Bermuda Traditions and Local Customs: A Guide to Island Folklore and Festivals

 

 

Updated: October 2026 

Bermuda does not feel quite like the Caribbean, nor does it feel strictly British. The local traditions here are a highly specific, 400-year-old blend of formal British etiquette, Afro-Caribbean rhythm, and hardcore maritime survival. 

 

You will find locals wearing crisp blazers with knee socks, right next to street dancers in towering peacock feather masks. 

 

Understanding these customs is the difference between feeling like a confused tourist and an insider. Before you dive into the island's folklore and ceremonies below, you might want to brush up on everyday etiquette over on my Bermuda People and Culture guide. 

 

At a Glance

 

 

Who This Is For (And Who Should Skip)

 

This guide is for cultural explorers, history buffs, and travelers who actually want to mingle with locals. If you plan to rent an EV mini-car, drive out to the parishes, and ask questions at roadside food stands, this is for you. 

 

Skip this if you just want to stay inside a walled-off mega-resort and only care about the beach. Bermuda's culture requires you to step off the resort property and into the local neighborhoods. 

 

What Surprised Me the Most

 

The absolute strictness of the "Good Morning" rule caught me off guard on my first trip. You cannot simply walk up to a bus driver or a cashier and ask a question. You must say "Good morning" or "Good afternoon," wait for their response, and then proceed. Skipping this step is considered highly rude. 

 

The other major surprise was the sheer, chaotic scale of the Crown and Anchor gambling tents during Cup Match. Bermuda is generally a quiet, conservative place. Seeing thousands of locals slamming cash down on dice tables inside massive, humid tents was a massive contrast to the island's usual polite reserve. 

 

Architectural and Home Folklore

 

Bermudians take their homes very seriously. The iconic white limestone roofs are not just for show; they catch and filter the island's drinking water. 

 

Roof Wetting with Black Seal Rum

 

When a new home or a new roof is completed, builders perform a "roof wetting" ceremony. They pour a bottle of local Goslings Black Seal rum directly onto the stepped white limestone. 

 

This tradition is meant to bring good luck and ensure the rain catchment system provides sweet, clean water. If you walk past a newly built home in Paget Parish, you might just catch the faint smell of molasses and rum baking in the sun. Learn more about Bermuda's Traditional Architecture. 

 

Shark Oil Barometers

 

Before modern meteorology, Bermudian sailors relied on shark liver oil to predict hurricanes. Many older homes still hang a small glass bottle of this oil outside their doors. 

 

When the oil is clear, the weather will be calm. When the oil turns cloudy or milky, a severe storm is approaching. You can spot these traditional barometers hanging outside the older cottages in the Town of St. George. 

 

Wedding and Romance Traditions

 

Couples have been traveling here for decades to get married. The island has a few specific customs that you will see at almost every local wedding. 

 

The Limestone Moongate

 

Moongates are circular stone arches found in gardens across the island. A local sea captain imported the design from China in the mid-19th century. 

 

Moongate at Somers Garden, St. George 

 

Photo: Clyde Adams III, flickr, cc by 2.0 

 

Tradition dictates that newlyweds must walk through the limestone ring holding hands to guarantee a long, happy marriage. Watch your step, as the limestone base is often slippery from morning dew. 

 

The Bermuda Cedar Wedding Cake

 

Local wedding cakes are often covered in silver or gold leaf, representing wealth. But the true local signature is the cake topper. 

 

Couples place a live sprig of Bermuda Cedar on top of the top tier. After the wedding, they plant the cedar sprig in their yard. The tree grows alongside their marriage, serving as a living marker of their anniversary. 

 

Major Holidays and Festivals

 

If you are traveling to Bermuda, timing your trip around a major holiday will completely change your experience. Just be aware that grocery stores and most restaurants shut down completely during these events. 

 

Good Friday (Kites and Codfish)

 

Good Friday is spent on the beach, specifically Horseshoe Bay where the popular Kite Festival is celebrated. Locals build massive, geometric tissue-paper kites that emit a loud humming noise as they fly. 

 

The sky fills with bright colors, and the air smells like frying oil. Everyone eats hot cross buns paired with local fish cakes. You can find my favorite local food over on the Bermuda Local Food page. 

