Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a magical time of year in the Cayman Islands. We may not get snow but you’ll find plenty of traditional and festive activities to keep the whole family entertained throughout the holidays and to top it all off, you can enjoy plenty of Christmas cheer without having to suffer the cold weather!
Read on for a list of the main traditional Christmas events, plus a round up of the best New Year’s Eve happenings in the Cayman Islands.
We constantly update this page, so check back regularly for the latest confirmed events. For event details please see the Explore Cayman Event Calendar.
Twinkling Lights at Camana Bay
Enjoy a Holiday Craft Market and live music on the Paseo in Camana Bay from 4pm. The Town Centre, including the tree, will be illuminated at 7pm. Restaurant reservations along the Paseo and the Crescent are encouraged. Saturday 20th November 2021.
Holidaze Weekend
Jingle All The Way to Seafire as the Kimpton officially launches the start of the Festive Season! Marvel at their Christmas Village, Santa’s Meet and Greet and your favourite Christmas market to pick up some unique and local gifts for your loved ones. Families can also enjoy Christmas movie classics on the lawn. Friday 26th November-Monday 29th November 2021.
Light Up a Life, Jasmine
Join Jasmine for ‘Light Up a Life’ and remember a loved one this holiday season. For a CI$10 contribution, your loved one’s name will be etched onto an ornamental star which you can place on the Jasmine Christmas tree during this celebration of life. Music performed by the Cayman National Choir and the Cayman National Orchestra. Forum Lane Waterfront Terrace, Camana Bay. Thursday 30th November 2021.
Christmas Fairs, Markets & Bazaars
Get your Christmas shopping done and support local artisans.
Art Nest’s Outdoor Holiday Makers Market
Join Art Nest for their biggest event of the year in the open air of Elizabethan’s Square Courtyard. Artisans, Crafters, Makers, Potters, Poets, Musicians and every kind of creative will be there. Buy one of a kind holiday gifts while supporting local artists and small businesses. Enjoy food and drink that will be on sale from select vendors. Poetry and live painting performances will be happening throughout the evening as well as giveaways, prizes and surprises! Saturday 27th November 2021.
Pink Ladies Christmas market
Join the Pink Ladies for their annual charity fundraiser where you can buy handmade crafts, gifts, decorations and plants for your garden. Get your raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful Christmas quilt and a selection of gift baskets. The Paseo, Camana Bay. Saturday 27th November 2021.
Girlguiding Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Bazaar
Shop local for all of your Holiday needs! Browse arts, crafts, handmade jewellery, henna tattoos and so much more. All proceeds go to Girlguiding Cayman Islands. The bazaar will be held in Loyola Hall and Courtyard, St. Ignatius Catholic School, Walkers Road. Free admission. Saturday 27th November 2021.
Holiday Farmers & Artisans Farmers Market, Camana Bay
Every Wednesday throughout December 2021, Camana Bay’s weekly market will be infused with Christmas cheer.
Caybrew Christmas Market Join the Taproom on for a day full of Christmas Cheer. You’ll find local vendors, a food truck and some fantastic CIB Christmas specials. Saturday 4th December 2021.
Art’y Parties Christmas Pop-Up Market Come out and support some amazing local artisans this holiday season at this Christmas Pop-Up Market! Shop for jewellery, soaps, pottery, plants, wood ornaments, oils and much more. Saturday 4th December 2021.
Visual Arts Society Christmas Craft Market In case you haven’t started your Christmas shopping, head to the VAS’s Christmas market and browse handmade art, jewellery, crafts, ornaments fine art photography, painted canvases, textiles and more. The paseo, Camana Bay. Saturday 11th December 2021.
Christmas Night Market Join Anchor & Den for their Christmas Night Market, a unique foodie and shopping experience that includes live music, delicious holiday-themed street food, handcrafted cocktails, and cool retail stalls. Saturday 11th December 2021.
NGCI Artisans Fair & Holiday Party Join the National Gallery to celebrate the holiday season with local shopping, food and drinks, and open viewing of their current exhibitions. As of the 16th December this event has been sadly cancelled.
Christmas Greetings from Cayman Marketplace Join the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage for “Christmas Greetings from Cayman”, a Christmas marketplace of local vendors, food and gifts. Also enjoy musicians, dance entertainment, interactive stations plus a fireworks display at 8pm! As of the 16th December this event has been sadly cancelled. There will however, still be fireworks on the Waterfront at 7pm.
Westin Wonderland
Delight in tradition and indulge in the magic of Christmas at the Westin Wonderland. There will be pop up shops, selfies with Santa, Christmas tree lighting, carol singing and an open air showing of the ultimate Christmas classic, “Elf.” Tortuga Beach Grill and Bar will be open throughout the evening for dining and drinks, don’t forget to try their festive cocktails and menu items! Saturday 4th December 2021.
