As if mild weather, special deals, tasty holiday food and drink and drink and globally recognized safety protocols aren't enough to lure you to Bermuda, the holiday festivities out here bring about island-style warmth and cheer. From a stroll through a decked-out colonial-era town to a Boxing Day spent dancing to the Gombey beat, here are Bermuda's top holiday season events.
Note: The events shown on this page give you an idea of how we celebrate the Holidays out here, but of course it’s a little different this year, and some events have been cancelled. Yet there are still safe, fun events happening on the island in 2020. Read on to find holiday festivities in Bermuda.
Bermudians love their holiday celebrations. With this round-up of all the island's holiday festivities, you, too, can get in on the merriment.
Rockin' Around the City Tree
November 27, 7-9 pm, Front Lawn, Hamilton City Hall
Can’t fathom a Christmas without taking the little ones to see Santa? Good news: the kids can still share their holiday wish lists with Santa this year, albeit in a socially distanced manor. Plus, get a great photo with the big guy next to Hamilton’s illuminated Christmas Tree.
Christmas Parade
November 29, 5 pm
City of Hamilton (Central)
Head to the City of Hamilton to welcome Jolly Old St. Nick. Watch as Christmas-themed floats, majorettes, dancing Gombey troupes and more travel down the streets of Hamilton before the big man in the red suit makes his long-awaited appearance.
St. George's Christmas Boat Parade
This event has been cancelled for 2020.
The holidays get merry and a lot brighter when dozens of boats decorated with brilliant lights cruise around St. George's Harbour.
Royal Naval Dockyard's Official Tree-Lighting Ceremony
December 8, 6-9 pm
Kick off the holiday season in Dockyard with the 2nd Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony and enjoy performances by local musicians and dancers, in addition to great food, games and so much more.
Sundays at the Frog
December 1, 8, 15 & 22, 5-9 pm
Dockyard (West End)
This weekly holiday street fair on the North Lawn features live entertainment, DJs, games, treats and local vendors. A tree-lighting ceremony, Mistletoe Market and Christmas showcase are all part of the winter edition of Destination Dockyard, the West End’s popular, outdoor event.
Santa's Coming to Town
December 12, 6-8 pm, Town of St. George's
He's making a list. He's checking it twice. That's right: Santa Claus is coming to Town of St. George on Dec. 12 to offer candy and holiday wishes as he drives through during this socially distanced event.
Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout
This event has been cancelled for 2020.
St. George's (East End) During the Town of St. George’s signature holiday event, several homes in the UNESCO World Heritage Site invite the public into their homes, which are complete with lavish seasonal décor and lights. Historical re-enactors roam the candlelit streets and the sound of classic carols can be heard on every corner.
Santa’s Workshop
This event has been cancelled for 2020.
Families will be as busy as elves, taking part in ornament painting, cookie decorating, games and much more. The Bermuda Classic Bike Club Motorcycle Show will also be on display in the Victualling Yard.
Carols with the Dolphins
December 13, 5-6 pm
Dockyard (West End)
Carollers sing the sounds of the season alongside a choreographed dolphin display at Dolphin Quest’s annual concert in the historic Keep, Royal Naval Dockyard.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at St. Peter’s Church
December 24, 9 pm
St. George's (East End)
Experience the hushed majesty of Christmas Eve by candlelight at one of Bermuda’s most evocative houses of worship. The oldest Anglican church in the western hemisphere, St. Peter's was originally built all the way back in 1612 (and still has its communion silver from that period). More than 400 years later, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a traditional service of lessons and carols, bathed in the light of 70 flickering candles.
St. Peter's Church
Christmas on Elbow Beach
December 25, sunrise
Paget's Parish (Central)
Dreaming of a pink-sand Christmas? Hundreds of locals, ex-pats and visitors gather at Elbow Beach in Paget's Parish every year on Christmas day to take in the sunrise, drink champagne and take a plunge in the Atlantic — it may be December, but the water's just fine. While Elbow Beach is large enough to maintain social distancing, if spending Christmas morning on a more secluded stretch of shore if more your thing, check out one of these low-key beaches.
New Year’s Eve on the Square
December 31, 8 pm–1 am
St. George's (East End)
Ring in the New Year in St. George’s! King’s Square will be filled with local food, live entertainment and of course, the famous onion drop. That’s right, New York City has the ball drop. Bermuda has the onion drop!
New's Year's Eve in the City
December 31, 8 pm - 12:30 am City of Hamilton (Central)
