Bermuda has ten public holidays throughout the year. Some, such as Bermuda Day and Cup Match (Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day), are unique to the island.
On public holidays, all government, banks, and business offices and some restaurants and shops are closed. Buses and ferries run a limited service.
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is usually observed the following Monday.
Bermuda’s national holidays uniquely blend British tradition, African heritage, and local culture. While some holidays like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Christmas are common worldwide, others are distinctly Bermudian. Cup Match, for example, is a two-day cricket celebration that is not found elsewhere. Bermuda Day is similar to carnival celebrations in Caribbean nations but has a distinct flavour.
Unlike the US, Bermuda doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Independence Day, reflecting its status as a British Overseas Territory with a strong cultural identity.
Visitors to Bermuda can actively participate in many holiday celebrations. During Cup Match, tourists can join locals at the cricket grounds to watch the game, enjoy local cuisine, and participate in Crown and Anchor, a popular gambling game. On Bermuda Day, visitors can line the streets of Hamilton to watch the vibrant parade featuring colourful floats, traditional Gombey dancers, and local music.
Official holidays in Bermuda are enshrined in law by the Public Holidays Act 1947.
2024 Holidays
The table below shows all public holidays in Bermuda in 2024:
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1 2024 | |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 29 2024 | |
| Bermuda Day | Friday, May 24 2024 | |
| National Heroes’ Day | Monday, June 17 2024 | |
| Emancipation Day (Cup Match) | Thursday, August 1 2024 | |
| Mary Prince Day (Cup Match) | Friday, August 2 2024 | |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 2 2024 | |
| Remembrance Day | Monday, November 11 2024 | |
| Christmas Day | Wednesday, December 25 2024 | |
| Boxing Day | Thursday, December 26 2024 |
2025 Holidays
A list of public holidays in 2025 can be found below:
| Holiday | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, January 1 2025 | |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 18 2025 | |
| Bermuda Day | Friday, May 23 2025 | |
| National Heroes’ Day | Monday, June 16 2025 | |
| Emancipation Day (Cup Match) | Thursday, July 31 2025 | |
| Mary Prince Day (Cup Match) | Friday, August 1 2025 | |
| Labour Day | Monday, September 1 2025 | |
| Remembrance Day | Tuesday, November 11 2025 | |
| Christmas Day | Thursday, December 25 2025 | |
| Boxing Day | Friday, December 26 2025 |
New Year
New Year’s Eve street parties are held in Hamilton and St George. The celebration in St George features a firework display and a Bermuda onion drop, the island’s take on the famous ball drop held at New York’s Times Square.
On New Year’s Day, Gombey troupes dance around the neighbourhoods.
Good Friday
On Good Friday, many Bermudians like to spend the day at the beach, fly traditional Bermuda kites, and eat fish cakes and hot cross buns.
The biggest event is the Good Friday Bermuda Kite Festival at Horseshoe Bay. It features kite-flying contests, Gombey dancing, live music, and more. Admission is free.
Bermuda Day
Bermuda Day starts the island’s summer season and is when many islanders take their first dip in the ocean.
The Bermuda Day Parade is the major event of the day. A colourful parade of Gombeys, majorettes, and community floats winds its way along the streets of Hamilton. Competition for the best viewing spots is fierce. Many families arrive hours before the parade begins to claim the prime spaces on Front Street.
Bermuda Day was previously known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day.
National Heroes’ Day
National Heroes’ Day in Bermuda, observed on the third Monday in June, is a relatively recent addition to the public holiday calendar.
Established in 2008, it replaced the former Queen’s Birthday holiday, signifying a shift towards honouring local figures who have shaped Bermuda’s history and society. The holiday celebrates individuals who have significantly contributed to the island’s development and progress across various fields, such as politics, civil rights, arts, sports, and community service.
The selection of National Heroes involves public nominations and careful consideration by a government-appointed committee. Criteria for selection include:
- Making a lasting contribution to Bermuda.
- Demonstrating excellence in their field.
- Enriching the lives of others.
- Contributing to the overall betterment of Bermudian society.
Bermuda has recognized several national heroes, including Dame Lois Browne-Evans (the first black woman MP), Sir Edward Trenton Richards (the first Premier of Bermuda), Sir Henry Tucker (the founder of the United Bermuda Party), Dr. Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon (MP and civil rights activist), Sir John Swan (the fourth Premier of Bermuda), Gladys Morrell (suffragette leader), and Mary Prince.
Cup Match – Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day
Cup Match is one of Bermuda’s most significant and eagerly anticipated holidays. It combines historical commemoration with sporting tradition. This two-day event, celebrated Thursday and Friday before the first Monday in August, encompasses Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day.
Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, which occurred on August 1, 1834. This day holds profound importance for Bermudians, particularly those of African descent, as it represents the end of a dark chapter in the island’s history and the beginning of a journey towards equality and freedom.
In 2020, a significant change was made to the Cup Match holiday. The second day of the holiday, previously known as Somers’ Day, was renamed Mary Prince Day. This change came about through passing legislation in the Bermuda Parliament, reflecting a shift in how Bermuda chooses to commemorate its history.
Somers’ Day had been named after Sir George Somers, the founder of Bermuda, who shipwrecked on the island in 1609. The decision to replace Somers’ Day with Mary Prince Day was part of a broader movement to acknowledge and honour figures who played crucial roles in Bermuda’s journey towards equality and human rights.
Mary Prince Day honours Mary Prince, a Bermudian-born woman who became an iconic figure in the abolitionist movement. Her autobiography, The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave, published in 1831, was the first account of the life of an enslaved black woman to be published in the United Kingdom. This day recognizes her contribution to the abolition of slavery and her role as a symbol of resistance and resilience.
At the heart of Cup Match is a spirited cricket game between two of Bermuda’s prominent cricket clubs: Somerset Cricket Club from the west end and St. George’s Cricket Club from the east end. This rivalry dates back to 1902 and has become an integral part of Bermudian culture. The cricket match is not just a sporting event but a social occasion that brings together Bermudians from all walks of life.
Cup Match is characterized by vibrant celebrations across the island. Beaches and parks are filled with families and friends enjoying picnics, swimming, and various outdoor activities. The holiday is also marked by music, dance, and traditional Bermudian foods. Many people wear the colours of their favourite team.
Cup Match is not only a cultural celebration but also has significant economic implications. It’s a busy time for tourism, with many visitors coming to experience this unique Bermudian tradition. Local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, often see increased activity during this period.
Labour Day
Labour Day in Bermuda is celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a day dedicated to honouring the contributions of workers and the labour movement. While it is a public holiday, it is also marked by various events organized by trade unions and community groups. These events often include parades, speeches, and gatherings that highlight the importance of workers’ rights and the achievements of the labour movement in Bermuda.
The day allows Bermudians to reflect on the progress made in labour rights and advocate for continued improvements in working conditions.
Remembrance Day
Bermuda’s fallen are remembered at the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony in Hamilton. The Bermuda Regiment Band and surviving war veterans march down Front Street to the Cenotaph.
Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, hundreds of expatriate residents don bathing attire and Santa hats and head for Elbow Beach in Paget Parish.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a public holiday in Bermuda that follows Christmas Day. Traditionally, it was a day when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts from their employers, known as Christmas boxes.
In modern times, Boxing Day in Bermuda is a time for relaxation and enjoyment with family and friends. The holiday provides a chance to unwind after the festive celebrations of Christmas Day.
