Every June, Eleuthera comes alive during the annual Eleuthera Pineapple Festival. Held in the vibrant settlement of Gregory Town, the festival celebrates the island’s reputation as the pineapple capital of The Bahamas. This year’s festival returns on June 5 and 6, marking its 37th year with a weekend of cultural traditions, local cuisine and lively entertainment.
The origins of the festival are closely tied to Eleuthera’s agricultural history. For generations, pineapples have been one of the island’s most important crops, with locals often saying this soil produces some of the sweetest pineapples in the Caribbean. Farming is still integral to daily life, and the festival honors this tropical fruit and like longtime growers like Lady Di, who has been cultivating pineapples since 1974. Her story reflects the deep knowledge and dedication behind the island’s traditions, and if you want one of her pineapples, you must call her well before the harvest season, and she’ll put your name in a book.
Today, the Eleuthera Pineapple Festival is the longest-running festival and one of the top cultural events in The Bahamas. Pineapples are featured in savory dishes like pineapple barbecue, desserts such as pineapple tarts and upside-down cake, and drinks ranging from mojitos to pineapple-infused bush tea. Cooking competitions bring together local chefs and home cooks, who showcase their creativity with traditional recipes and creative interpretations of the fruit.
While the fruit remains a focal point, the celebration is much broader. Traditional Bahamian games, a pineapple-eating contest, live music, dance and arts and crafts are all part of the experience. This year’s lineup features performances by local artists, including Mama D, New Vision Band and Johnny Cake. One of the most important traditions is pineapple pole plaiting, in which artisans weave and shape materials into intricate forms. The festival also features a Junkanoo Parade, which features street performance filled with vibrant costumes, rhythmic drumming, horns, and cowbells.
Visitors attending the festival can also take the opportunity to explore Eleuthera, which has more than 120 beaches with powdery sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters. One of the island’s most iconic sights is the Glass Window Bridge, where the dark blue Atlantic Ocean dramatically meets the lighter Caribbean waters. Other highlights include Queen’s Baths, Ten Bay Beach, Preacher’s Cave and the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. Across the island, you’ll find small settlements with colorful homes, welcoming locals and a noticeably slower pace of life.
For luxury stays, check into The Cove Eleuthera, a Michelin Key resort and the only Relais & Châteaux property in The Bahamas. The property offers an intimate experience, with just 22 rooms, as well as curated offerings such as all-inclusive culinary weekends. On Harbour Island, the Pink Sands Resort, sits directly on a three-mile stretch of pink sand and offers standalone cottages and villas, two fine dining restaurants, and a new wellness program that includes massage, bodywork, yoga and meditation practices. Visitors can reach the island via direct flights from Nassau to North Eleuthera (ELH) or by flying directly into from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Atlanta via American Airlines or Delta.
To learn more about the festival, visit the Eleuthera Pineapple Festival website.
