live coverage of holiday celebrations.
The Royal Gazette prints a Friday entertainment pullout listing concerts, fetes, and family events.
Bermuda Tourism Authority's gotobermuda.com calendar is the official feed for major listings.
For weekly happenings, the rhythm is simple. Mondays belong to Dockyard. Wednesdays belong to Hamilton (Harbour Nights). Saturdays belong to the Farmers' Market at the Botanical Gardens in winter and to neighborhood Gombey performances in summer. Sundays are quiet by design, with most shops shut and locals at church or on the water.
Pro Tip
If you arrive on a public holiday or the day before one, do your grocery and medicine shopping immediately. Bus and ferry schedules switch to Sunday timing on all public holidays, with reduced frequency, and most supermarkets close entirely on Bermuda Day, Cup Match days, and Christmas Day.
January
Chubb Bermuda Triangle Challenge: January 16-18, 2026. Three days, three races on three courses. The Butterfield Mile runs Friday evening on Front Street in Hamilton. The Allshores 5K and 10K runs on Saturday. The PwC Bermuda Marathon and Half Marathon run Sunday, finishing on Front Street.
The full marathon is a Boston qualifier, and the marathon and half marathon courses are now World Athletics certified. Rum stops on the half and full courses are a real thing, courtesy of Goslings. [Full details on the Bermuda Triangle Challenge page.]
Bermuda Restaurant Weeks: January 16 to February 16, 2026. This is the 16th year. More than 50 restaurants offer two-course lunches and three-course dinners priced between $35 and $69. Six signature dining events are scheduled across the month at venues like Frantzen-inspired tasting nights and Filipino banana-leaf feasts.
New for 2026: a Restaurant Weeks Passport you can pick up at any Visitor Service Center. Collect three stamps and redeem for a Bermuda gift bag.
Pro Tip
Book Restaurant Weeks tables 7 to 10 days ahead. The popular rooms (Intrepid at Hamilton Princess, Waterlot Inn at Fairmont Southampton, The Loren's restaurants in Tucker's Town) fill up first, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
February
Bermuda Spa Month: All of February. Spas across the island offer up to 50% off treatments. Participating spas typically include Exhale at Hamilton Princess, Natura Spa at Grotto Bay, and the spa at The Reefs. Combined with reduced winter accommodation rates, February is the cheapest time to come. Visit
this Spa page to see the participating Spas and their offers.
March and April
Palm Sunday Walk: Organized by the Bermuda National Trust. A roughly 5-mile walk through routes the public rarely sees, usually starting from Berkeley Institute in Pembroke. Free, donations welcomed. Usually starts at 2pm.
Scenic views (like beaches, water bodies, landscapes etc) and historical places including forts and heritage buildings are usually part of the route. Both locals and visitors are welcome to participate.
Harbor Nights: Begins mid-April and runs through early September. Every Wednesday from 7pm to 10pm, Front Street in Hamilton closes to traffic. Vendors set up stalls selling fish sandwiches, Gombey dolls, jewelry, and produce. Gombey troupes perform in the street. Free to attend.
Bermuda Annual Agricultural Exhibition (AG Show): Usually mid-April at the Botanical Gardens in Paget. Three days of livestock judging, equestrian events, baked goods competitions, food trucks, and amusement rides. Roughly 20,000 people attend across the weekend. Admission is modest, typically under $10 for adults.
Bermuda Peppercorn Ceremony: Held in mid to late April at King's Square in St. George. The Bermuda Regiment parades in full ceremonial dress. The Masonic Lodge of St. George pays its annual rent of one peppercorn to the Governor for use of the Old State House. This dates to 1816, when Bermuda's capital moved from St. George to Hamilton. Watch for the ceremonial horse-drawn carriage carrying the peppercorn on a velvet cushion.
May
Bermuda End to End: Usually the first Saturday of May. Walkers, runners, cyclists, kayakers, paddleboarders, and even wheelchair users cover the island from the Town of St. George to the Royal Naval Dockyard. Funds raised go to local charities. Registration is open to visitors.
