Bermuda is a country where an annual cricket match is a national holiday, and despite the island's buttoned-down reputation the locals make plenty of time to celebrate with a slate of annual cultural festivals, events, and concerts. Here are my picks for the best of Bermuda events ...
Cup Match
Bermuda is not known as a party island, but even in this reserved British colony folks cuts loose a bit for Cup Match, a national holiday where the whole country shuts down for the traditional cricket match between Somerset and St. George (two of Bermuda's parishes). Whether you like cricket or not this is a great time to visit Bermuda if you want to interact with native Bermudians while they cheer on their teams, down Dark 'n Stormys, and roll the dice at the Crown & Anchor tables (a gambling tradition originating with British Navy sailors). There's a carnival atmosphere at the cricket oval itself (the teams take turns hosting the annual event) but you may be hard-pressed to find a restaurant open during the two-day holiday.Bermuda International Film Festival
More than 80 films are screened over nine days in March as part of what is called one of only four truly independent film festivals in the world. Features, documentaries and short films are screened at four theaters on the island, and the program also includes chats with filmmakers, parties, and more.Bermuda Music Festival
Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Beyonce, UB40, Alicia Keys and many others have graced the stage of the Bermuda Music Festival over the past decade-plus. Performances are held at Bermuda's National Sports Center as well as other venues, including the Fairmont Southampton. The four-day festival is very popular, so get your tickets early!World Rugby Classic
© Carole Havercroft
Get down and dirty with the world's most brutal (and some would say, beautiful) sport during the World Rugby Classic, held for the past two decades in Bermuda, with national pride on the line. Some of the world's greatest international rugby players take part. Held at Bermuda's National Sports Centre.
