What is Bermuda Day?
Bermuda Day, widely considered the first day of summer, is now celebrated on the fourth Friday in May. Locals line the streets to enjoy a vibrant celebration beginning with a half-marathon derby followed by a colourful parade winding through Hamilton full of music, culture, and patriotic pride. The first Bermuda Day Parade was held in 1979 and remains a steadfast celebration featuring dance groups, bands, majorettes, decorated floats, and Gombey troupes. Traditional floats harken back to the Easter Parade using natural materials, while new categories have been introduced to highlight modern art and the creative ingenuity of Bermudian float-builders. The competition between floats is fierce, as they compete for prizes in a variety of categories. Hundreds of people dance in the streets as the enticing Gombey rhythm carries them forward, united as Bermuda.
Bermuda Day is the culminating event of Heritage Month. For more information on the history of Bermuda Day and Heritage Month click here.
For a full schedule of Heritage Month events, click here.
Bermuda Day 2024 Theme: Culture = Energy
Friday, May 24, 2024
The nature of culture is that it continues to evolve and grow, and Bermudian people infuse ours with excitement. We seamlessly blend our roots with new traditions, and add cultural elements to everyday life. Our ability to generate this endless cultural energy is why at a sports event, part of the excitement is in the spectators fashions, the intricacy of a camp set-up. It is why when our athletes compete in sports internationally, the whole island stops and becomes heated experts at the rules, no matter how new to us. We are fiercely proud of our teams – whether that be Cup Match, football, or “Cunny” Games – and show the same level of enthusiasm when we see majorettes, dancers, and hear the rumble of the Gombey drums. No matter how heated the community banter grows over the best goal, the nicest dive off peak, the cleanest shank dank there is a common dream we all share that imagines a Bermuda of possibilities, a land of endless opportunities to be better.There is something about the Bermudian culture that urges you to leap to your feet and cheer, dance, and bring the energy – so grab your airhorns, it’s Heritage Month! Bermp bermp!
Bermuda Day Parade 2024 Route:
Parade will begin on Front Street in front of the Point House/Albuoy’s Point area and continue along Front Street. The parade then turns left onto Court Street, takes a left onto Church Street, a right along Cedar Avenue, and ends at Marsh Folly Road/Dutton Avenue junction.
Bermuda Day 2024 Booklet:
Please check back closer to the date for the Bermuda Day 2024 Booklet (PDF) with times, entries, and full details!