Bermuda Onion Day: A heritage celebration of the days when the Bermuda onion was the island's most valuable export crop. The event usually centers on Carter House in St. David's.
Portuguese Festival (Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres): The Portuguese community celebrates this Azorean tradition in late May with a parade, traditional food, malassadas, and live music. Bermuda's Portuguese community dates to immigration that began in 1849.
Bermuda Day: Friday, May 22, 2026. The 2026 theme is "For The Culture." This is the unofficial first day of summer. The morning starts with the Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby (the most prestigious local road race) followed by junior races and a cycling race.
The Parade kicks off around 1pm from Albuoy's Point on Front Street and winds through Hamilton to Bernard Park, with floats, majorettes, school groups, dance crews, and multiple Gombey troupes. Wahoo nuggets, fish sandwiches, and codfish breakfast are the dishes of the day. [More on Bermuda Day.]
Pro Tip
Pick a spot on Front Street near Albuoy's Point by 11:30am for the parade start, or get a seat at Bernard Park to catch the finish and the after-party. Public buses and ferries run holiday schedules with extended evening service from Hamilton.
June
Carnival in Bermuda: June 10-15, 2026. Six days, fourteen events. This is the answer for anyone searching "Bermuda Heroes Weekend." The weekend builds around National Heroes Day on Monday, June 15.
Signature events confirmed for 2026 include:
Family Fete at Harbour Nights (Wednesday, June 10, Front Street, 7pm, free)
Evolve (the kickoff all-inclusive fete at Fort Hamilton, Thursday)
Army Fete (military-themed soca night)
Oasis Sunrise Fete (5am at Barr's Bay Park)
Pan in the Park (new for 2026, Victoria Park, Sunday afternoon, family-friendly)
Glow (all-white attire with a splash of yellow, Queen Elizabeth Park)
JAM J'ouvert (2:30am Monday, paint and water)
Revel de Road (the main parade, Monday at noon, masquerade bands through Hamilton)
Most fetes are all-inclusive (unlimited food and drink at the door price). Costume packages for the road parade typically run several hundred dollars and sell out by April.
Canada Day: Celebration on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Canada Day is celebrated as a grand beach party in Bermuda. The Association of Canada organizes this in the island.
Beat Retreat Ceremony: A summer tradition staged at rotating venues from May to October by the Bermuda Regiment and pipe bands. Free to watch.
Newport Bermuda Race (biennial, even years): The 635-nautical-mile yacht race from Newport, Rhode Island, finishes in Bermuda. The 2026 race is on. Boats arrive into St. George's Harbor starting around the third week of June. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club hosts shoreside events.
July
Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship: Three legs across July at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Bermuda Anglers Club, and Sea Horse Anglers Club. Boats fish for blue marlin, white marlin, and spearfish. Visitors can charter spots on participating boats through advance booking.
Cup Match (Day 1): Thursday, July 30, 2026. Emancipation Day public holiday. The cricket starts at 10am at Somerset Cricket Club. (Cup Match alternates venues; even years go to Somerset on the West End, odd years to St. George's on the East End.) See below for the full Cup Match guide.
August
Cup Match (Day 2): Friday, July 31, 2026. Mary Prince Day public holiday. The match concludes with the winning club hoisting the silver cup that has been contested since 1902. Camp Bermuda, the free visitor hospitality area, is set up at Somerset Cricket Club for both days. Game tickets are around $25 at the gate.
Crown and Anchor (a traditional dice game with painted boards) runs in a designated tent. Dress in your team's colors: red and navy for Somerset, sky blue and navy for St. George's.
Pro Tip
Book your Cup Match accommodation by January. In an even year like 2026 with Somerset hosting, stay in Sandys parish (Cambridge Beaches, 9 Beaches villas, or Pompano Beach Club) for walking proximity. From Hamilton, the ferry to Watford Bridge is faster and far more pleasant than the bus.
