Calendar of Events

For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world. To find out more on specific events, you can contact your local Bahamas Tourist Office, call tel. 800/BAHAMAS (224-2627), or go online to www.bahamas.com or http://eventguide.com/Bahamas.

January

Junkanoo. This Mardi Gras-style festival begins 2 or 3 hours before dawn on New Year's Day. Throngs of cavorting, costumed figures prance through Nassau, Freeport/Lucaya, and the Out Islands. Jubilant men, women, and children wear elaborate headdresses and festive apparel as they celebrate their African heritage with music and dance. Mini-Junkanoos, in which visitors can participate, are regular events. Local tourist offices can advise the best locations to see the festivities.

New Year's Day Sailing Regatta, Nassau and Paradise Island. Three dozen or more sailing sloops, ranging from 5 to 8.5m (16-28 ft.), converge off Montagu Bay in a battle for bragging rights. For information, call tel. 242/394-0445.

Bahamas Wahoo Championship, Berry Islands. Anglers try to bait one of the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds up to 70 mph. For information, call tel. 954/456-1840 or visit www.bahamaswahoo.com. Mid-January.

February

Mid-Winter Wahoo, Bimini. The Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina draws Hemingway look-alikes and other anglers to this winter event that is heavily attended by Floridians. For more information, call tel. 800/737-1007 or contact the tournament director at the Bimini Tourist Office (tel. 242/347-3529). Early February.

Farmer's Cay Festival. This festival is a rendezvous for yachtsmen cruising the Exuma Islands and a homecoming for the people of Farmer's Cay, Exuma. Boat excursions depart Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau for the festival at 8pm on Friday and then return to Nassau at 8pm on Saturday from the Farmer's Cay Dock. For information, contact Terry Bain in Little Farmer's Cay, Exuma, at tel. 242/355-4006, or the Exuma Tourist Office at tel. 242/336-2430. First Friday and Saturday in February.

March

Bacardi Billfish Tournament, Freeport/Lucaya. This weeklong tournament attracts the who's who of deep-sea fishing. Headquarters is the Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club. For more information, call tel. 242/373-9090 or visit www.portlucayamarina.com. Mid-March.

April

Family Island Regatta, George Town, Exumas. These celebrated boat races, featuring Bahamian craft sloops, are held in Elizabeth Harbour. There's also a variety of onshore activities, including basketball, a skipper's party, and a Junkanoo parade. Call tel. 242/336-2430 or check out www.nationalfamilyislandregatta.com for exact dates and information. Usually third week of April.

Bahamas Billfish Championship. This annual event is divided into four competitions, taking place at four different venues and times, spanning April to June. Anglers can fish any and all of the tournaments taking place at Marsh Harbour (third week of Apr), Harbour Island (first week of May), Spanish Cay (mid-May), and Treasure Cay (first week to second week of June). Since dates vary, contact championship headquarters (tel. 866/920-5577 or 954/920-5577; www.bahamasbillfish.com) for exact details. April through June.

Bahamas White Marlin Open, Abacos. This rendezvous off Abaco draws anglers seeking an action-packed billfish tournament. The headquarters is the Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina. Dates vary, so for more information call tel. 800/275-2260 or 954/920-7877, or visit www.bahamaswhitemarlinopen.com.

May

Long Island Regatta, Salt Pond, Long Island. This annual 4-day event sees some 40 to 50 sailing sloops from throughout The Bahamas compete in three classes for trophies and cash prizes. Onshore, dancing to indigenous rake 'n' scrape music, sporting events, and local food specialties for sale make for a carnival-like atmosphere. For more information, call tel. 242/394-1535. Late May or June.

June

Eleuthera Pineapple Festival, Gregory Town, Eleuthera. This celebration devoted to the island's succulent pineapple features a Junkanoo parade, craft displays, dancing, a pineapple recipe contest, tours of pineapple farms, and a "pineathalon" -- a .5km (1/3-mile) swim, 5.5km (3 1/2-mile) run, and 6.5km (4-mile) bike ride. For more information, call tel. 242/332-2142. First week of June.

