Downtown Nassau
$$$Mid-rangeOn the Junkanoo route
- Hotels near Bay Street, where the parades run
- Parades run overnight, from late evening into the morning
- Book early for Boxing Day
Bahamas · Nassau
Where to stay for Junkanoo 2026
Sat, Dec 26, 2026Starts in 46 days
Every year on Boxing Day (Dec 26), starting on Christmas night, with a second parade early on New Year's Day.
Overnight parades of costumes, cowbells and goatskin drums on Bay Street, from Christmas night into Boxing Day and again on New Year's morning. Here's where to stay, with live prices for your dates.
Where to stay
Pick your base for Junkanoo
Both parades run through downtown Nassau on Bay Street and Shirley Street, with judging at Rawson Square. Stay downtown to walk to the parade. Paradise Island and Cable Beach are resort areas, so you'll need a taxi on parade night.
Paradise Island
$$$PremiumThe resort island
- Large resorts across the bridge from downtown
- Short taxi to Bay Street
- Pricey but polished
Cable Beach
$$$PremiumBeach resort strip
- Resorts along a long beach west of town
- 10–15 minutes by taxi to Bay Street
- Close to the airport
Showing stays near Bay Street, Nassau
Prices are live for your dates and guests. Tap a pin to see the stay on the booking site.
Plan your nights
Junkanoo at a glance
Book the full stretch and you won't miss a thing.
FriDec 25
Christmas night: the parade starts
In recent years the Boxing Day parade has started at 9pm on Christmas night. Arrive early to find your seat.
SatDec 26
Boxing Day parade
Groups rush through the night and into Boxing Day morning. Finishes often run late, sometimes past midday.
SunDec 27
Recovery day
Sleep in, then head for the beach.
FriJan 1
New Year's Day parade
The second parade fills Bay Street from the early hours of 1 January and runs into the morning.
The National Junkanoo Authority, set up in 2026, announces start times and ticket sales in late November and December.
Getting there & around
- Roads around Bay Street and Shirley Street close before and during the parades, and you go through a security scanner to enter the parade zone.
- From downtown hotels you can walk. Paradise Island is a 5 to 10 minute taxi ride over the bridge, and Cable Beach about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Jitneys and the Paradise Island water taxis stop in the early evening, so book a taxi both ways and agree a pick-up point outside the closures.
- Taxi fares from Lynden Pindling International (NAS) are fixed by zone. Paradise Island adds a bridge toll.
Booking tips
Book refundable, switch later
Lock in a free-cancellation stay now while there's choice, then keep an eye out for something better.
Compare the total price
Festival rates, cleaning fees and minimum stays add up. Compare the total for your nights, not the nightly rate.
Check AC, water and parking
Ask rental hosts about AC in the bedrooms, backup water and secure parking before you book.
Stay near what you'll do most
Roads close and taxis surge on the big days. Being close to the main events saves hours.
Lock in a refundable stay for Junkanoo
Nassau and Paradise Island hotels fill over Christmas and New Year, so book as early as you can. Free-cancellation options let you book now and change your mind later.
FAQ
Junkanoo: your questions
When is Junkanoo 2026?
The main Nassau parades are on Boxing Day (26 December) and New Year's Day (1 January) every year. In recent years the Boxing Day parade has started at 9pm on Christmas night and run into the morning. The next one is Sat, Dec 26, 2026.
How do I get Junkanoo tickets?
Bleacher seats go on sale in early December, sold through the ALIV Events app and ALIV stores in recent years. The best sections, near Rawson Square, sell out within hours or days. In 2025 seats cost about $27.50 to $250 plus VAT.
What time does Junkanoo start?
The Boxing Day parade started at 9pm on 25 December in 2024 and 2025 and ran into the next morning. The New Year's Day parade starts in the early hours of 1 January. Delays are common, so allow plenty of time.
What is Junkanoo all about?
Junkanoo is the national festival of The Bahamas. It dates to the early 1800s, when enslaved Africans used their Christmas holiday to recreate festivals from home. Groups compete in huge costumes of cardboard and crêpe paper to goatskin drums, cowbells and horns. UNESCO listed it as intangible cultural heritage in 2023.
Where is the best place to watch?
Bleachers line Bay Street and Shirley Street, and the judges sit at Rawson Square. Seats near Rawson Square sell first. Some people watch from the roadside on nearby streets, but there's little space.
Is Junkanoo Beach where the parade happens?
No. Junkanoo Beach is a public beach on West Bay Street, a short walk west of the cruise port. The parades are a short walk east, on Bay Street and Shirley Street.
Is Junkanoo safe, and what should I bring?
Police and private security patrol the route, and bottles, cans and weapons are banned. Pickpocketing is a risk in big crowds, so carry little. Bring ID, some cash, a charged phone and a light layer for the night.
When is Junior Junkanoo?
School groups parade on Bay Street on an evening in late January or early February. It's shorter and a gentler way to see Junkanoo.
Where should I stay for Junkanoo?
Downtown Nassau is closest, and you can walk to the parade. Paradise Island and Cable Beach suit people who want a resort, but book a taxi for parade night. New Year is the busiest week, so book early if you're staying for both parades.