Christmas Concerts
There is nothing more festive then belting out Christmas carols and in Cayman there are several events to help get you into the Christmas spirit!
The Singing Christmas Tree will sadly not take place in person in 2021. However, there will be a virtual airing of the Singing Christmas Tree on CI television and online. More updates to follow. Sunday 28th November 2021.
The Elmsie Church hosts an annual Christmas Carol Concert. Sing along with the Cayman National Choir and the Cayman National Orchestra to all your Christmas favourites! Sadly this event has now been cancelled for 2021 due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Festival of Christmas Praise Celebrate the Christmas Season with the First Baptist Choir and Soloists! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season at the First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman as they present their annual Festival of Christmas Praise. Friday 10th December and Sunday 12th December 2021.
Strictly Strings Christmas Join the Cayman Arts Festival for a heart-warming festive Christmas concert for all the family. Tuesday 21st December 2021.
Jazz Christmas Concert Join the Cayman Arts Festival for a family-oriented recital featuring a blend of Christmas songs, both secular and sacred. Enjoy an evening full of great music! Thursday 23rd December 2021.
Gingerbread House Workshops
The Ritz-Carlton’s Gingerbread House Workshop Bring your creativity and use powdered sugar, peppermints, and candy canes to craft the perfect gingerbread house, working together as a family to create a masterpiece that you can bring home with you. You are provided one pre-assembled gingerbread house per family, frosting and candies to decorate it while children enjoy seasonally inspired sweet treats and hot cocoa. Call the Ritz-Carlton on (345) 943 9000 for information on dates and times. December 2021.
The Marriott’s Gingerbread House Workshop Celebrate the season with family bonding and holiday fun at the Marriott’s gingerbread house decorating party with a twist, hosted by the Cayman Heart Fund. You’ll take home your tasty creation beautifully wrapped for display and not only look fabulous they will taste delicious too. Saturday 18th December 2021.
Christmas Tea Parties
Gingerbread Man Tea When the joy of Christmas meets a child’s tea party, magical things can happen. Indulge in finger sandwiches and a tower of delectable sweets. Adults will enjoy a glass of champagne, a selection of classic and herbal teas, baked scones, finger sandwiches and tempting pastries. Call the Ritz-Carlton on (345) 943 9000 for information on dates and times. December 2021.
High Tea with Santa Tillies is proud to present a very exclusive engagement with the ultimate VIP, the first annual High Tea with Santa. Meet Santa in the dining room and enjoy a selection of pastries, sandwiches, tea and much more. Saturday 18th December 2021.
Christmas Mad Tea Party In the spirit of the holidays, Anchor & Den is hosting their Mad Tea Party with a Christmas twist! Enjoy all the whimsical details of their regular Mad Tea Party but this time with indulgent, Christmas-inspired desserts and treats. Saturday 18th December 2021.
Santa Sightings
Breakfast with Santa What better way to start your day this holiday season than with a delicious breakfast at the Turtle Centre with Christmas music, games, treats, and a special encounter with Santa Claus himself! Children will receive a gift for kids to take home and put under the tree. 11th & 18th December 2021.
Santa at Salty’s Bring your camera and wish list becasue Santa is coming to Salty’s! He will be located outside Mike’s Bar from 7pm. Social distancing and masks required. Saturday 11th December 2021.
Santa at Bayshore Mall Visit Santa in his grotto at Bayshore Mall in George Town and light up your child’s Christmas. There will be sweet treats, festive music, and jolly entertainment every day! Visit on Christmas Eve and you’ll find face painters, balloon twisters and magicians! Monday 20th December-Friday 24th December 2021.
North Pole Happy Hour Join Santa at Tillies as he takes a little time to unwind from the peak season madness. Enjoy holiday inspired cocktails and special festive treats. Thursday 23rd December 2021.
The Nutcracker
Catch a special screening of the Bolshoi Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Caman Bay Cinema. The exceptional score by Tchaikovsky delights the hearts and ears of all generations of music lovers. Experience this holiday classic with the whole family through the eyes of Marie and her Nutcracker Prince on the big screen. 3.30pm and 7pm on Sunday 19th December 2021.
Christmas Movies
Moonlight & Movies Grab a take-out meal from one of the Camana Bay restaurants and get cosy under the stars on the Crescent with your loved ones. Enjoy a joyful family flick shown on a giant blow-up screen.
