11 Best Performing Arts Venues in Bahamas

Every summer a party crowd gathers for The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association's annual swim race and daylong beach bash. Grand Bahama residents of all ages swim the sea in honor and support of BASRA's volunteer force, who in conjunction with The Bahamas Defense Force and the U.S. Coast Guard help people in distress. Live music, food and drink tents, and a bikini-friendly, end-of-summer party atmosphere make this a memorable event.

This festival celebrating Deep Creek's cultural heritage, featuring live Rake 'n' Scrape performances, takes place in June in Rock Sound.

The George Town Cruising Regatta in February is 10 days of festivities, including sailing, a conch-blowing contest, dance, food and entertainment, and sports competitions.

Goombay Summer Festival—traditional summertime parties with dance troupes, musical groups, and lots of local food and crafts—takes place in Marsh Harbour.

Sailing sloops from throughout the country meet in July for various sailing races, and crowd-pleasing favorite, the sculling competition. Onshore festivities take place at Smith's Point and include Junkanoo parades, dancing, live music, and food and drink.

This annual celebration happens in Rock Sound and on Harbour Island on December 26. Celebrations start around 7 pm.

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.

In April the National Family Islands Regatta is the Bahamas' most important yachting event. Starting the race in Elizabeth Harbour in George Town, island-made wooden sloops compete for trophies. Onshore, the town is a weeklong riot of Junkanoo parades, Goombay music, and arts-and-crafts fairs.

One of the oldest and most important traditions in The Bahamas, the National Island Family Regatta brings together sailors and families during the last weekend in April.

Each October this regatta provides five days of exciting competition of Bahamian Class A, B, and C boats. Onshore activities based on Harbour Island include live bands, Bahamian music, cultural shows, food, and drink.

Regattas in The Abacos is a fun-filled 10-day event held in late June or early July, stretching over several islands, with races and plenty of onshore parties.