Holiday Calendar for Bermuda

Bermuda is an internally self-governing British overseas territory with a parliamentary government. Bermuda enjoys a high standard of health, as reflected in the average life expectancy.  Help us 

Bermuda stays warm due to the Gulf Stream and has the northernmost coral reefs in the Atlantic. May 24 is also traditionally the day Bermudians first go swimming to celebrate the end of winter.

Bermuda has the only national flag that displays a sinking ship. It represents the 1609 sinking of Sea Venture, which led to the British settlement there.

The wildlife in Bermuda includes the tiny, whistling tree frog which is heard singing at night. Many species of palm trees have been introduced to Bermuda. The only indigenous mammals of Bermuda are five species of bats.

Bermuda has one of the world’s highest population densities. John Lennon had a home there. Virtually all of Bermuda’s larger islands are inhabited, and Main Island has the largest concentration of people. Residents are only allowed by buy one car, and tourists can’t rent cars—they have to use the bus. The economy is based on tourism and offshore insurance companies. There is no corporate income tax, making it a popular tax haven for the ultra wealthy.

The mixture of cultures created some deeply rooted traditions, from the Gombeys dance troupe with their colorful costumes to spicy ginger bread, Dark ‘n Stormies (a rum and ginger beer cocktail that packs a spicy punch), and codfish for breakfast. St. George’s remains the oldest continuously inhabited English town in the Americas. Bermuda has more golf courses per person than any other country.

Bermuda used to export onions. The legend of the onion lives on at New Year’s, where, upon the stroke of midnight, a giant onion, fully decked out in lights and topped with palm tree fronds, is “dropped” from the Town Hall in St. George’s Town Square.

Bermuda’s events and festivals bring out the best of the island. Bermudans celebrate everything, from the founding of the land to old English ceremonies harking back centuries and a decent range of arts events.

In March: The Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship is one of the most exciting events in Bermuda’s golf calendar. The Triple Challenge is three days, three races, more than 75 obstacles and one week of fun.

In April: The Bermuda Agricultural Exhibition is an annual three-day event held at the beautiful Botanical Gardens National Park in Paget Parish. Harbour Nights is the place to be on Wednesday nights in the City of Hamilton from April through early September. The Peppercorn Ceremony is one of those events that makes you feel as though you’ve travelled back in time, with a parade full of officials and dignitaries in full-period garb, horse-drawn carriages, military music and a classic Town Crier narrating the festivities.

In May: The Antigua Bermuda Race, a competing fleet of luxury yachts sets sail from Charlotte, Antigua to Bermuda and her alluring crystal blue waters.