The Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walk 2025 lights up the UNESCO World Heritage town of St. George’s on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., inviting residents and visitors to step inside lavishly decorated historic homes and stroll candlelit lanes to the sound of carols and live performances. Official listings confirm the date, time, and location, with organizers promising free entry to signature properties, festive entertainment on King’s Square, and thoughtful traffic and shuttle arrangements to keep the evening smooth and family friendly. For anyone seeking a quintessential island holiday experience, this cherished tradition is the season’s most atmospheric night out.
Date, time, and place
- When and where: Friday, December 5, 2025, 6:00–9:00 p.m., throughout the Town of St. George’s in Bermuda’s east end, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for 17th‑ to 19th‑century streetscapes. The official island calendar and the Bermuda National Trust both list the Walk’s 2025 date and evening hours.
- What it is: A free, open‑house evening where historic houses and civic buildings open their doors, streets glow by candlelight, and choirs, dancers, and bands animate King’s Square and nearby lanes for thousands of attendees.
What to see and do
- Historic homes open: Past editions have welcomed guests into Old Rectory, Bridge House, Buckingham, Reeve Court, Stewart Hall, Globe Museum, St. Peter’s Church, Mitchell House, and more, offering guided peeks into architecture and island heritage dressed for the holidays. Organizers spotlight a rotating roster, confirming final 2025 lists closer to the date.
- Live entertainment: King’s Square hosts continuous performances—musicians, choirs, dancers—while roaming re‑enactors in period dress add a time‑travel feel to the narrow alleys and squares. The island’s event guide highlights classic carols and costumed characters as part of the magic.
- Shopping and treats: St. George’s shops stay open late, with food and drink vendors in the square and pop‑up cocktail bars noted at previous walkabouts; the Globe Museum gift shop “Trustworthy” is a favorite stop for locally inspired presents.
Logistics, traffic, and getting there
- Road closures and parking: The Corporation of St. George typically closes central streets around King’s Square, Water Street West, and Queen Street, with one‑way systems on adjacent roads; parking in the town core is restricted. Guidance for 2024 outlines shuttle, parking, and street closures that the town expects to reprise in 2025.
- Shuttle service: Free shuttle buses commonly run between Kindley Field Park and Penno’s Wharf/Tiger Bay from late afternoon through the close of the event, reducing congestion in the Old Towne. The 2024 advisory details shuttle times and taxi stands that visitors can expect again.
- Accessible and prepaid parking: Limited accessible bays and prepaid parking at Penno’s Wharf/Tiger Bay have been offered in prior years; only vehicles with valid tickets or disabled permits are allowed entry to those areas. The town directs visitors to satellite parking at St. George’s Preparatory School when available.
Family‑friendly tips
- Arrive early: Plan to reach St. George’s by 5:30 p.m. to beat queues for the free shuttles and to settle in before the first performances; crowds can be large thanks to the event’s popularity.
- Comfort and safety: Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones and bring a light layer for evening breezes; keep an eye on little ones in candlelit areas and respect marshals’ directions at junctions and house entry lines.
- Give back: The Walk often partners with seasonal drives. In 2024 the Trust collaborated on a Toys for Tots collection on site, a tradition the organizers regularly repeat as part of the evening’s community spirit.
Why St. George’s is the perfect setting
- Living history: Founded in 1612, St. George’s preserves early British colonial town planning and Bermudian vernacular architecture, making the Walk a rare chance to experience interiors that are normally closed or limited to day‑time tours.
- Atmosphere: Candlelit streets, period costumes, and sacred and secular music turn the Old Towne into a storybook scene for one night, with UNESCO‑listed laneways providing a photogenic backdrop for every turn.
Make a festive evening of it
- Start in King’s Square: Pick up the event leaflet, enjoy opening numbers on stage, and time visits to nearby houses when lines ebb between performances.
- Stroll Water Street: Window‑shop and pause for snacks and warm drinks; look for professional and school ensembles that often perform along the route.
- Finish with carols: Return to King’s Square for closing sets and a final look at the harbor lights before boarding the shuttle back to Kindley Field Park.
Practical planning and FAQs
- Cost: Admission to open houses and the public entertainment is free, an important hallmark of the Trust’s community mission highlighted in event notices.
- Accessibility: The Old Towne’s slopes and cobbles can be challenging; shuttle drop‑offs and accessible parking at Penno’s Wharf help reduce walking distances for those with mobility needs.
- Weather: The Walk is typically rain‑or‑shine; bring an umbrella for passing showers and check the Trust’s channels on the day for any timing adjustments.
Nearby holiday ideas
- Hamilton lights: Pair the Walk with an evening in Hamilton to see Christmas lights and window displays later in the weekend. The island’s top events page lists December highlights for trip‑planning.
- Festive tours: Check the Trust’s events calendar for guided walks such as Whispers From The Past and other heritage programs that add depth to a holiday stay.
Verified essentials at a glance
- Event name: Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walk (Christmas Walkabout).
- Date and time: Friday, December 5, 2025, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
- Location: Town of St. George’s, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Bermuda’s East End.
- Highlights: Free entry to decorated historic homes, King’s Square stage shows, caroling, costumed re‑enactors, late‑night shopping, food and beverage kiosks.
- Getting there: Use free shuttles from Kindley Field Park; expect downtown road closures, limited accessible/prepaid parking at Penno’s Wharf, and satellite parking at St. George’s Prep.
Mark the calendar, invite friends, and let candlelight lead the way through centuries of island history. With open doors, music in the squares, and a warm community welcome, the Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walk 2025 is the most charming start to the season—arrive early, ride the shuttle, and savor St. George’s at its most magical.
