Festivals and celebrationsNorth America
Bermuda Day
A public holiday in Bermuda marking the start of summer activities with a parade and road race.
Bermuda Day is a national public holiday celebrated on the fourth Friday in May. Residents mark the occasion by wearing shorts to work and entering the sea for the first time of the year. The day features a parade in Hamilton and a long-distance road race that draws large crowds of spectators along the route.
When is Bermuda Day kept?
Bermuda Day is kept on the fourth Friday in May.
Bermuda Day serves as an official public holiday in the islands, falling on the fourth Friday of May. It signals the beginning of the warm season for locals, who traditionally enter the ocean and wear business shorts on this date. The celebration includes a street parade and a popular road race that attracts many viewers.
Seasonal traditions
This holiday marks the start of summer activities for island residents. People traditionally swim in the sea for the first time of the year. Many also take their boats out onto the water after the winter months. A rush occurs to get vessels into the harbor before the holiday begins. Additionally, it is customary for workers to wear Bermuda shorts as formal attire on this specific day, although some people now wear them throughout the year.
Parade and race
The main events include a parade in Hamilton and a road race across the island. Spectators gather along the streets to watch floats and runners. Some fans reserve spots by sleeping overnight or using tape to mark family sections, though roping off areas can cause safety issues. The race route has changed over time. In 2015, it started from St George's and ended in Hamilton, whereas previous years may have had different starting points.
Historical timeline
The parade began in 1979 and was originally held on May 24th or the following Monday if needed. The date shifted several times due to legal changes. In 2017, legislation moved the holiday to the last Friday in May. However, the Governor later adjusted the 2019 date back to May 24th for historical reasons. Final adjustments in 2020 established the current schedule starting in 2021, fixing the holiday on the fourth Friday of May.
How Bermuda Day is kept
Residents celebrate by wearing shorts to work and swimming in the ocean. Boats are launched into the water after winter. Large crowds gather in Hamilton to watch a parade of floats and a road race. Spectators often claim viewing spots along the pavement by marking them with tape or staying overnight.
When and where
It falls on the fourth Friday in May. The date was fixed by law changes in 2020, moving it from the last Friday of the month to this specific position.
The holiday is observed throughout Bermuda. The parade and finish line of the race are located in Hamilton. The race route previously included St George's as a starting point.
What Bermuda Day means
The day represents the transition from winter to summer. It allows people to enjoy outdoor activities like swimming and boating. Wearing shorts to work symbolizes the change in weather and lifestyle. The community gathers to support local events and share the excitement of the season.
Questions people ask about Bermuda Day
When is Bermuda Day kept?
Bermuda Day is kept on the fourth Friday in May.
What is Bermuda Day?
It is a public holiday in Bermuda celebrated on the fourth Friday in May. It marks the start of summer activities and features a parade and road race.
What do people do on this day?
Residents swim in the sea for the first time of the year and wear shorts to work. They also launch boats and watch a parade and road race in Hamilton.
Where is the parade held?
The parade takes place in Hamilton. The road race route has varied, sometimes starting from St George's and ending in Hamilton.
See also
PowwowA communal gathering of dancing, singing and fellowship across Native North America
GombeyA Bermudian masquerade of dance and drumming with African and British roots
Bermuda kiteFlying bright geometric kites on Good Friday across Bermuda to mark Easter
Moko JumbieA stilt-walking tradition from the Caribbean that blends African heritage with local carnival celebrations.Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Bermuda Day", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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