Bermuda holidays

Bermuda Carnival, formerly known as ‘Bermuda Heroes Weekend’, is an annual event held on the third weekend in June in Bermuda and it is one of the newest, but fastest growing carnivals around the world. There is a series of musical events in Hamilton area across the weekend that pulls in crowds for all over the island.

Throughout the year, and especially on Boxing Day, you will see Bermuda’s iconic ‘Gombey’ troupes parading and dancing down the streets. This tradition dates to at least the early 1800s and is a dazzling blend of African, Native American, Caribbean, and British cultures. This tradition features bright costumes and intriguing masks on both the dancers and the drummers. Steelpan, Bagpipe and Calypso music are also played, and this occurs during the summer nights mainly in Hamilton’s Harbour, as well as on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and Bermuda Day, in May.

In Bermuda, there is a mix of British, American, African, Portuguese, and West Indian influences on cuisine. Overall, it is a very healthy island diet – and fast food is barely yet to touch the shores of Bermuda, aside from a KFC. But, with delicious delicacies, mouth-watering seafood, and tasty drink, you wouldn’t want any fast food anyway. From snowballs which are crushed ice and syrup with fruit flavours, to keep you cool in the hot temperatures, to Bermuda’s own spin on fish chowder with sherry peppers and a dash of black seal rum, there will be something that not only surprises you but dances on your tastebuds! There are some traditional Bermudian meals on the menu too, including a common breakfast of codfish and potatoes with either hard-boiled eggs or in tomato sauce (Portuguese way), and Pawpaw casserole and for pudding, a common dessert is Horton’s rum cake.

There is also British pub food, at places such as the Frog & Onion Pub in the Dockyard, and the Hog Penny pub on Front Street in Hamilton – both feature the popular ‘bangers and mash’, and Sunday roasts. While New York super chef Marcus Samuelsson has opened a restaurant in the former ballroom of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club on Hamilton Harbour, which features original art pieces by Andy Warhol and Nelson Mandela, and serves classic American favourites including buttermilk fried chicken, steaks, and burgers.

For the history buffs, in Southampton, the Waterlot Inn is a slice of history that dates back to the early 20th Century and has seen notable guests including Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Twain and others. It’s by the dock in Jew’s Bay and serves steak and wine among other things.

For other cuisine, such as Italian, head to Little Venice in Hamilton, which was Bermuda’s first Italian restaurant and does fine dining Italian style. Ee highly recommend the filled pasta!

Fancy a mouth-watering drink, look no further than Bermuda’s very own signature drink known as the Rum swizzle, found mainly in the Swizzle Inn. This delicious drink includes coconut rum, pineapple juice and orange juice and is stirred with a swizzle stick. Other popular drinks include the ‘Dark ‘n’ Stormy, Devils Isle Coffee and common juices. The English style pubs offer beer too, and the Dockyard Brewing Co. in the Frog & Onion pub is the island's only microbrewery, so definitely check it out if you have the chance!

Baritt’s Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer has been the island’s favourite soft drink since 1874! Enjoy it on its own, or mix it with your choice of rum, beer, or other spirits.

Of course, Bermuda wouldn’t be without its rum, including Gold and Black rum!

There are several rugby clubs on the island, as well as a national cricket team. There are match days during the summer with an atmosphere like bank holiday weekends. Somerset team on the west of Bermuda and St George’s from the east have been rivals since 1902 and always makes for a good game! Celebrations usually include festivals and parties afterward!

Shopping can be a fun experience in Bermuda, with around 20 shops in the Clocktower Mall in the old Dockyard. Most shops offer duty free goods and promote work from the Bermuda Clayworks pottery, Dockyard glassworks and the Lisa-Anne Rego Gallery. In Bermuda Craft Market in the Dockyard, local artisans sell souvenirs. Another popular shopping mall is the Washington Mall found in the centre of Hamilton and is home to more than 50 shops and stands.

There is also the Lili Bermuda perfumer on Queen Street in St George if you want the scent of Barbuda, or you can take a class with Isabelle and make your own!

Somers Wharf in St Georges is a range of waterfront boutique-style shops selling clothes, jewellery, and other crafty creations. This is a lovely historical location where you’ll find the old coal sheds, a longhouse and hunter building. Alexandra Mosher Studio is a jeweller that sells gorgeous jewellery using the island’s iconic pink sand and Bermuda inspired shapes and patterns.

Finally, there is an English sports shop on Front Street, Hamilton, and other branches dotted all over the island, and have been open since 1918. This is where you’ll be able to purchase the iconic, original Bermuda shorts.