For three glittering decades, Festival Noël has marked the moment Grand Bahama’s holiday spirit shifts from a gentle glow to dazzling radiance. This year, the beloved celebration, hosted annually by the Bahamas National Trust, returned to the lush grounds of the Rand Nature Centre with its most enchanting edition yet. The 30th anniversary called for spectacle, and the island delivered.

With Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits leading as Title Sponsor, guests were welcomed into a world where fine pours, festive decor, and sophisticated art collided. Festival Noël has long been the cultural kickoff to the Christmas season, and once again it brought together everything Grand Bahamians cherish: sensational food, curated wines, local artistry, and music that moves the soul.

Every clink of a wine glass helps protect Grand Bahama’s natural future, because your ticket is not just entry, it is a contribution to the protection and preservation of the island’s three cherished national parks.

From the first sip to the final serenade, Festival Noël dazzled with the perfect blend of sophistication and Bahamian soul. Guests wandered through a holiday kissed wonderland, sampling crafted cocktails, gourmet bites, and decadent sweets from local culinary stars, each booth offering its own flavorful story. Local artists showcased masterpieces that captured island beauty through bold color and texture, turning the venue into a walk through gallery of Bahamian imagination.

Then came the surprise that shook the night: a Junkanoo rush out by New Generation Junkanoo Group that transformed the atmosphere. Sequins, feathers, horns, and heartbeat drums created an anniversary worthy of its legacy.

With featured performances filling the air with music and laughter spreading as easily as holiday cheer, Festival Noël once again delivered a night that felt like home, luxurious, lively, and proudly ours. And as the lights glowed against the dark pine forest, the message was clear: Thirty years later, Festival Noël is not just an event but a tradition. A toast to culture. A gift to nature. A celebration that keeps giving to the island we love.

December always comes with its own vibe. The lights go up, the nights get cozy, and suddenly everything feels a little warmer. The pace slows just enough for us to notice the magic that’s been hiding in plain sight all year, the laughter around the dinner table, the quiet glow of a tree in the corner, the familiar sound of holiday favorites floating through the air.

That’s really what Christmas is about: letting joy sneak in, even in the smallest of ways. Light a candle. Watch a movie you’ve seen a dozen times. Hang with the people who make you smile. And most importantly? Turn the music on.

If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack to help your spirit toast up like a fresh batch of Guava Duff, these three classics are the ones to play on repeat:

This Christmas by Luther Vandross

Silky, soulful, and full of heart, Luther’s take on holiday music is like a warm hug wrapped in smooth vocals. His rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” alone could melt the North Pole. Perfect for nights in with good food, soft lighting, and loved ones drifting in and out of the kitchen.

Christmas Essentials by Nat “King” Cole

There’s Christmas music… and then there’s Nat King Cole. His voice is practically a holiday tradition of its own. “The Christmas Song” doesn’t just set the mood — it defines it. This album feels like old-school elegance in the best way, ideal for family gatherings where nostalgia is the main course.

A Jolly Christmas by Frank Sinatra

Frank brings that classic swing that turns any room into a wintertime cocktail lounge. Smooth, charming, and festive without trying too hard. Whether you’re wrapping gifts or hosting a holiday game night, this album keeps the energy just right, merry, timeless, and effortlessly cool.

So as December settles in and the season shines a little brighter, let these albums be your cue to slow down and let the joy in.

The tagline for this film: Only Monsters Play God. An egotistical scientist uses his unbridled brilliance to bring life to a creature made from the stitched together body parts of fallen soldiers and hanged criminals. The experiment is seen as a failure by the scientist due to his past traumatic experiences which leads to his undoing and the tragic existence of his monstrous creation.

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is a cinematic work of art by the filmmaker that sheds light on the plight of the creation in a way that humanizes it while villainizing the creator while offering reasons for that perceived villainy. The screenplay by Guillermo del Toro is able to explore different aspects of the book by Mary Shelley but it is in his directing that this production truly invigorates the senses. The cast is top notch with Jacob Elordi  as the Creature giving a sympathetic performance with Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein giving a truly unhinged one as Mia Goth plays two roles with Christoph Waltz and Charles Dance playing integral to the dynamics of this version of the story. The cinematography by Dan Laustsen and music by Alexandre Desplat go hand in hand to elevate the gothic feel of this production. I will be the first to admit that the design of the Creature grew on me through the course of the film since it reminded me of the music video Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye featuring Kimbra, but by the time it fought the cgi wolves I was fully onboard. My favorite version of this story is 1994's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein because of how faithful it is to the source material, but what this version lacks in adherence to the original work it surpasses with the emotional journey it takes you on that feels true to the characters within this particular retelling of the narrative.

I rate this film a rating of 4 out of 5.

The 30th anniversary of Festival Noel was nothing short of magical, especially when it came to the food, the wines, and the entertainment. From the moment you stepped in, you could feel the energy. Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits had their tent right at the entrance, handing out wine guides and glasses like, “Come, let’s get this night started!”

The first booth I passed was Sylvia’s and if you remember, I already raved about her food from Coconut Festival in East End. Listen… her food is ALWAYS good. Never misses.