Bacchanal Run: Sunday, August 2, 2026. Bermuda's alternative J'ouvert. Powdered paint, water trucks, and music through the streets.
Non-Mariners Raft Up: Monday, August 3, 2026 at Mangrove Bay in Sandys. The old
Non-Mariners Race (homemade unseaworthy vessels) was discontinued, but the raft up tradition continues, with dozens of boats tied together for music, swimming, and an all-day floating party.
Soca vs. Reggae Event: 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 on the second day of cup match and is attended by thousands including locals and visitors.
Bermuda Beach Tennis Tournament: 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. Free to watch.
September
Bermuda Sand Sculpture Competition: Bermuda sand sculpture and castle competition is an annual event held at Horseshoe Bay Beach. Teams participate in various categories (entry is free) and create wonderful sand sculptures. Prizes are given away in each category.
October
Taste of Bermuda Food Festival: Held in Hamilton over several days. Top island chefs compete, vendor booths from leading restaurants, and a wine tasting program. The Street Festival night is the highlight, with a ticket granting samples across all booths.
Bermuda Gombey Festival: Mid to late October at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens Main Show Ring in Paget. In 2025 the festival was held on October 19. The 2026 date will be confirmed by the Department of Culture closer to the event; expect a Saturday in the second half of the month. Doors typically open at 4:30pm and the showcase starts at 5pm.
Admission is free. Active Gombey troupes performing in recent years include Gombey Evolution, Gombey Warriors, H and H Gombeys, Place's New Generation Gombeys, Warwick Gombeys, SMS Village Gombeys, Phoenix Gombeys, and Vibe Tribe Gombeys. The festival was named Best Cultural Event in the 2025 Best of Bermuda Awards.
Pro Tip
Bring a blanket or low chair, cash for food vendors (Bermuda is heavily card-friendly but festival vendors are mixed), and arrive by 4:30pm to get a good seat in the Main Show Ring. Parking at the Botanical Gardens fills quickly. Buses 1, 2, and 7 stop at the gardens.
Bermuda Gold Cup - Yacht Race: October 13 - 18, 2026. The Bermuda Gold Cup, a prestigious yachting race, commands the azure waters of the Atlantic with grace and prowess. As a prominent event in international sailing, it attracts top-tier sailors and sailing enthusiasts to the island. Established in 1907, the race has become a symbol of maritime excellence, blending tradition with cutting-edge sailing technology.
Held annually, the Bermuda Gold Cup fosters fierce competition among elite sailors, testing their skill and strategy. The racecourse, set against the stunning backdrop of Bermuda's coastline, adds to the allure. Spectators witness thrilling maneuvers as skilled crews navigate the challenging waters.
Butterfield Bermuda Championship: October 22-25, 2026 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. This is the PGA TOUR event that replaced the old PGA Grand Slam of Golf format. Four days of competition with ocean views from nearly every hole. Daily and weekly grounds passes are sold through the official tournament site.
Bermuda Art Walk: This is a self guided walking tour in St. George to explore the various artworks created by the local artists of all types. It's a festival like event where many store front galleries, retailers and restaurants in the locality stay open till late, display artworks from local artists while food vendors and bakeries offer snacks and beverages.
Talents of all forms showcase their work like pottery, paintings, weaving, woodcraft, live performances like singing and dancing, kids craft and lot more.
Food Truck Festival: Food trucks participate in the event offering hot and fresh local food from the trucks. This is a great opportunity to eat Bermudian food like jerk chicken, fish cakes, fish sandwich, shark hash and lot more along with homemade beverages and island cocktails.
November
World Rugby Classic in Bermuda: A week of veteran international rugby played at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire. Players are recently retired internationals from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and elsewhere. Evenings centre on the Classic Village with food and drink.
Bermuda Remembrance Day Ceremony: Monday, November 9, 2026. Parade along Front Street with the Governor, Premier, and Bermuda Regiment laying wreaths at the Cenotaph in Hamilton.
