Junkanoo is the biggest festival on New Providence Island that occurs on December 26 and January 1. Billed as a cross-between New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio De Janerio's Carnivale, Junkanoo is a celebration of Bahamian culture featuring a parade of brightly colored costumes, energetic dancing, and loud music. Each year's parade has a different theme, and cash prizes are awarded to the groups that best celebrate the theme. If attending the festival, be prepared for an early morning; the parade begins in the wee hours of the morning at 2 a.m. and lasts until sunrise.

 If you can't make it to the island for the festival, you can at least check out the Junkanoo Expo. Located in Nassau, the expo showcases handmade floats and costume from previous years' celebrations. Cost of admission to the expo is $2 for adults and 50 cents for children. The Junkanoo Expo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.