There are a great many events and festivals held throughout the year in Bermuda. So, no matter what time one visits there is sure to be something interesting to see. The majority of the events and festivals of Bermuda are held during the tourist season, from May to October.

The Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts has been held annually since 1976 over a three month period from January until March. The festival is part of Bermuda’s cultural tradition. Initially, it focused on music but now covers a diverse range of performing arts from world-renowned artists.

The Bermuda Beach Art Festival has been held annually in March since 2012. Artists use rakes to create art on the beach without chemicals or paint. The headquarters of the festival is Horseshoe Bay Beach. All residents and tourists can enter the competition for free and admission to the festival is also free.

Also held annually in March or April is the Bermuda International Film Festival. BIFF was first launched in 1997 and today is the qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award. Currently, over 90 films are screened in four separate theatres in a one-week period.

The Kite Festival is held in Bermuda on Good Friday each year at Horseshoe Bay Beach. Bermudians make and fly kites of various shapes and sizes. There is a competition with awards for kites such as biggest, smallest, best-looking, ugliest, and so on. There is also live music and entertainment at this festival.

The Bermuda Annual Exhibition is a three-day event held in April. It is held in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens and draws over 20,000 visitors yearly. It is similar to a country fair and showcases Bermuda’s traditions such as woodcraft, kite-making, culinary arts, horticulture, livestock, fruits, and vegetables. There are ribbons awarded to exhibitors who compete in various categories in the show.

Bermuda Day is a public holiday that is usually celebrated on May 24th in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday. The grand Bermuda Day Parade is held in the capital city of Hamilton. An annual half-marathon is also held on this day. For most Bermudians, this day signifies the beginning of summer.

Bermuda Nights are held twice a month from June to October on Saturdays. It is held in the capital city of Hamilton at Barr’s Bay Park. The event features the best local talent performing music and dance. Food is also available for purchase. Admission is free to all.

The Bermuda Cricket Cup Match is played at the end of July or the beginning of August annually over a two-day period. This is the biggest event on the island and both days are official holidays called Emancipation Day and Somers’ Day. Approximately 15,000 spectators gather in the stadium alone.

Also held on Emancipation Day is the very popular Bermuda BeachFest at Horseshoe Bay Beach. There is no admission fee for the festival. It’s a giant beach festival featuring activities such as tug-o-war, football, beach volleyball, and so forth. There are also performances by local talents and bands. Food concessions are available as are alcoholic drinks at cash bars. It’s a fantastic family-friendly event.