 

Bermuda Day and The Gombeys

 

Held on the fourth Friday in May, Bermuda Day is the unofficial start of summer. This is traditionally the first day locals will swim in the ocean. 

 

The highlight is the Bermuda Day Parade in Hamilton, featuring the Gombeys. These are traditional street performers wearing towering peacock feather masks, capes, and bells. They dance to a hypnotic, fast-paced snare drum rhythm that you can feel in your chest. 

 

Gombey Dancers on Front Street 

 

Photo: Bermuda Tourism Authority 

 

Cup Match and Crown and Anchor

 

Cup Match happens over the Thursday and Friday before the first Monday in August. It is a massive two-day cricket match between St. George's and Somerset. 

 

Beyond the cricket, the main attraction is the Crown and Anchor tents. This is a simple dice game played on a board with card suits and crowns. It is the only time and place gambling is traditionally legal in Bermuda, and the noise inside the tents is deafening. Bring cash, as ATMs run out quickly. 

 

The Mangrove Bay Raft-Up

 

You might see references to the "Non-Mariners Race." That official event was cancelled back in 2018. Today, the tradition survives as a massive, unorganized boat raft-up in Mangrove Bay on the Sunday after Cup Match.  

 

Hundreds of boats tie together in the water, playing music and sharing drinks. If you want to go, take the Blue Route ferry to Royal Naval Dockyard and catch a taxi down to Mangrove Bay. 

 

Raft-Up, Bermuda 

 

Photo: Bermuda Tourism Authority 

 

The Royal Connection: Easter Lilies

 

Bermuda has a long agricultural history of growing Easter Lilies. In the 19th century, this was a massive export business for the island. 

 

Today, the tradition continues at the highest level. Every spring, the Governor of Bermuda hand-picks a pristine bouquet of local Easter Lilies. They are boxed up and flown via British Airways directly to King Charles III at Windsor Castle. 

 

Afternoon Tea

 

An elaborate afternoon tea accompanied with scones and finger sandwiches has been a long tradition in Bermuda. At around 4pm, almost all Bermudians would be craving for a cup of tea even if they would need to stall their work for a while. 

 

This is adapted from an old British tradition. Check out Bermuda Afternoon Tea to know about this tradition and where to get the best Bermuda Afternoon tea in case you plan to try it out in the island. 

 

Common Mistakes Visitors Make

 

Do not treat Bermuda like a generic party island. The culture requires a bit of respect and observation. 

Forgetting the Greeting: Do not ask a local for directions without saying "Good morning" or "Good afternoon" first. They will likely ignore you or correct you. 

Looking for the Non-Mariners Race: Do not ask where the starting line is for the race on the Sunday after Cup Match. Just tell a taxi driver you want to see the raft-up in Sandys. 

Interrupting the Gombeys: When you see Gombey dancers on the street, respect the circle. Do not walk into the middle of their performance to take a selfie. 

 

Practical Details for Cultural Travelers

 

To see these traditions in action, you have to time your flights perfectly. Easter weekend is best for the kites, late May is best for the parades, and early August is best for the cricket and raft-ups. 

 

Check the official dates on my Bermuda Events calendar before booking. Remember that public buses switch to very limited Sunday/Holiday schedules during these festivals. Renting a scooter or an electric microcar is your best bet for getting around independently. 

 

Alternatives: If You Miss the Holidays

 

If you are visiting in October or February, you will miss the major street festivals. However, you can still find pockets of tradition. 

 

During the summer months, you can see the Gombey dancers perform at Harbour Nights on Front Street every Wednesday evening. Year-round, you can experience the island's British roots by booking a formal Afternoon Tea at major resorts like the Hamilton Princess Hotel. 

 

Related Articles

 

 

1) Bermuda People and Culture 

 

Visitors' Reviews and Comments     Ann Ross  Why do Bermudians hold on to now extinct British etiquette; have they not watched any British TV recently? I plan on visiting next week, but am a jeans and walking shoes type but would like to eat out for dinner and feel comfortable.    I really am at a loss to understand the situation when it seems that most of their visitors are from the U.S.A. Having visited before, I want to see this beautiful island again.    Raj (bermuda-attractions.com)  Most restaurants today accept smart casual dress. So jeans is okay. There are only handful of exceptions which are typically upscale and formal restaurants.

 

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