Junkanoo Summer Festival. Although the major Junkanoo celebrations take place on Boxing Day (Dec 26) and New Year's Day, a more touristy 2-month event is now held in the summer. For details on the festivities that take place on Exuma, Eleuthera, and various other islands, contact your local Bahamas Tourist Office. June and July.

Bahamas Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla. Boating enthusiasts and yachters make the 1-day crossing from Florida to The Bahamas (Port Lucaya's marina on Grand Bahama Island) in a flotilla of boats guided by a lead boat. All "flings" depart from the Bahia Mar Resort & Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call tel. 800/327-7678 or 954/236-9292. End of June to beginning of August.

July

Regatta Time in Abaco, Marsh Harbour. This weeklong regatta features a series of sailboat races in the Sea of Abaco. Onshore festivities include nightly entertainment, cocktail parties, beach picnics, cultural activities, and a grand finale party. For registration forms and information, call Ruth Saunders (tel. 242/367-3202) or check out www.regattatimeinabaco.com. Early July.

Independence Week. Independence celebrations are marked throughout the islands by festivities, parades, and fireworks. It all culminates on Independence Day. July 10.

Cat Island Regatta, Southern Bahamas. Sleepy Cat Island comes alive during this weekend of festive events, including sloop races, live rake 'n' scrape bands, quadrille dancing, old-fashioned contests and games, and local cuisine. Contact the Regatta Desk at tel. 242/502-0600 in Nassau. Late July or early August.

August

Emancipation Day. The first Monday in August commemorates the emancipation of slaves in 1834. A highlight of this holiday is an early morning Junkanoo Rushout, starting at 4am in Fox Hill Village in Nassau, followed by an afternoon of cookouts, cultural events such as climbing a greased pole, and the plaiting of the Maypole. First Monday in August.

September

All Abaco Regatta. Local sailing sloops rendezvous at Treasure Cay Harbour for a series of championship races and onshore festivities. Contact the Regatta Desk in Nassau at tel. 242/502-0600 or in Abaco at tel. 242/367-3067. Late September.

October

Discovery Day. The New World landing of Christopher Columbus, traditionally said to be on the island of San Salvador, is celebrated throughout The Bahamas. Naturally, San Salvador has a parade every year on October 12.

North Eleuthera Regatta. Native sailing sloops take to the waters of North Eleuthera, Harbour Island, and Spanish Wells in a weekend of championship races. For information, contact the Eleuthera Tourist Office at tel. 242/332-2142. Mid-October.

Great Bahamas Seafood & Heritage Festival, Heritage Village, Arawak Cay, Nassau. A cultural affair, this festival showcases authentic Bahamian cuisine, traditional music, and storytelling. For more information, exact times, and a schedule of events, contact the Ministry of Tourism at tel. 242/302-2000.

November

Guy Fawkes Day. Nighttime parades through the streets are held on many of the islands, culminating in the hanging and burning of Guy Fawkes, an effigy of the British malefactor who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in London. It usually takes place around November 5, but check with island tourist offices. The best celebrations are in Nassau.

Bimini Big Game Fishing Club All Wahoo Tournament. Anglers take up the tough challenge of baiting one of the fastest fishes in the ocean. Headquarters is the Bimini Sands Resort & Marina. For information, call tel. 242/373-3500 or visit www.bahamaswahoo.com. Mid-November.

One Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival. This annual 3-day celebration is staged in both Nassau and Paradise Island to celebrate national unity. Highlights include concerts featuring top Bahamian performing artists, "fun walks," and other activities. For details, contact the Nassau/Paradise Island Ministry of Tourism at tel. 242/302-2000. Last week of November.

December

Junkanoo Boxing Day. High-energy Junkanoo parades and celebrations are held throughout the islands on December 26. Many of these activities are repeated on New Year's Day. December 26.