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa Claus Parade: This is the evening when Santa Claus arrives. The Tree Lighting ceremony usually takes place in front of City Hall in Hamilton City. Large number of residents along with their children gather here for an enjoyable evening. The ceremony usually starts at 5:30pm when a large tree covered with lights is illuminated.
This is followed by appearance of Santa who would normally interact with the children. Then there are performances by school choirs, Bermuda Regiment Band, Bermuda Island Pipe Band etc. The celebration is joined by the Town Crier, Deputy Mayor of Hamilton among others.
Visit the above link for information about events taking place during this time.
December
Goodwill Golf Tournament: Often described as the world's oldest Pro-Am tournament. Hosted across Bermuda's top courses including Port Royal, Mid Ocean, and Tucker's Point.
Christmas Walkabout in St. George's: Organized by the Bermuda National Trust. Historic homes including the Tucker House, the Globe Hotel, and Verdmont open with period decorations, candlelight, and live music.
Christmas Boat Parade: Held biennially on Hamilton Harbor. Boats decked with lights parade past Front Street to crowds gathered at the waterfront. Check current schedule, as the parade alternates years.
Boxing Day Gombeys (December 26): A long Bermudian tradition. Gombey troupes take to neighborhood streets across the island, freely moving between parishes. There's no fixed schedule. Follow the drums.
(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. The boats are gorgeously decked up with lights and parade amongst roaring cheers from thousands who watch this spectacle from the shoreline.
Elbow Beach Festival
Large number of expatriates staying in the island and tourists gather at Elbow Beach in Paget parish on the morning of Christmas Day (December 25) every year to celebrate the occasion. It's complete with food, music on the beach and wine.
St. George Event Venues
The Town of St. George is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the original capital of Bermuda. Its event venues are central to several festivals.
King's Square: Open public square fronting the harbor. Hosts the Peppercorn Ceremony, New Year's Eve celebrations, and historic reenactments including the ducking stool (a costumed comedic demonstration of colonial-era punishment, usually staged in the summer).
Penno's Wharf: Cruise pier and event space outside the World Heritage Centre. Used for seasonal markets and concerts.
Somers Garden: A small public park used for community gatherings.
St. Peter's Church: The oldest continuously used Anglican church in the New World, hosting concerts.
For wedding ceremonies and private events, the St. George's Foundation and the Corporation of St. George manage venue bookings.
Recurring Weekly Events
Harbor Nights in Hamilton, every Wednesday, April through early September, 7pm to 10pm.
Destination Dockyard at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Mondays in summer. Live music, food, and family activities at Heritage Wharf area.
Farmers' Market at the Botanical Gardens in Paget, every Saturday from November to June, 8am to noon. Local produce, jam, honey, baked goods, and craft. Bus 1, 2, or 7 from Hamilton.
Gombeys in the City: Saturday afternoons during summer, on Front Street in Hamilton. Free street performances.
Practical Tips for Event-Goers
Transport: Bermuda has 14 bus zones. A 14-zone (longest journey) one-way ticket is $5 in cash exact change or $4.50 via the Shorelink app or bus passes. Day passes are typically around $19 and a 3-day pass around $44. Buy paper passes at the bus terminal on Church Street in Hamilton, the Visitor Service Centres, or use the Shorelink app to load digital passes. Ferries operate on the same fare system. The Pink Route (Hamilton to Paget and Warwick) and Blue Route (Hamilton to Dockyard) are most useful for event days.
Twizy electric rentals: Available through Current Vehicles and other providers. Roughly $130 per day for two-seater electric vehicles. A good alternative to scooters for couples uncomfortable on two wheels.
Dress code: Bermuda is more formal than most Caribbean islands. Beachwear belongs on the beach. Carnival fetes have specific dress codes (all-white, all-black, themed). Cup Match attendees wear team colors. Bermuda Day is colorful and casual. For business or upscale dinners, Bermuda shorts with knee socks and a blazer is genuinely acceptable, not a costume.
