5 Best Performing Arts in The Southern Out Islands, Bahamas

Growing in popularity (thanks to its Kalik Beer sponsorship), the annual Cat Island Regatta, held on the beach in New Bight over the Emancipation holiday weekend in early August, has parties, live music, games, dancing, and lots of island cooking. Some 30–40 island sloops compete in various classes over three days. Expect some Rake ’n’ Scrape and party music from national and local live entertainers. Games can include dominoes, water relay races, ugliest man, water balloon toss, hula hoop relays, coconut races, and more. Book flights and lodging well in advance.

Though October 12 is now known as National Heroes Day across The Bahamas, it was not too long ago commemorated as "Discovery Day." However, the island of San Salvador continues to recognize the day Christopher Columbus arrived in the new world, since he landed right on one of their beaches. The Discovery Day Homecoming Festival is a week-long event that takes places at various venues across the island, including Graham’s Harbour on the far north of the island and Long Bay, where memorials mark the spot where Columbus landed. Festival days depend on when the public holiday falls, but always include food, drink, craft, a mix of live bands, DJs, and fun games such as sack races, coconut barking, pineapple eating, beer drinking, and a staged cultural dancing show. An evening ecumenical service and gospel concert usually kicks things off while a Beach Bash closes out the festivities.

More oriented to locals and their families, and sponsored by the Morton Salt Company, this homecoming-type heritage festival takes place over the Emancipation holiday weekend in early August. Most activities are in Matthew Town's marketplace, with a Sunday Beach Bash on Farquharson Beach, 8 miles north of the town. Visitors are most welcome and encouraged to join in. Celebrations include an ecumenical church service, gospel choirs, a Junkanoo rush-out, fireworks, live bands, games, and cultural activities, including the plaiting of the maypole and climbing the greasy pole. Along with festival staples, such as barbecued meats and fresh seafood, it's a great chance to savor some of the island's more unusual delicacies, such as spiced souses and baked breads and tarts.

Inagua puts on spirited Junkanoo parades on Boxing Day, December 26, and New Year's Day. Parades start at 4:30 am; you have to make the decision to stay up all night or get up early. There's food at the fish fry at Kiwanis Park in the center of town where the parades end.

The annual Long Island Sailing Regatta, featuring Bahamian-made boats, is a three-day event the first weekend of June. Held in Salt Pond, the regatta is the island's biggest event and The Bahamas' second-largest regatta, attracting competitors from all over the islands. Booths featuring handmade crafts and Bahamian food and drink dot the site, and local bands provide lively entertainment beginning at sundown. Salt Pond is 10 miles south of Simms.