Bermuda Day

Bermuda Day is a public holiday in the islands of Bermuda. It is celebrated on the Friday before the last Monday in May.[1] This effectively always makes it the fourth Friday in May.[2]

Bermuda Day is traditionally the first day of the year that residents will go into the sea [citation needed]. It is also traditionally the first day on which Bermuda shorts are worn as business attire [citation needed] (although in recent years [citation needed], Bermuda shorts are increasingly worn at any time of the year) [citation needed]. Many people also see Bermuda Day as the first day on which they can go out on the water after the winter [citation needed] — consequently there is always a rush to get one's boat 'in de water' before Bermuda Day [citation needed].

To celebrate the holiday, there is a parade in Hamilton, Bermuda, and a road race from the west end of the island into Hamilton. For the first time, in 2015, the race started from St George's and into Hamilton. These events are popular with spectators [citation needed], and residents are known to stake out particular sections of the pavements to enable them to watch the runners and the floats [citation needed]. Ways of marking out one's family's section can include roping it off (frowned on as people have been hurt walking into them the night before), marking it off with tape with one's name on it, or sleeping there overnight.[3]

  1. ^ "Public Holidays Act 1947 - Public Holidays Act 1947.pdf" (PDF). Bermuda Laws Online. The Government of Bermuda. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Bermuda Day – Department of Culture". Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Requests About Camps Not Working Too Well". Bernews.com. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2016.