Art month inspires connection and creativity
Bermuda’s Art Month returns this October to showcase the island's vibrant art community through a full spectrum of special events and activities. Now in its third year, the festival invites visitors to tap into their artistic side with a lineup of creative programming that includes sip-and-paint classes inside limestone caves and engaging panel discussions with local and visiting artists. Exclusive exhibits will also be on display at the Bermuda National Gallery, Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, the Bermuda Society of Arts, the National Museum of Bermuda, and Black Pony Gallery at Cambridge Beaches. The inclusive month-long event celebrates Bermudians’ collective love of art, culture and creativity, making it a unique and memorable time to visit the island.
The Reefs launches new restaurant and resort upgrades
A series of exciting renovations and upgrades have just been completed at The Reefs Resort & Club, one of Bermuda’s premiere beachfront resorts. The large-scale property refresh includes a redesigned clubhouse and lobby, a full refurbishment of the Royston’s Room private dining space, and the launch of a brand new restaurant concept: Solaris. The new dining concept offers an elevated-yet-approachable menu of island-inspired continental cuisine from new Executive Chef Carlos Meléndez.
First built in 1947, the family-owned resort in Southampton is perched on limestone cliffs overlooking a secluded pink-sand beach. The property offers ocean-facing rooms, suites and cottages and is home to three restaurants, a waterfront infinity pool and four newly added pickleball courts.
Island flavours abound at Taste of Bermuda Weekend
Bermuda's premier culinary event returns to the City of Hamilton from October 9 to 12 as Taste of Bermuda takes over the island capital. The weekend festival shines the spotlight on Bermuda's creative and diverse culinary culture, giving locals and visitors a chance to savour a series of multi-sensory gastronomic experiences:
- Tastemakers: This new one-night-only culinary series showcases Bermuda’s most celebrated chefs and their distinguished guests. Five of the island's top hotels — Cambridge Beaches, Azura, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, The Reefs, and Rosedon Hotel — will host a distinctive dining showcase complete with beverage pairings and the storytelling behind each dish.
- The Art of the Pour Cocktail Competition: Bermuda's premiere cocktail competition brings together 14 of the island’s leading bars, restaurants and hotels to battle it out behind the bar.
- City Hall All White Ball: Foodies will don stylish white attire for an elegant three-course dining experience under the moonlight followed by a show-stopping performance by international violinist Mapy (Marie Baillet).
- Tasting Village: The weekend concludes with an open-air food festival featuring cooking demonstrations, eating contests, live entertainment and more. Dozens of food and drink vendors will be serving dishes that reflect the vibrant flavours of Bermuda's diverse communities, including Portuguese, Filipino, Caribbean, East Indian, Italian and beloved Bermudian classics.
Bermuda's Gombeys celebrate the soul of the island
For over two centuries, Bermuda’s Gombey dancers have burst forth in a brilliant explosion of colour and rhythm. Blending West African drumbeats and Caribbean carnival celebrations, the traditional dance by the Gombey tells a story of the island’s unique cultural heritage. Historically, the Gombeys' bold, rebellious dancing was restricted by British colonial authorities, who feared these gatherings would lead to an uprising among the island’s enslaved Black people. However, the tradition survived thanks to oral teachings through the generations and secret performances.
Today, Gombey dance troupes are a proud symbol of Bermuda’s living culture. Clad in kaleidoscopic costumes featuring peacock feathers, bells, capes, whips and painted masks, Gombey troupes captivate audiences with performances that celebrate freedom, resilience and community. Each year in October, the annual Bermuda Gombey Festival brings together local troupes to showcase their mesmerizing performances.
Holistic healing experiences at The Retreat House
Today's travellers are seeking restorative wellness experiences beyond the typical spa day. The Retreat House offers a secluded sanctuary where visitors are encouraged to connect with themselves and each other on a deep, transformative level. Founder Jessica Burns hosts a range of custom retreats from September to April each year at her private yellow-hued property, which features four oceanfront villas (ranging from one- to four-bedrooms) surrounded by soul-soothing panoramic views. Curated retreats focus on both physical and mental health, ranging from active pursuits like pickleball, surfing and yoga to personal growth and healing. The Kim Burns Cancer retreat brings together individuals living with cancer for a relaxing escape with a focus on nutritious food and self-care. For those working through the loss of a loved one, the one-day Grief Retreat encourages participants to tap into their emotions and heal through sharing circles, meditations and journaling.
Discover Bermuda’s local rhythms
Music is at the heart of life in Bermuda, and the island’s multifaceted musical identity has been shaped by a diverse mix of cultures over the centuries. Influences from British, American, African, and Caribbean heritages have resulted in a vibrant kaleidoscope of musical traditions that range from steelpan, calypso, and reggae to more contemporary styles stemming from folk, soca, and pop-rock.
Live entertainment can be enjoyed at venues across the island throughout the year for those who want to experience Bermuda's soulful sounds in person. Here are some of the best spots for travellers to catch performances from Bermuda’s vibrant local talent and visiting international artists.
- Rosewood Bermuda: With two dedicated entertainment spaces, Rosewood Bermuda is ideal for hotel guests and locals to listen to live music. In The Conservatory, Mike Hind offers his signature blend of musical comedy with light-hearted performances on his ukulele. At Tucker’s Bar, talented artist Katie Ewles delights audiences with her piano melodies and angelic vocals.
- Tobacco Bay Beach: Sunday afternoons at Tobacco Bay Beach are the place to be for a daytime party with locals. High-energy ‘St. Gorgeous Sundays' feature live DJs performing against a picturesque waterfront backdrop.
- The Loren: The Loren Hotel’s elegant Maree Lounge is an intimate venue for weekly Jazz Nights. Each Wednesday night, the hotel spotlights the signature musical stylings of the Tino Martinez Quartet, who evoke the essence of the finest jazz clubs worldwide with their mesmerising performances.
- Crown & Anchor: The Hamilton Princess Hotel’s inviting lobby lounge mixes elegant décor with splashes of modern art and regular live music. The Working Title Band plays on Thursdays, performing a mix of reggae and other genres. Over the weekend, Silver City Band brings the party vibe on Saturdays, while Sundays feature a mix of local acts.
- Snorkel Park Beach Club: After the sun goes down, this exclusive beach club turns into one of the island’s hottest dance parties with live DJs spinning heart-pumping dance music until the wee hours on select summer nights.
- Cambridge Beaches: Tucked away on the West End, this beloved oceanfront property is home to multiple restaurants with stunning views. Here visitors can experience the Sunset Swizzle at Sundowner with Wayne Davis, Mike Hind on ukulele on Thursdays and local legend TonyB on guitar on Fridays.