Then I drifted over to the Italy tent for some dry wine, and that lil’ sip set the tone for the whole night. My next stop was Laure’s Kitchen and challll, this was the STANDOUT of the evening. I sampled the coconut shrimp, salmon sushi bake, spring rolls, and lobster & crab rangoons, and let me tell you… WELL WORTH THE WAIT. Hands down number one on my list so far.

A few steps down I ran into my girlies from The Sweet Scoop with some much-needed Italian ice. Perfect palette reset. Always love seeing them at events!

Then I passed the pig roast...yes, an actual roasted pig being carved right there on site. Meat was tender-tender. A line started to form nearby, so you know I had to check it out. It was none other than Brunch Vibes serving all your favorite brunch classics. Of course I went straight for the shrimp and grits, and when I say it took my breath away? I wasn’t joking. I was MAD I only had a saucer! Their cornbread was also a sweet lil’ touch I didn’t know I needed.

Toward the back I found Oh My Andros serving seafood rice, loaded potatoes, fried fish, and chicken kabobs. Can I brag about theseafood rice for a min? They did NOT hold back nothing either this! I mean if I wasn’t eating seafood in every bite I surely got the seafood flavoring. 

Inside the Rand Nature Center were vendors with crafts and beautiful art pieces, but my belly guided me straight to Crumb & Co. Bahamas. The cutest lil’ mini cupcakes awaited me. I tried the vanilla, triple chocolate, and the pecan coconut, my NEW favorite must have dessert. I literally stood there in amazement. They were THAT good.

My final food stop was Bah-Cuterie with the cutest mini charcuterie cups. I’ve been wanting to try them for a while, so I was happy to finally get a taste!

I couldn’t make it to Roxy242 cuz that line was wrapped around the building… but I did spot goodies like freshly cut roast beef, rice, and potatoes being served.

After a little tour around the world through Australia, Africa, and more wine stops, I ended up at the Disaronno and Busker Whiskey tent. They had two signature cocktails: the Christmas Fizz and the Irish Claus. My favorite was definitely the Irish Claus: fruity at first, then that sweet-lemony aftertaste. You could barely taste the whiskey, but the combination of flavors in this drink? Perfection.

Overall, the 30th anniversary of Festival Noel, one of Grand Bahama’s oldest (and truly the only real) food and wine festival we have was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Tony Lowe & The Legit Band, set the perfect mood for a night under the stars singing Christmas songs. Honestly, I wish I could relive the whole thing… just to taste everything again and sip those lovely drinks.

But until next year Festival Noel, you did THAT. ✨🍷

Two of the Bahamas’ brightest basketball stars V.J. Edgecombe and Buddy Hield finally shared an NBA court in a showdown that means far more than just a score. What began years ago in Hield’s youth basketball camps back home has blossomed into something special. As a teenager, Edgecombe attended those very camps, and today he’s a rising NBA rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers, a testament to his talent, drive and Bahamian roots. 

Hield, now a veteran sharpshooter with the Golden State Warriors, didn’t just stand by, he guided Edgecombe’s path, teaching him the discipline and mindset needed to succeed at the highest level. 

That mentorship came full-circle on game night. With seconds remaining and the game on the line, Edgecombe stole an inbound pass, grabbed an offensive rebound, and slammed home the go-ahead putback, sealing a dramatic 99–98 win for the Sixers. The two Bahamian talents then exchanged jerseys at center court: a symbolic passing of the torch. 

For Hield, it was a proud moment, seeing someone he once mentored become a rising star on the global stage. For Edgecombe, it underscored a simple truth: with hard work, guidance, and island spirit, a boy from Bimini can stand alongside the best and change the game.

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The Bahamas is known worldwide for its beauty, and tourism has always been our biggest breadwinner. But behind the sun, sand, and all those packed cruise ports, there’s a growing concern: our economy isn’t keeping pace with our Caribbean neighbors.

According to economists at the Inter-American Development Bank, over the decade ending in 2023, the Bahamas’ overall economic growth lagged behind much of the region by about five percentage points. They point to a simple reason, we rely too heavily on one industry, while productivity and innovation in other areas have slowed.

Even now, with tourists returning in record numbers, the Central Bank of The Bahamas says growth remains fragile. Cruise arrivals are booming, but the higher-spending air tourism sector hasn’t bounced back the same way. And that means we’re still depending on the most unpredictable form of income.

Small business owners feel this reality every day. A shopkeeper downtown shared how rising import prices and electricity bills make it harder to expand or even break even. A young technician with dreams of starting a light-manufacturing business said the biggest barriers are support and infrastructure: “I don’t want to leave home to succeed, but sometimes it feels like that’s the only way.”

Educators and workforce trainers also warn that many young Bahamians aren’t being prepared for the types of jobs a diversified economy would need. There’s demand for digital skills, technology training, and new trades but not enough access to programs that build them.

The message is clearer now than ever: tourism is a blessing, but it can’t be our only plan. To protect our future, we must grow more industries, support more entrepreneurs, and invest in our people so they’re ready for whatever comes next.