The main event on Grand Cayman is the annual Pirates' Week (see below), a ten-day celebration held in late October. Special events take place all over the island and include street dances into the wee hours, sports contests, a mock pirate invasion and glittering parades. George Town is centre stage for the major activities on the weekends. For details, check out . It's a popular event with islanders and tourists, so book hotel accommodations several months in advance.
Public holidays
January 1 New Year's Day
February 13 Ash Wednesday
March/April Good Friday, Easter Monday
May 20 Discovery Day
June 17 Queen's Birthday
July 1 Constitution Day
November 11 Remembrance Day
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day
Festivals
FEBRUARY
Little Cayman Annual Mardi Gras Festival tel 345/948-1010. This is small-town parade atmosphere at its best; many people visit during this time just to be a part of the festival.
APRIL
Annual Batabano Carnival tel 345/945-598. Held in downtown George Town, the carnival features parades and live soca and calypso bands, and street stalls offering tasty Caymanian and Caribbean delicacies.
Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament tel 345/945-3000, . Anglers worldwide compete to catch blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and the like for hefty cash prizes.
OCTOBER
Pirates' Week Grand Cayman tel 345/949-5078, . A ten-day event bringing together parades, regattas, treasure hunts and a mock pirate invasion.
