As the chill of winter descends upon much of the northern hemisphere, The Bahamas emerges as a beacon of warmth and joy, inviting travelers to trade in their coats for bathing suits and the hustle of city life for the serene rhythm of island time. This archipelago, known for its crystal-clear waters and endless sunshine, becomes an even more enchanting destination during the holiday season.

Here’s what’s new and upcoming for those considering The Bahamas for their December getaway:

New Routes

• American Airlines Increases Connectivity - Starting December 5, 2024, American Airlines will launch additional flights to The Bahamas, offering more direct options from U.S. cities, increasing accessibility to this tropical paradise for holiday travelers:
  • Daily nonstop service from Chicago to Nassau
  • Daily nonstop service from Dallas-Fort Worth to Nassau
• Delta Airlines - Beginning December 21, 2024, and running through April 12, 2025, Delta Airlines will relaunch its weekly nonstop service from Detroit to Nassau. This seasonal route connects Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). As the only nonstop flight between these cities, this service provides travelers from the metro Detroit area and the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwest with a seamless connection to The Islands of The Bahamas.

Events

• Authentically Bahamian Christmas Festival (December 17 – 18):   Experience an authentic Bahamian Christmas festival in Pompey Square in the heart of downtown Nassau. Enter “Claussville” and be transported to a holiday wonderland featuring the rhythmic sounds of Bahamian Christmas music performed by school choirs, indigenous dance, drama acts, a Bahamian Ornament Competition and of course, Junkanoo, a dazzling parade of music, costume and dance. The sale of handmade craft and native dishes will provide visitors with a special opportunity to find unique Bahamian souvenirs and sample delectable local culinary delights.
• Abaco will host the Light UP The Harbour Boat parade in Marsh Harbour on December 12, and Exuma will host a series of events during the month of December, with the Annual Christmas Lighting on December 13 being the main event.
• New Year’s Eve Party at Atlantis & Baha Mar (December 31 – January 1): Bid farewell to the year in style at the New Year’s Eve Party at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Baha Mar Resort. Both properties turn into a playground of light and sound, with live music that will get your feet moving, gourmet options that tantalize your taste buds, and fireworks that paint the sky in celebration.
• Junkanoo (December 26 and January 1): Every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, celebrations of Bahamian culture and history take place throughout the destination. Junkanoo, the national cultural festival and parade represents the rich heritage of the African diaspora and is a colourful tradition that speaks to the strength and resilience of the Bahamian people. The largest parade takes place on Bay Street, in Downtown Nassau, but visitors will also find festivities in Grand Bahama Island, Bimini, Eleuthera, and Abaco along with smaller parades across the 16 islands. Junkanoo, commonly referred to as “The Greatest Show on Earth” showcases this joyful tradition with colorful costumes, tirelessly rehearsed dance routines, live music and healthy competition. Junkanoo celebration brings together people from all walks of life and all are welcomed to participate. The Boxing Day Parade will start at 9:00 pm and the New Year’s Day Parade will start at 2:00 am. Here are some important dates you don’t want to miss:
  • Nervous Saturday (December 7): Registered groups select numbers to determine their order of entry/performance in the Parade.
  • Ticket Sales (December 4): The Junkanoo Corporation New Providence (JCNP) is thrilled to announce that tickets for both will go on sale starting Wednesday, December 4th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased online via the ALIV Events App or at select ALIV store locations.

Promotions and Offers

For a complete list of deals and discounted packages in The Bahamas, visit bahamas.com/deals-packages.

• Andros Beach Club – Save $1,000 During Christmas Week: This Christmas, make memories that last a lifetime at Andros Beach Club. Stay in a luxurious oceanfront 3-bedroom villa and save $1,000, plus enjoy a FREE snorkeling trip for the whole family. This special offer is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Andros Island in The Bahamas – relax, explore and celebrate the holiday season in paradise. Travel window is December 19-26, 2025.
• Grand Isle Resort & Residences – Stay Longer This Winter: Grand Isle Resort & Residences on the island of Great Exuma features a “Stay Longer This Winter” package that offers “stay 4 nights, get the 5^th night free” deal. Guests can enjoy spacious villas redefined for ultimate relaxation amidst luxurious amenities and panoramic views. Book by January 31, 2025, for travel valid through March 31, 2025.

Recent happenings and upcoming openings

• South Bimini Airport Expansion : This expansion will enhance connectivity to the serene and culturally rich Bimini Islands. The first phase, an investment of $30 million which comprises airside and terminal improvements to enable international commercial traffic, is underway.
• Caribbean’s Best Golf Destination 2024 Award Ceremony: The Bahamas was awarded the “Caribbean’s Best Golf Destination” by the World Golf Awards at its Gala Ceremony in Madeira, Portugal. Golfers visiting The Bahamas can indulge in unique experiences like teeing off on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Royal Blue Golf Course at  Baha Mar Resort, which offers dramatic elevation changes and limestone moonscape landscapes along the greenery of the Cable Beach Strip. For those seeking an oceanfront challenge, The Ocean Club on Paradise Island presents a Tom Weiskopf-designed course with ocean views on every hole of its 18-hole par 72 championship course , providing a truly picturesque setting for any golf enthusiast. Click HERE to find the perfect golf course for your vacation.
• New Resort Development – Little Island Hotels recently expanded to add The Farm to their Eleuthera-based collection, an off-grid resort centred around a farm that supplies produce for the brand’s properties. Sustainability is a focus for the resort, which utilizes solar power and farming technology such as aquaponics, agri-voltaics and arboriculture. This one-of-a kind resort prides itself on offering new ways to relax and thrive through health and sustainability. The namesake references the fact that the accommodations are built around the large organic farm that supplies vegetables and fruits to other sister hotels. Rustic-chic, the property houses chickens, ducks, a budding orchard, a gym and a pool. The future on-site farm-to-table restaurant is still in the design process, but the current direction is a vegetarian expression of food, that highlights the property’s homegrown produce. 

Island focus: Grand Bahama Island

A Cultural and Natural Haven 

Grand Bahama Island, the northernmost island in The Bahamas, is renowned for its pristine beaches, such as Lucayan Beach, and its proximity to the United States, making it a quick escape (via plane or boat) to paradise. Known for its natural beauty, including the underwater caves of Lucayan National Park and the botanical Garden of The Groves, it’s also a hub for eco-tourism with initiatives like coral farming at Coral Vita.  

Travel to Grand Bahama is facilitated by direct flights from major U.S. cities, with American Airlines adding more routes beginning on December 5, 2024, or by ferry from Florida. The island offers a mixture of adventure and relaxation with activities like diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing, alongside cultural experiences in Freeport and Port Lucaya, where you can enjoy shopping, dining and nightlife.

Looking forward, the island is set to expand its tourism with:

• Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key: Opening in July 2025, featuring Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only area, and a range of dining options celebrating Bahamian cuisine.
• Bluewater Lucayan Resort & Marina: A forthcoming development with a condo-hotel, marina, and luxury amenities, enhancing the island’s appeal to yachting enthusiasts and luxury travelers.

Don’t miss out on the unforgettable experiences and unbeatable deals that The Bahamas has to offer, this December. For more information on these exciting events and offerings, visit Bahamas.com.