The gorgeous British Virgin Island of Tortola takes celebrating seriously, so you can always be guaranteed that there’s something fun happening on your visit to lovely Tortola villas.  In fact, you can be guaranteed at least one major party every month here, as Tortola throws a party every time there is a full moon!

Bomba Full Moon Parties

Every time there is a full moon, the place to be is at Bomba’s Shack in Cappoon’s Bay on Tortola.  It’s an actual shack, run by an actual guy named Bomba, and it is the most popular spot in the British Virgin Islands to hang out.  Bomba started his full moon parties back in the late 1980s, and his parties just keep getting better and bigger.  It’s a wonderful time on Tortola, but you should be warned that it’s not a family event, so make sure to arrange for babysitting at your BVI villa rental!

The BVI Music Festival

The BVI Music Festival is fun for the whole family, with lots of live music right on the beach and dancing all night long. The event happens every May in Cane Garden Bay. The final lineup of musicians is announced in April, but you can be guaranteed some lively local acts, perhaps a Grammy winner or two, some reggae, some salsa, and lots and lots of fresh food to eat.  There’s even a regular shuttle from Road Town to Cane Garden Bay to make life even easier!

BVI Emancipation Festival Days

The biggest party of the year on Tortola comes in the summer for BVI Emancipation Festival Days.  The Festival runs from July through to early August, commemorating the 1834 law that abolished slavery in the British West Indes.  There are festivities on every island, and here on Tortola you can expect parties, street parades, dancing, live music and lots and lots of Caribbean barbeque. Because Tortola is such a great place for sailing, there are also many regattas and races all around the island. There will also be a Fiesta Village set up selling locally made crafts and treats.

Christmas on Main Street

In early December, the business owners of Tortola get you into the festive season by hosting Christmas on Main Street.  This is two nights where the store owners all along Main Street provide steep discounts, as well as live music, Christmas carols, and lots of fun food and drink.  It’s a great time to get out and mix with the local people, as well as get a bit of Christmas shopping done!

Gustav Wilmerding Annual Memorial Challenge Regatta

In early December, the West End Yacht Club on Tortola holds an annual pirate race, to commemorate the legendary pirate Gustav Wilmerding.  He was a Danish pirate who actually managed to retire from the pirating life, finishing out his days here in the British Virgin Islands. He was also known to throw fantastic parties, and so, in his honor, this regatta is definitely one you don’t want to miss on your holidays in Tortola.