Turks and Caicos New Year’s Festivals, Food and Folklore
While the "bell" ringing in the new year might be more like a steel drum and set of maracas, Turks and Caicos New Year’s events offers visitors food, festivities and fun in a setting second to none.
Celebrate a Turks and Caicos New Year's
While the Turks and Caicos has long been a favourite destination of the rich and famous, the islands have become an increasingly popular choice for jetsetters from all over the world. There are all inclusive resorts and delightful boutique hotels that make luxury affordable. Seasonal offers include not only rate discounts but provide an opportunity for guests to celebrate special occasions such as New Year’s Eve and Day. Local restaurants and hotels host events and offer a festive line-up including delicious meals, party favours and musical entertainment. One example is Rock the Beach", hosted by The Palms Turks and Caicos, featuring a gourmet dinner, dancing, fireworks and a champagne toast at midnight. Revelers can raise a glass and sing Auld Lang Syne surrounded by the sea and the surf!For event info: https://www.facebook.com/ThePalmsTC/
Turks and Caicos New Year’s Festivals
Festivals and social events are held throughout the year in the Turks and Caicos Islands to mark special days, cultural milestones and historical events. New Year’s Eve, or “Old Year’s Night”, is an important time to reflect on the past twelve months and to greet the year ahead, and many island churches hold special services to honour this time. But locals also prepare for another significant event called Junkanoo that takes place as soon as the clock strikes midnight. The festival takes its roots from the time of slavery and marks the time around Christmas when slaves were given a day off to celebrate with their loved ones. Islanders dress in elaborate handmade costumes and masks and gather along the streets of Grace Bay. The music in the air is rake and scrape, a unique, delightful Caicos sound produced by a blend of goat skin drums, guitars and carpenter saws. Like a Caribbean Mardi Gras, Junkanoo ushers in the New Year with colour, energy and joy.For more info on events: http://caribya.com/turks.and.caicos/events.and.festivals/What’s up with the music? http://turksandcaicostourism.com/about-turks-and-caicos/songs-of-turks-and-caicos-music/
Favorite Foods to Usher in a Turks and Caicos New Year
No matter the geographical location, New Year’s means delicious foods to celebrate. The Turks and Caicos Islands is no different. Island restaurants and resort dining rooms offer up Turks and Caicos New Year’s menus brimming with flavour, colour and seasonal specials. Whether it’s served under palms adorned with twinkling lights or set out at a beach barbecue event, there are dishes common to all island dining experiences. An island favourite is Conch, a sea snail delicacy sought the world over for its versatility in cooking. It shows up on the New Year’s menu in a variety of popular forms: conch wontons, conch fritters, conch salad and conch stew. Another perennial favourite is Jerk Chicken, where tender chicken is marinated in an amazing blend of spices and herbs then grilled. Dessert offerings like Caribbean Black Cake or festive drinks like rum punch featuring Bamburra Rum round out the treats in store for diners.What’s cooking in Caicos? http://caribya.com/turks.and.caicos/food/culinary.styles/
Bonfires and Fireworks Light Up the New Year
Since 2000 years ago, when the first sparks ignited in China, fireworks have been a mainstay event at New Year’s celebrations around the globe. Traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits, fireworks have taken a variety of forms from hand held sparklers to exciting light shows in the evening sky. Turks and Caicos New Year’s fireworks have their own unique interpretation. On New Year's eve beach bonfires and barbecues are hosted, and by the end of the evening, displays of colourful fireworks light up Grace Bay Beach from one end to the other to usher in a brand new year.Fireworks – Did You Know? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/14-fun-facts-about-fireworks-180951957/
New Year’s in Turk and Caicos: festive food with a splash of colour and culture to light up the evening sky. It’s a celebration in a piece of paradise that travellers will remember for years to come.