- Tuesday 7th December 2021, 6.30pm: Frozen II (2019, PG)
- Wednesday 15th December 2021, 6.30pm: Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella: A fairy tale under the stars (2018, PG)
- Tuesday 21st December 2021, 6.30pm: Arthur Christmas (2011, PG)
Christmas Movies at the Camana Bay Cinema Help get the kids in the festive spirit with the Christmas films they know and love. Brighter lights and softer sounds are used to create a family friendly environment.
- Tuesday 30th November & Wendesday 1st December 2021: 7pm: Love Actually (2003, 13+)
- Saturday 4th December 2021, 10am: Elf (2003, PG)
- Saturday 11th December 2021, 10am: Polar Express (2004, G)
- Saturday 18th December 2021, 10am: Home Alone (1990, PG)
Christmas Movies at the Westin Beach Resort Join the Westin on Thursdays and Saturdays in December for sunset views, great food and a classic Christmas movie right on Seven Mile Beach. Movie starts at 6.30pm.
- Thursday 2nd December 2021: The Holiday
- Thursday 9th December 2021: Love Actually
- Saturday 11th December 2021: Home Alone
- Thursday 16th December 2021: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Saturday 18th December 2021: Arthur Christmas
- Thursday 23rd December 2021: It’s a Wonderful Life
Jeep 345 Parade
Marvel at the parade of festively lit jeeps playing holiday music through the Camana Bay Town Centre and join them at Abacus for their toy drive for Big Brothers Big Sisters. They will park up on Emeritus Drive for full festive admiration; pop by and check them out between 6pm-8pm. Saturday 4th December 2021.
Christmas Fun Runs
Burn off those Christmas calories, along with hundreds of other runners, at this annual 5k and 10k Jingle Bell Run. A delicious breakfast is served after the run and spot prizes awarded. Proceeds are donated to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre. CI$25. Sunday 12th December 2021.
Christmas Lights
Decorating private homes with thousands of twinkling lights and creating beautiful Christmas scenes is a source of immense pride in Cayman! Take an evening drive around the Island (it gets dark around 6pm) and you will see stunning nativity scenes, plus Santa, snowmen, reindeers and a whole lot more! Top homes to check out include the Crighton family home, 389 South Sound Road, across from Sunset House and the Bodden sisters’ home at 705 South Sound Road, across from Smith Cove. Some homes will even leave their gates open so you can wander around and marvel at the magical, seasonal displays. December 2021.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Village The night before Christmas is special at Seafire. Give your loved ones the gift of a Caribbean Christmas at the Beach Deck. Enjoy a selection of live food stations showcasing the vibrant cuisine of the Caribbean and festive favourites. Be enchanted by live music, a fire dancer, Christmas market showcasing local vendors and a host of family friendly entertainment. Friday 24th December 2021.
Luxury Christmas Eve ‘Upstairs’ Enjoy a 6-course Tasting Menu, at ‘Upstairs’ at Kaibo. Six perfectly curated dishes will be served on the sea-view veranda with a Christmas theme. Wine and run pairing are optional. After dinner, sink into an oversized couch by the Christmas tree, and sample tasters from the Rare Rum Bar. Friday 24th December 2021.
Christmas at Ms. Piper’s Join Ms.Piper at her cottage for a cozy evening of wonder, joy, sparkles – and a special Christmas Eve Dinner. Friday 24th December 2021.
Christmas Dinner Seafood Feast Join Tillies on Christmas Eve for a Seafood Feast alongside Christmas carols and a live choir performance. Friday 24th December 2021.
Christmas Eve Dinner at The Brasserie Let the chefs at The Brasserie create an incredible meal for you on Christmas Eve. Enjoy Certified Angus Beef Grilled Rib Eye and their Cayman Christmas Cake served with dreamy ‘Chateau Chooks’ eggnog ice cream. Friday 24th December.
Christmas Day Lunch
If you love over-indulging on Christmas Day then you will not be disappointed in Cayman! From sumptuous brunches, traditional turkey lunches, sushi and Australian fare, you will be spoiled for choice on Christmas Day. Most restaurants offer bottomless champagne or sparkling wine too! But book early as restaurants do fill up quickly! Keep an eye on Cayman Good Taste as more Christmas brunches are added.
Christmas Church Services
Being a predominantly Christian country, you’ll find no shortage of church services around Christmas. Check out this list of local churches in Cayman.
New Year’s Eve
One of the biggest nights of the year in Cayman! Those looking to ring in the new year will find a huge range of party options from beach parties and black tie events to live music and gourmet dinners. Alternatively get a bunch of friends together and decamp to Seven Mile Beach to watch the magnificent fireworks displays at midnight! Keep an eye on the calendar as more New Year’s Eve events are added.
By- Cyman Explore
