Senior Junkanoo is the competitive display of indigenous Junkanoo music, dance and festive costumes, which includes participants of all ages in New Providence and visiting Family Islands.  

Before bands in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and the Family Islands can participate in Junkanoo festival they must be registered with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Department of Culture.

Must be a Bahamian resident or citizen

1. Interested groups may collect registration forms from the Department of Culture. When registration forms are collected, the participants are also given a copy of the Junkanoo rules.
2. Registration forms must be filled out and submitted to the Department of Culture.
3. New groups may only submit a written request for seed funding to Department of Culture in the second year of competing.  
4. Groups that are already registered with the Department of Culture must notify the department of their intent to participate in Junkanoo festivals.  Once group participation is confirmed, funds are allocated to the group based on the designated seed funding and cheques prepared for the groups.  
5. The Department to Culture will then contact the group when the cheque is ready for collection.  The collecting officer must bring photo ID to collect cheque.
6. Groups are also required to sign a Seed Funding agreement.  Among other things, the agreement states that if funds are not used for the Junkanoo festivals, then the group must repay the Ministry of Youths Sports and Culture by the January 2nd after that year’s Junkanoo Parade.

For the Family Islands, cheques will be disbursed to Family Island Administrator for collection.  

Senior Junkanoo Application form (may be collected at the Cultural Affairs Division)

• National Photo ID (Passport)

There are no associated fees.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture
2nd Floor, West Wing
Education Building
Thompson Boulevard
P.O. Box N4891
Nassau, New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 502-0600
Fax.(242) 356-2693
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays