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Turks Caicos Information

The Conch Festival and Other Fall and Winter Events in Turks and Caicos

With summer long gone the cool, crisp days of autumn are here. Soon, much of our guests will be longing to escape from grey, gloomy days or, even worse, snow and frigid temperatures. However, an escape awaits you here in Turks and Caicos!

If you like food, or family-friendly events, fall and winter on Providenciales is the perfect place to be. To help you plan your getaway, here are some upcoming events that kick off the fall and winter vacation season.

Caribbean Food & Wine Festival (November 1st – 4th)

This annual event kicks off the holiday season, pairing internationally renowned chefs and winemakers with Turks and Caicos’ diverse local talent for an authentic and innovative celebration of Caribbean cuisine.

This interactive ‘dine around’ gives festival guests an opportunity to discover the Island’s incredible restaurants. Now in its 11th year, the Gourmet Safari was the original event that served as a catalyst for the festival and continues to be a guest favorite today.

Learn more.

Conch Festival (November 25th)

Every November, the island of Providenciales hosts the Turks and Caicos Conch Festival – a celebration of the islands’ national symbol and top export. This large shellfish has always played an integral role in local cuisine, which they now share with the world.

 

Now in its fourteenth year, the festivities kick off with a Calypso event on Friday November 24th. The next day, Saturday November 25th, is when the full-blown festival occurs, with gourmet dishes including conch salad and conch chowder.

 

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This is the official kickoff of the Christmas season, and also includes a visit from Santa.

In the lead-up to the event, follow @conchfestival on Instagram, and also be sure to check out the Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/TCIConchFestival

Christmas in Turks and Caicos

Our resort typically decorates a spectacular Christmas trees that greets you when you arrive in the resort. There will be decorations around the resort as well, adding to the festive atmosphere. Many restaurants offer a special Christmas dinner service.

Maskanoo Parade (December 26th)

Maskanoo is an annual event in the Turks and Caicos and is held “Boxing Day”, the day after Christmas (a holiday in Commonwealth countries like the Turks and Caicos).

Maskanoo has its roots in the ‘Masses’, a masquerade tradition that fuses traditional African culture with costumed balls held in the colonial era. On Provo, Maskanoo originated with enslaved people brought by the Bermudian salt farmers to work the salt ponds of nearby Salt Cay and South Caicos two hundred years ago, and the event is observed by the residents of Provo today.

On Providenciales, the Maskanoo parade on December 26th follows a route along Grace Bay Road between the Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza. Grace Bay Road is closed to traffic for this event.

Food, drink and souvenirs are widely available from local vendors, and visitors can enjoy a street parade, local music, island food, arts, & entertainment.

What Are Your Travel Plans?

Do you have plans to visit Turks and Caicos this fall? Let us know in the comments below!