Cash and tickets: Most major events sell tickets through ptix.bm or bdatix.bm. Bring some cash for vendor stalls, tips, and small purchases. Bermuda's currency is the Bermuda dollar, pegged 1:1 with the US dollar, so US dollars are accepted everywhere.
Sherry peppers, swizzle, and what to try at a festival: A proper Rum Swizzle (Goslings Black Seal rum, falernum, citrus, bitters) is the national cocktail. Sherry peppers sauce belongs on fish chowder. Try a fish sandwich at a Bermuda Day or Cup Match stall, ideally on raisin bread with coleslaw and tartar sauce. Cassava pie shows up around Christmas, baked in big trays with chicken and pork.
Best Months to Plan Around
If you want one signature festival, choose by your interest:
Running and food (low season, best rates): January and February
Heritage and parades: May (Bermuda Day weekend)
Soca, fetes, costumes: June (Carnival)
Cricket and beach camping: End of July (Cup Match)
Gombeys and culture: October (Gombey Festival)
Golf: Late October (Butterfield Bermuda Championship)
Christmas tradition: Mid to late December
Whatever month you pick, book accommodation at least three months ahead for major event weekends. Bermuda has a finite hotel inventory and these dates fill early.
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
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Bermuda Art Festivals and Events: Several art festivals take place in Bermuda year round including Art Walk in St Georges, Annual Art Festival, Festival of Performing Arts etc.
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Reviews and Comments
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) July 2019
St George's Seaside Market: A new seaside market has been launched in the Town of St. George's on certain Sundays of the month, the first one having opened its gates this July 7th from 5-8pm. This is aimed at attracting visitors, especially the cruise ship passengers and dates for the market are announced accordingly. The market will be a sort of culmination of the best that Bermuda has to offer in the form of products, entertainment and experience.
Some of the famous business houses in the town like Salt Spray Soap, Sweet Saak Bakery, and Kelly Diel Sea Glass showcase their products here. You can shop for a lot of locally made goods within a single premise. You will also find live entertainment and performances making it a fun filled evening. There will also be a local body who can advise you on how to go about touring the town. The market is set in a picturesque location right by the edge of the water at Penno's Wharf, outside of the World Heritage Center.
Elizabeth Molinaro (December 27, 2014)
Hello, we are a family of 5 (kids ages 16, 15, 11) and we just arrived in Bermuda today. Do you have any suggestions for what we can do on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? look forward to your reply. Thanks
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) December 27, 2014
Hi, you can consider joining the New Year's Eve celebrations at Kings Square, St. Georges (9pm to 1am). Lots of music, live entertainment, food vendors, fireworks, face painting, fun castles and more. MC Ed Cristopher is a great entertainer himself and the Town Crier from Hamilton City. Admission is free to all. Need to organize your transport though, although it's likely that public bus service would be made available until late at night. Otherwise taxis will be available.
The group Off Level is organizing a NYE party from 10pm onwards at the City Hall . Inside there will be LED laser shows, DJs and music. Outside there will be couple of bars where you can socialize and dance. Other attractions here includes photo booth and professional photography, Johnnie Walker tasting table, door prizes etc. Regular entry fee is $40 per person which includes party favors and desserts for ladies. Early bird tickets ($30) are available at several outlets in Hamilton including Sports Locker, Docksiders etc.
Ciroc NYE party will be held at Waterfront Complex (Front Street, Hamilton, Pier 6). Entry at 9pm. Includes DJs, live band from Canada, bars etc. Entry ticket $75, available online at www.bdatix.bm.
Several luxury hotels are offering gala dinner with DJ/Live music such as Waterlot Inn at Fairmonth Southampton Hotel (Southampton), Cafe Lido at Elbow Beach Hotel (Paget), or The Reefs (Southampton).
Nothing much on the New Year Day (Jan 1st) after a long night. Expect a sedate day. You can go for a new year's day family brunch at Beau Rivage at Newstead, 27 Harbour Road, Paget. There will be food from all over the world. You can also visit Masterworks Art Gallery at the Botanical Gardens (Paget) and Bermuda Art Center at the dockyard.
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