2009 Calendar of Special Events

Bermuda offers a wide variety of cultural and sporting events throughout the year. These events tend to vary according to the season. For example, yachting events tend to take place early in the summer before hurricanes threaten, while golf tournaments are generally planned for the winter months when the weather is cooler. The list that follows includes annual events and holidays.

January
Bermuda Festival
Bank of Butterfield Bermuda Race
Regimental Musical Display
KidFest
Bermuda International 10K and Fitness Walk
Bermuda International Marathon and Half Marathon
Bermuda Senior Golf Classic
Bermuda Regional Bridge Tournament

February
Bermuda Festival
Golden Rendezvous Month
KidFest
Bermuda International Open Chess Tournament
Bermuda Valentine's Mixed Foursomes Invitational (Golf)
Regimental Musical Display
Lobster Pot Invitational Pro-Amateur Golf Tournament
Bermuda Rendezvous Bowling Tournament
Spittal Pond Children's Nature Walk

March
Bermuda Horse and Pony Association Spring Show
Regimental Musical Display
Bermuda Men's Amateur Championship (Golf)
Championship Cat Show
Bermuda International Film Festival (March 20-28) - See over 70 films during this 9-day event
Hasty Pudding Theatricals (March 26-28)

April
Palm Sunday Walk - Guided mystery tour organised by Bermuda National Trust
Bermuda Kite Festival - Festive family event at Horseshoe Bay
Bermuda Mixed Foursomes Golf Championship
XL Bermuda Open Tennis Championship
Peppercorn Ceremony - A Masonic Lodge pageant held in St George that dates back to 1816
Annual Agricultural Exhibition
International Race Week (Yachting)
Open Badminton Tournament
Open Houses and Gardens Tours
All Bermuda Tennis Club Open
Spring Into the Arts (April 15-22) - showcase of dance, music, theatre and visual arts

May
Heritage Month - a month-long celebration of Bermuda's history and culture, featuring a variety of arts & craft demonstrations, tours, lectures, films, food, music and more.
Bermuda Day -- a public holiday, originally to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday, then called "Empire Day" after her death, now the highlight of Heritage Month and official start of the Bermudian swim and Dinghy racing season; celebrated with a road race and parade.
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms. On May 2nd the ceremony is at King's Square in St. George's; on May 30th it is on Front Street in Hamilton.

June
President's Choice Open-Air Pops Concert
Bermuda Amateur Stroke Play
Championship for Ladies and Men (Golf)
BLTA Heineken Open (Tennis)
Jackson School of Performing Arts, Music and Drama Recitals
Queen's Birthday - a public holiday celebrated with a great military parade on Front Street.
Bermuda Ocean Race (even years)
Newport Bermuda Yacht Race - Sponsored jointly by the Cruising Club of America (CCA) and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), the 635 nautical mile race draws yachts and crews from all over the world for the biennial (on the even year) "thrash to the Onion Patch".
Bermuda Cruising Rally
Gibbons Ironkids Triathlon
Power Boat Racing
Fitted Dinghy Racing
Senior National Triathlon Championship
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms.

July
International Light Tackle Tournament
Power Boat Racing
Fitted Dinghy Races
National Duathlon Championship
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms.

August
Huw Morris Memorial Challenge Duathalon
Non-Mariners Race
Bermuda Billfish Tournament
Emancipation Day - the 1st day of the Annual Cup Match Classic, a cricket match between the Somerset Cricket Club and St. George’s Cricket Club (and a public holiday)
Somers Day - the 2nd day of the Annual Cup Match Classic (and another public holiday)
Coral Beach Club Junior (Tennis)
Flybridge Tackle Junior Tournament
Round-the-Island Race (Power Boats)
Fitted Dinghy Races
BLTA Junior Open (Tennis)
National Dance Theatre of Bermuda's Production (odd years)
Bermuda Civic Ballet Performance
SOCA Tatie Night
Sunset Jazz Dinner Cruise
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms.

September
Labour Day - public holiday in honor of unions and workers.
Fitted Dinghy Races
Power Boat Racing
Island Tennis Promotions/GBTC Open
Autumn Members Art Show
Island Jam! (Concert)
Bank of Bermuda Triathlon (Team and Individual)
Bermuda Horse and Pony Association Fall Show
Merrill Lynch Shoot-Out (Golf)
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms.

October
All Bermuda Tennis Club
Bermuda Ladies Amateur Championship (Golf)
Bermuda National Match Sailing Championships
Columbus Day Weekend International Team Racing (Yachting)
Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta
Power Boat Racing
Pomander Gate Tennis Club Tournament
Brutt Gold Cup International Match Race Championship
Championship Cat Show
Bermuda International Open Golf Championship for Men
Bermuda Masters International Golf Classic
PGA Grand Slam - This golf tournament features the winners of the four major PGA championships. Held at the Mid Ocean Club for the first time this year.
Beating Retreat Ceremonies - twice a month from May through October, there is a procession, which rotates between the City of Hamilton, the town of St. George's and the Royal Naval Dockyard, of the Bermuda Regiment and Marching Band adorned in full military uniforms.

November
Convening of Parliament
Guy Fowkes Night - See the traditional burning of the Guy Fawkes effigy, plus enjoy music, food and fireworks at the Royal Navy Dockyard.
Remembrance Day - public holiday honoring Bermuda's war veterans with a parade in Hamilton plus the closing of most stores, banks and government offices.
World Rugby Classic
Bermuda All Breed Dog Shows and Obedience Trials
Bermuda Four Ball Championship for Ladies and Men (Golf)
Bermuda Lawn Tennis Club Invitational
Regimental Musical Display
Coral Beach Club Invitational (Tennis)
Bermuda Ballet Association Production
BSOA Members Show (Art)
International Show Jumping Competition

December
Annual Christmas Walkabout - herald the season by taking a stroll through historic St. George. Alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas, many of the historic buildings and properties are open to the public. Enjoy musical entertainment, historic readings, Christmas goodies and much more -- all for free.
Bermuda Regimental Music Display - a free musical event performed in Hamilton by the Band and Corps of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment along with the Bermuda Island Pipe Band and their lady dancers.
Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade - the Hamilton Harbour event features boats of all sizes decorated with brilliant festive lights and decorations.
Santa Comes to BAMZ - Join jolly old St. Nick and Kiesha the Mermaid at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo for fun games, animal talks and feeding, and refreshments.
Boxing Day - a public holiday originally based on the British custom of thanking servants with boxes of game and goodies, now celebrated with the Gombeys dance, and motor and horse races.
St. George's New Year's Eve Celebration (Dec. 31st) - Ring in the New Year in King's Square with this annual celebration. Festivities include live band performances, a fireworks display and the lowering of the onion. Phone 441-297-1532 for details.

Want to have your event listed on our calendar? Please contact us with a complete description of the event including its date and location, and your contact information.

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