Taste of Bermuda 2025 transforms the City of Hamilton into a four-day culinary playground from Thursday to Sunday, October 9–12, showcasing island flavors, hotel-led chef collaborations, a high-energy cocktail showdown, an elegant all‑white dining gala on City Hall Lawn, and a family‑friendly Tasting Village to close the weekend. Official tourism and city announcements confirm the dates and daily lineup, with tickets now on sale and new partnerships expanding programming beyond Front Street to participating hotels across the island. Expect bold flavors, performance art, mixology theater, and a token-based street festival that makes tasting easy for families and foodie travelers alike.
Dates, venues, and the new format
- Dates: October 9–12, 2025, over four days in Hamilton with events staged at partner hotels, Bacardí global HQ, City Hall Lawn, and City Hall Car Park. The island’s official events page lists the weekend schedule for visitors planning trips.
- Expansion island‑wide: A new “Tastemakers” night on Thursday, created with the Bermuda Hotel Association, spreads the festival across top hotels through exclusive chef dinners and guest collaborations, signaling the festival’s growth beyond the city core.
Day‑by‑day highlights
- Thursday, Oct 9 — Tastemakers (hotel culinary series)
- One‑night, multi‑venue dining series hosted by leading hotels such as Cambridge Beaches, Azura, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, The Reefs, and Rosedon, each presenting a signature dinner with executive chefs and visiting talent, beverage pairings, and storytelling. Tickets are limited; pricing set at $195 per person including food and drinks, gratuities extra.
- Friday, Oct 10 — Art of the Pour (cocktail competition)
- Mixologists compete at Bacardí Headquarters in a showcase of technique and flavor, with crowd energy and brand activations setting a night‑out tone for the weekend. The City confirms 7–11 p.m. timing and ticket release via PTIX.
- Saturday, Oct 11 — City Hall All‑White Ball & Afterparty
- An elegant, open‑air dining experience on City Hall Lawn with a formal white dress code, live entertainment, and a curated multi‑course menu. Event listing shows 7 p.m.–midnight and published ticket tiers of $220 GA and $270 VIP.
- Sunday, Oct 12 — Tasting Village: Festival of Flavours
- A family‑friendly street‑festival finale at City Hall Car Park from 12–6 p.m., featuring dozens of vendors, chef demos, roaming performers like the Sway Pole Dancers, a kids zone, and a token system for quick food and beverage purchases. Entry is free; guests buy $3 and $6 tokens to sample dishes.
Tickets, access, and how the tokens work
- Where to buy: Tickets for Tastemakers, Art of the Pour, and the All‑White Ball are on sale via PTIX; the city urged early purchase due to limited capacities and strong demand.
- Token system for Sunday: Purchase $3 and $6 tokens in advance or on site; vendors price samples in $3 increments to speed service. Advance token pickup will be available at City Hall (date TBA) and at the festival’s token booth.
- Weather back‑ups: Organizers confirmed contingency venues and will issue updates if weather requires relocation, ensuring the weekend proceeds as scheduled.
Why 2025 is different
- Hotel partnership: The Bermuda Hotel Association co‑hosts Tastemakers, adding capacity, culinary diversity, and visitor appeal while strengthening ties between the festival and island hospitality.
- Elevated dining: The City Hall All‑White Ball has dedicated event pricing and timing this year, with a formal setting and live music to cap Saturday in style.
- Family focus: The Tasting Village remains free to enter, with a kids zone and performance art, making Sunday approachable for all ages and budgets.
What to taste and where
- Island staples reimagined: Expect pan‑fried wahoo, fishcakes, codfish and banana bites, cassava pie riffs, and Goslings‑infused sweets alongside global‑flair plates from hotel chefs and pop‑ups.
- Cocktail craft: Art of the Pour puts rum, citrus, and Bermuda botanicals front and center; the Bacardí setting and competitive format add theatrical flair.
- Sunday grazing: Sample small plates from a broad vendor lineup by token to build a personalized tasting tour in one afternoon.
Practical planning tips
- Book early: Secure Tastemakers seats and All‑White Ball tables first; these are capacity‑controlled. Cocktail competition tickets tend to move quickly as well.
- Dress the part: White attire for Saturday’s gala; smart casual for Friday’s competition; comfortable daytime outfits for Sunday’s festival, with sun protection for midday.
- Getting around: All main events are in the City of Hamilton or central hotel properties; taxis and buses serve Hamilton well. Plan for street closures and busy car parks during Sunday’s festival.
For families and groups
- Easy Sunday entry: The free‑to‑enter Tasting Village is the best day for families; pre‑buy tokens to minimize lines, and use the kids zone for breaks between tastings.
- Group dinners: For Thursday’s Tastemakers, coordinate hotel and seating choices across your group; each venue offers a different chef story and pairing focus.
- Nightlife vibe: Friday and Saturday skew adult‑friendly with mixology and the gala; plan a sitter or bring teens to Sunday’s street festival instead.
Culture and community
- City‑led, island‑wide: The City of Hamilton produces the festival as a cultural and economic driver; 2025 statements emphasize creativity, community, and business support across Bermuda’s culinary scene.
- Signature performers: The Sway Pole Dancers and other roaming acts return to animate the festival atmosphere, a hallmark noted by the City’s program reveal.
Sample 3‑day foodie itinerary
- Friday: Breakfast at Hamilton Princess cafe; explore Hamilton’s galleries; nap; Art of the Pour at Bacardí HQ from 7–11 p.m.
- Saturday: Beach morning; rest; City Hall All‑White Ball 7 p.m.–midnight with live music and afterparty energy.
- Sunday: Arrive by noon for the Tasting Village; collect tokens; graze and catch performances; wrap by 6 p.m.
Verified essentials at a glance
- Dates: October 9–12, 2025.
- Thursday: Tastemakers chef dinners at Cambridge Beaches, Azura, Hamilton Princess, The Reefs, and Rosedon; $195 pp inclusive (gratuities extra).
- Friday: Art of the Pour cocktail competition at Bacardí HQ, 7–11 p.m.; tickets via PTIX.
- Saturday: City Hall All‑White Ball, 7 p.m.–12 a.m.; tickets $220 GA / $270 VIP.
- Sunday: Tasting Village at City Hall Car Park, 12–6 p.m.; free entry; $3/$6 tokens for food and drink.
- Tickets: On sale; limited capacities; PTIX handles purchase and ticket delivery.
Reserve seats for Tastemakers, dress in white for Saturday’s gala, and come hungry for Sunday’s Festival of Flavours. With new hotel‑chef collaborations, a show‑stopping mixology night, and a welcoming street festival for all ages, Taste of Bermuda 2025 is the island’s most delicious long weekend—book now and savor it all in the heart of Hamilton
