Netherlands Antilles: Events in Bonaire

What is Happening in Bonaire:

The Bonaire year is marked by a number of festive events from Carnival and Calypso celebrations to International fishing tournaments and weekly street parties.

January

• New Year's Day - January 1

March

• Easter Holidays - Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (Easter Holidays occur either late March or early April)

April

• International Fishing Tournament
• Rincon Day
• Queen's Birthday - April 30

Rincon Day is celebrated to reintroduce Bonaire's youth to its rich history. This day is filled with food and drink, music and local crafts. The highlight of the festivities is an official speech marking the opening of Rincon Day and has been traditionally been made by the Prime Minister in the village's historic church.

May

• Labour Day - 1st May
• Dutch Antilles Windsurfing Challenge

This is an international windsurfing competition with races in both Bonaire and Curacao. The first part of the festival begins in Curacao and then is transferred to Bonaire. This weeklong event culminates in a long distance race from Bonaire to Curacao with only the most experienced windsurfers taking part and there are special prizes awarded to those who finish the race.

July

• Annual Copa Cultimara Sailing Race

The is a wind surfing race held in Bonaire at which many families participate and cheer the members of their families on to victory.

September

• Bonaire Day - September 6

This is date that Bonaire was placed on the World Map and is the date that Amerigo Vespucci arrived on the island. Activities are held at Wilhelmina Park and there are many exhibits that depict Bonairean people and their history. Visitors as well as locals gather at the park on this holiday to enjoy folkloric dancing, music, art, local craft and food. Ministers of the government as well as well known historians address the participants with stories of the Bonairean people.

October

• Annual International Sailing Regatta
• Antillean Day

Antillean Day is celebrated on October 21 and is celebrated by all of the Dutch owned islands in the region. Islands such as Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. It is a day of reflection and honour to all of those who have made significant contributions to Bonaire's history.

November

• Annual Bonaire Dive Festival

This is a week long festival, which is geared towards raising people's awareness of the importance of the world's coral reefs. They are a number of fun games and educational activities directed by local and international experts from the environmental communities. All are invited to these seminars and events, which focus on how to conserve and sustain use of the coral reefs and related eco-systems.

December

• Bari Festival
• Christmas Day - December 25
• Boxing Day - December 26