4 Fall Festivals Not to Be Missed in Nassau
It’s the time of year again when we bid farewell to the summer season and in doing so, we also say goodbye to its bounty- pineapples, mangoes, sour sops, passion fruits, guineps, watermelon and all the other special summer treats that delight our tastebuds each year. But, as this season comes to a close, we’ve got a new one to look forward to. To begin with, Fall will bring with it cooler, less humid, and more breezy days. Although we admit that temperatures won’t be dropping as significantly as they will for our our Northern neighbors, we will continue to don our flip flops and shorts nonetheless, but there’s another reason to celebrate the onset of Fall- the array of food and cultural events that characterize this time of year- events which our bellies eagerly anticipate. So as we all say goodbye to summer, let us introduce you to our list of the 4 Top Fall Festivals Not to be Missed- especially if you’re a foodie!
Paradise Plates: “A Night of Culinary Compassion”
Credit: Hands For Hunger
- When: 8pm-12am on Saturday, December 7th, 2019
- Where: Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island
- Contact Info: www.handsforhunger.org or call (242) 327-1660
- Admission: $200 for unlimited food and drink, live entertainment and dancing
Organised by local nonprofit, Hands For Hunger, this unique annual evening features food from the island’s top restaurants, presenting their most prized creations and culinary treasures. Although not a festival per say, Paradise Plates is guaranteed to dish up a hearty dose of gourmet food, stellar wine, beer & cocktail tastings as well as entertainment. Trust us- with over 30 of the island’s top chefs and beverage purveyors under one roof- you’ll end the night with a full belly and happy heart. All proceeds raised go towards the organisation’s continued mission to prevent unnecessary hunger and food waste within the Bahamian community by delivering fresh, surplus food to those who need it most. Get your tickets and start preparing for an awesome evening!
International Cultural Festival
Credit: International Cultural Festival
- When: 10am-7pm on Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th, 2019
- Where: The Botanical Gardens, Chippingham Road
- Contact Info: www.culturefestbahamas.com
- Admission: $10 for adults, $3 for kids under 12
This ever-popular international affair actually originated from the recognition of United Nations Day by The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Serving as a major global platform, the event aims to showcase the food and cultural practices of our diverse international resident community. As a really fun way to explore different cultures, the festival site is divided into “national villages”, with designated food and craft areas from various countries and continents across the world including The Bahamas itself. There’s plenty of other activity beyond food that happens too- a playground area for the kids, live music and a large central stage with cultural performances and competitions happening throughout the each day. The diversity of local food stalls from Cuba to Greece, from China to Guyana and South American, African, European, and Scandinavian countries make you literally feel like you’re traveling the globe! So, take our word for it when we say this event is definitely worth the trip at a fraction of the cost of a world tour. Word to the wise: arrive early!
Bahamas National Trust Wine and Art Festival
Credit: The Bahamas National Trust
- When: 12pm-7pm on Saturday, October 26th & Sunday, October 27th, 2019
- Where: The Retreat, Village Road
- Contact Info: www.bnt.bs
- Admission: $25-$30 for general public, $20 for BNT members
This annual festival is now embarking on its twenty-eighth year, becoming larger and more amazing as the years go by. It features over fifty talented Bahamian artists of diverse backgrounds and specialties, select wines, and food pairing demonstrations hosted by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism‘s Culinary Tourism Division as well as well-known resident chefs. Best of all, the event is hosted on the grounds of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), a quasi-governmental organization which serves to build and manage the national park system of the country. All proceeds go towards preserving and protecting the natural environments of our islands.
Christmas Jollification, Arts & Crafts Festival
Credit: The Bahamas National Trust
- When: 11am-5pm on Friday, November 22nd – Sunday, November 24th, 2019
- Where: The Retreat, Village Road
- Contact Info: www.bnt.bs
- Admission: $10 for adult non-members, $5 for adult BNT members, $3 for kids (age 5-17), free for those under 3.
This family-friendly event serves as the official start of the holiday season here in Nassau, featuring a variety of foods, holiday spirits (the liquid kind), artisan crafts, and a plant nursery- all with a distinctly Christmas flair. Creative gifts like potted orchids, stained glass ornaments, Junkanoo dinnerware, unique shell and driftwood creations, original art, prints and ceramic jewelry from renowned Bahamian artists are just some of the gems on display at Jollification. But, we’ll be honest- it’s truly the food we go for! Our favourites include: conch fritters on the go, lamb gyros from the Greek stall, juicy burgers from the Rotary Truck, a glass of refreshing fever grass iced tea and cups of locally made sorbet. There’s also always a fabulous selection of homemade jams and jellies and yummy baked goods at your fingertips. For the kiddies, they’ll enjoy the always popular face-painting pavilion and nature-themed craft area where little ones can take home their own handmade ornaments for the holiday season.