Visiting the Caribbean at Christmas Time?
Christmas and New Years Events in the Turks & Caicos Islands Brighten Up Any Caribbean Vacation
Visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands with its spectacular beaches and glorious weather is always wonderful. And getting the chance to celebrate Christmastime in these friendly islands is warm in so many ways. But it is the post-Christmas period that really delights visitors in a truly unique way.
Boxing Day, for example avoids the unpleasantness of fighting crowds of shoppers for store bargains, and instead, soothes you with calypso music and a parade of colourful costumes and vibrant masks. This is Boxing Day, Turks and Caicos style!
December 26th marks “Maskanoo”, a unique annual event held in Grace Bay, Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The name itself is a combination of “Masquerade” and “Junkanoo”, a national festival in the Bahamas. Coordinated by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Cultural and Arts Commission (CAC), Maskanoo is a celebration for all of your senses. In addition to the street parade along Grace Bay Road between Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza, the event includes music, local food, arts and entertainment.
The post-Christmas festivities reach their height with the arrival of New Year’s Eve. Villa del Mar Resort, located on Providenciales, is a great example of bringing in the New Year – Caribbean style! Alan Lawley, Director of Operations, initiated the event four years ago which has now become an annual tradition.
“We host a New Year’s Eve party with free island cuisine, great music and party favors. And visitors to the islands have been enjoying the event,” says Lawley, “it’s a great hit with my guests!”
But there’s no better sense of community than when the clock strikes midnight. Resorts along Grace Bay Beach join in to light up the New Year by setting off spectacular fireworks on the beach. Displays are set off all along the beach starting at Beaches Resort and work their way up towards Villa Del Mar and Grace Bay Club. Like one domino falling after another each resort forms a chain of pyrotechnic delight.
Resort guests gather at 11:30 pm and settle in to watch the sky show. Some visitors can watch the illuminations up close, like those staying at Villa del Mar, who can sit comfortably on deck chairs in a designated beach area.
One tourist remarked “Many resorts have fireworks at midnight, terrific show, because it’s such a long beach that you can see multiple displays up and down the beach; it’s magical”.
The Turks and Caicos Islands invite tourists to celebrate the season. Whether it’s the color and energy of a masquerade or communal fireworks shows in the night sky, it’s a moment to enter into the warmth and enchantment of Christmas in the Caribbean.
To book your next holiday to the Turks and Caicos Islands during the festive Christmas and New Year season, contact us today.
For more information:
www.turksandcaicostourism.com/upcoming-event–id–7166.html
www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g147399-i213-k4979194-New_Years_Eve_in_Grace_Bay-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html
