Explore Nassau / See what lines up

Events & festivals
in Nassau.

An annual tradition is not a confirmed booking for your date. Follow the organizer’s current schedule before making plans; the guides below describe the events, not live availability.

4 places & ideas

Events & festivals places and ideas

Festival gathering with costumed performers, guests and palm trees

Events & festivals Botanical Gardens, Nassau

International Culture, Wine & Food Festival

When it happens

October

Latest verified dates: October 17–18, 2026 (past).

The weekend changes by year. The next edition’s dates have not been verified.

Date source ↗

A food and culture festival at Nassau’s Botanical Gardens, bringing together international flavours and cultural celebrations. Check the programme for the edition you plan to attend.

Check the next announced edition, venue and tickets before arranging your visit.

Participating vendor: 2026 festival announcement ↗
Sailing crew on a Bahamian sloop at sea; photograph bears the JanPehrson.com credit

Events & festivals Venue varies by event

Nassau sailing & regattas

When it happens

November–December · Best of the Best

Past example: December 4–7, 2025.

This card covers several sailing events. There is no single annual date; confirm the specific Nassau race and year.

Date source ↗

Watch traditional Bahamian sloop racing at Nassau events such as the Best of the Best Regatta at Montagu Bay. Other regattas have their own calendars and may take place on different islands.

Confirm the island, date and spectator arrangements with the current organizer.

Government regatta calendar ↗
Bahamas Carnival participants in purple feathered costumes at a street parade

Events & festivals Nassau — venues vary

Bahamas Carnival

When it happens

May or June · varies by edition

Traditionally early May; the organizer listed June 4–10 for 2025 (past).

There is no fixed annual date range. The organizer’s current schedule lists no upcoming events.

Date source ↗

A Nassau celebration with colourful costumes, music, parties and a road march. Individual events have their own venues, tickets and participation arrangements.

Check the organizer’s next announced programme before booking tickets or travel.

Bahamas Carnival: event schedule ↗
Junkanoo musicians in colourful feathered costumes playing brass and percussion instruments

Events & festivals Bay Street, downtown Nassau

Junkanoo

When it happens

December & January

Traditional dates: December 26 (Boxing Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day).

Parades run overnight and can start the preceding evening. Confirm each year’s start time, route and seating.

Date source ↗

A Bahamian celebration of music, dance and elaborate costumes. Nassau’s major holiday parades bring groups to Bay Street to compete through music, performance and costume design.

Traditional dates describe the celebration; confirm the exact edition, start time and ticketing before planning your visit.

Bahamas tourism: Junkanoo ↗

Make it fit your port day

A little planning goes a long way.