January

01  Annual Junkanoo Parade & Festival
A street fair and spectacular parade of music, dance and costume. Starts 5:00 p.m. in the downtown area of Freeport. For more information, call the Ministry of Tourism at 242-352-8044.

The Carnival Comes To Town
The Carnival brings family fun and excitement; games galore and rides for all levels of expertise. 3:00 p.m. - midnight daily; Saturdays, noon to midnight. Goombay Park

February

Early February  Bahamas Wahoo Championship
Third Leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship, Port Lucaya Marina.  For more information, 242-373-9090

Valentine's Day Weekend
Port Lucaya Marketplace celebration.

March

Late March- April 01 (Dates vary) Annual Spring Break Festival
The festival will be held in the International Bazaar on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Activities will include live music by Bahamian bands, Bahamian food and drink, plaiting of the Maypole, dance and other contests. call 242-352-8044.

April

Mid-April  Annual Pelican Point Coconut Festival
Thousands gather in Pelican Point, East Grand Bahama, for this event that includes three days of Bahamian culture at its best.  It is a time to sample pastries and food made with coconut ingredients, coupled with group activities (climbing the coconut tree contest and water volleyball contest, etc.) weekend starts off with a Fish Fry and Gospel Jamboree on Friday, April 9th.  The opening ceremony and cultural day is on Saturday.  A worship service is held at St. Matthews Baptist Church on Sunday.  The weekend culminates with a cultural day on Monday. participate in the Rake N Scrap, the Junkanoo Experience, Limbo Dancing, Food Tasting, Coconut Barking and Coconut Eating activities. 242-353-5313 or the Ministry of Tourism at 242-352-8044.

Mid-April Annual Marco City Heritage Festival
A special exhibition depicting the history of Marco City highlights the growth and development of the community since its inception.  The Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band, along with the Pop Band, leads the entertainers from throughout Grand Bahama Island and New Providence in an high spirited weekend that will also include old-fashioned rake and scrape.  Saturday's event culminates with the exciting sounds of Junkanoo as local groups combine their goat skins drums, whistles and horns in a Junkanoo rush-out. On Sunday, there is a gospel concert from 2:00 -10:00 p.m.  242-352-8635.

Late April  First Leg Of The Dolphin/Tuna Classic
Trophies and prize money will be awarded for the Heaviest Tuna weighed in during the tournament and also for the Heaviest Dolphin. 242-373-9090 / Fax: 242-373-5884.

May

Mid-May  Second Leg Of The Dolphin/Tuna Classic
Trophies and prize money will be awarded for the Heaviest Tuna weighed in during the tournament and also for the Heaviest Dolphin.  242-373-9090

Late May The Air Tran Airways Grand Bahama Golf Bahama Golf Classic
This is a three-day event held at The Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort. This is a 4-person, best-ball, shotgun start tournament. Golfers receive airfare between Atlanta and the Grand Bahama Island, oceanfront hotel room, 36 holes of golf, all first-class meals and ground transportation. Sponsorships, foursomes and individual player slots are available for this event.

July

04  "Happy Birthday USA" Celebration, Port Lucaya Marketplace

Early-mid-July  Hackers Golf Tournament
Ruby Golf Course, Royal Oasis Resort & Casino. 242-350 7000.

Late July  Holmes Rock Annual Sculling Contest
This event is similar to a regatta and invitations will be extended to all of the islands to participate. 242-352-8044.

August

Early August Freetown's Cha Cha Festival
This annual festival is held in honour of the "Cha Cha," heart of the Thatch (island) palm.  Featured are salads, cakes, hats and tea all made from that versatile item. Also on sale is traditional Bahamian cuisine, including native bread and tarts. Fun and games for the entire family, including a variety of cultural activities considered unique to the people of Freetown.

Annual Bernie Butler Basra Swim Race
Health enthusiasts of all ages compete in the annual two mile swim race at Lucayan Beach. For more information, call 242- 352-9246

Early August  West End Powerboat Race
An exciting weekend of fun with float boat parades, water boat parade and short races leading up to the main race on August 5. For more information, call 242-346-6495.

Early August  Funk Fest Bahamas
An exciting five days of Warm Sun, Beach Parties, Pool Parties, Pajama Parties Bahamian style, Junkanoo rush out, Golfing, concerts, a gospel brunch. Including, three days of overwhelming performances by the best in comedy and funk Music.

Early August  The Family Rendezvous & Bahamas Tourism Fling
This tournament is designed so that parents and grandparents can spend quality time with their children prior to the children going back to school. Every child entering this tournament will be a winner; there will be fishing trophies for all, as well as numerous shore side activities and functions. 242-373-9090 / Fax: 242-373-5884

Mid- August Annual Grand Bahama Island Summer Junkanoo Festival
A street festival with Junkanoo rush-out, local Bahamian bands, People-to-People ring play, Jump N’ Dance, etc. Every Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the International Bazaar. For more information, please call the Ministry of Tourism, at 242-352-8044,

Mid August  Annual Grand Bahama Island Sailing Regatta
Native sailing sloops (17' - 28') converge off Grand Bahama Island in a show down for championship of the seas. On shore festivities at Taino Beach include music, dancing, food stalls and a Junkanoo rush-out. 242-352-8525 or 242-352-8044.

August 21 - December 21  Discovery Festival
The world famous International Bazaar comes alive with the sound of music at the annual Discovery Festival. Each Thursday afternoon for nine weeks, cruise passengers, overnight visitors and residents enjoy the sounds of island music, and the tantalizing aroma of traditional Bahamian foods in the open air, from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Organizers anticipate surprise appearances by VIPs and special friends of Grand Bahama throughout the festival. Live entertainment is scheduled to commence from 2:00pm, provided by local musicians. Dancers, actors and story tellers will be featured in a folklore review and there areperformances by Junkanoo Groups.

September

Early September  Small Boat Tournament
This tournament is for the budget conscious fisherman who owns a small boat. There are two categories, 28’and under and the Open division, 29’ and over. 242-373-9090

Late September

International Coastal Clean-Up
Over eight hundred students help clean up the coastline of Grand Bahama Island. 242-352-8044.

October

Mid October Annual Grand Bahama Island Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival
This annual event, produced by Bill Lockett's Festivals and Travel, is sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, and local hotels.  Indoor and outdoor performances by local and international artists are scheduled from midmorning through late night at several locations throughout Freeport/Lucaya..

December

26  Boxing Day
The day is a traditional English holiday started centuries ago when nobility & landlords boxed leftover Christmas goodies & gave them to servants The party starts at 7:00 p.m., ending with a fantastic Fireworks display at the Count Basie Square.

(242) 373-2485

Destinations include Lucayan and Peterson Cay national parks.  Snorkeling, bicycling, hiking, and birdwatching tours are also available.  Tours depart daily.

Sports

Horseback Riding

Pinetree Stables, off East Sunrise Highway

(242) 373-6000

The stables offer guided two hour trail rides with a weight limit of 200 pounds.

Kayaking

Kayak Native Tours

(242) 373-2485

Destinations include Lucayan and Peterson Cay national parks.  Snorkeling, bicycling, hiking, and birdwatching tours are also available.  Tours depart daily.

Island Sporting Activities

Reef Tours, Beach Parties and traditional water sports and visitor activities are available along with Kayak Nature Tours, UNEXSO scuba dives and the Dolphin Experience, the Perfume Factory, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and the International Bazaar. Sunset Village in Eight Mile Rock Garden of the Groves and the Lucayan National Park are other favorites.

Golf Courses
Grand Bahama Island's four 8-hole PGA rated championship golf courses are located within ten minutes of each other.