The ULTIMATE Bahamas Carnival Fete Weekend Itinerary

If you haven't added Bahamas to this year's carnival schedule...what are you waiting for?

Bahamas Carnival takes place in Nassau, located on the beautiful island of New Providence in the Bahamas. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas and also the largest city. Bahamas Carnival also referred to as Bahamas Carnival Fete Weekend, takes place on the first weekend in June.

Flights

Flying out of LPIA

You are flying into Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA). The airport code is NAS. I would suggest flying in on Wednesday, June 3 (see Events below), but arriving early on Thursday is also a possibility. You definitely do not want to miss J'ouvert on Thursday night (package pick-up ends at 6 PM, event starts at 9 PM), so plan accordingly.

Accommodations

The Bahamas relies heavily on the tourism industry and therefore it is already set up to welcome Carnival tourists with any budget. From luxury villas to camping budget options, Nassau has it all. The most common question we get asked is where should we stay, so that we are close to the fetes and the action? The general downtown area is a good option, as it caters to tourists and cruisers already.

However, renting a car can open up additional options, as everything is a 15-30 minute drive (depending on traffic). Travel sites like Expedia can help you with accommodations, maps, and so on. Airbnb and other local listings are also a great option and a little easier on the budget. There are many amazing options to choose from. As I mentioned earlier, there are options for every preference, budget, and need. If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

Transportation

Henny Transporters

This is always a consideration during a carnival trip, you want to make sure you have reliable and safe transportation. While there is a public transportation system in Nassau, it does not run late, and not conducive to getting you to and from a fete late at night. Taxi services are also available but can be quite costly, with airport runs costing upwards of $50-70USD. There are some private car services available and we work closely with Henny from Henny Transporters. Car rentals are also a great option, as driving in the Bahamas is very straightforward (just don't forget to keep left!). Well known car rental companies operate straight out of the airport and we have some trusted local rentals listed here - Car Rentals and Transportation

Carnival Events

Officially, events start on Thursday, with J'ouvert, and end on Sunday evening. On Wednesday, the J'ouvert package pick up turns into a party though...

Here is the calendar of events:

Calendar of events for the Bahamas Carnival Fete Weekend

Thursday:

There is one J'ouvert band for the Bahamas Carnival Weekend - Dutty Crew J'ouvert - It's a good time, I promise :)

Friday:

Friday starts off with Just A Lime - dubbed a carnival kickback. It is exactly what the name implies, a lime. Start your day off with some good eats, a few drinks and music from your favourite #BTeam DJs. Usually the event starts at 10AM and wraps up around 2PM.

After this, we're headed to La Vie - the premium all-inclusive party. Usually hosted in a tropical garden location, it includes food, drinks and plenty vibes. This event is hosted by Vie Promotions and it never disappoints. La Vie starts at 4PM.

From here we head down to Prince George Wharf in downtown Nassau to hop on the Hello Moving Cooler Cruise. Hosted by C.O. Entertainment, this cooler cruise has been a staple of the Bahamas Carnival landscape for years! The vibes are always on 100! Boarding starts around 8PM, and will leave the dock around 9ish, giving you plenty time to enjoy La Vie before heading to the boat!

Saturday:

ROAD!!!!! Check out Bahamas Masqueraders or Mas Khaos (with Epiphany Carnival and WyldFyre Mas) for costume options.

Not tired yet? Check out After Mas - a chance to enjoy more drinks, more music and more vibes! This event is hosted by Fresh International and DJ Bravo.

Sunday:

Sunday starts with Waves - a foam boat ride on the Blackbeard's Revenge Pirate Ship. Followed by Sauchis 'n' Grits - the afternoon brunch and finally we cool down with Last Wine on Sunday evening. Last Wine is a drinks inclusive, carnival cool down party, hosted by World Klass Events.

You can check out event listings and ticket details here - Carnival Events - this page has the most up to date information on all the events vetted by us at Bahamas Carnival Guide.

Bahamas Carnival has something for everyone and a beautiful destination is a bonus. Make sure you follow Bahamas Carnival Guide on IG for the latest on the Bahamas Carnival Fete Weekend! Have questions, send us a DM, we're happy to help!