Photos: 2011 Christmas Day At Elbow Beach

December 25, 2011

Hundreds of people made their way to Elbow Beach in Paget to celebrate Christmas today [Dec.25], spending the day socializing, swimming and celebrating on one of Bermuda’s most popular beaches.

By 10am this morning, cars were lined up twenty deep at the entrance of Elbow Beach, and people continued to steadily trickle on to the beach. There were no shortage of Santa hats to be seen, with dozens of attendees wearing red hats along with other Christmas-themed attire.

With free champagne on offer and a DJ playing music, some of those in attendance danced in the sand, a few people took to the waters for a swim, while most socialized on the beach.

Click to enlarge images:

Read More About

Category: All, Community, News, News, Photos

Comments (43)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. PEPPER says:

    Wow… I wish I would have known about this event .

    • alteredbeast says:

      i dont think onions welcomed there

      • Not Surprised says:

        That’s not true…Loads of onions are there every year.

      • Tired Mum says:

        Not sure about that. I’ve spotted the odd onion or two in the photos. Maybe it’s just that onions have lots of other family traditions to be involved in on Christmas Day? This onion and her family went to John Smith’s and had a great couple of hours. And I didn’t need to feel welcomed – it’s a public beach!

      • Zumba says:

        Only the “gangsta” types are not welcome.

      • James says:

        Why would you even post something so idiotic?!? Merry Christmas to you anyway, hopefully next year you will open your eyes wider!

      • You really are out of touch with reality! I was there – tons of Onions to be found!

      • cottage says:

        I’m an onion & I was there… lots of Bermudians as well as ex-pats. Everyone is welcome… except if you have a bad attitude and want to cause trouble.

  2. KMHBermuda says:

    We packed up the car with champagne and OJ with every intention of going to Elbow…but none of us felt like walking damn close to a mile to get down there. Went to Warwick Long Bay instead…very few people, beautiful morning and mimosas. It sure as hell doesn’t get any better than that!!

  3. Doug says:

    We really need to visit the island at Xmas time…

  4. moes says:

    you all didnt know about this because you dont have friends in your network to tell you about the event, stickwif codfish

  5. Triangle Drifter says:

    The event has been going on for many many years.

    It started as a group of foreign workers who, not having a family here, got together for a Christmas Day bash.

    Nothing wrong or sinister about that.

    Well, it just grew & grew till well, I guess the numbers are not as large these days.

    Everyone is welcome as the pics show.

  6. all clogged up says:

    Definately an undercover, keep it on the low event….and I dont really blame them for doing so. Certain people don’t fit in because they don’t know how to behave.

  7. Razor Ramon says:

    We were there for sunrise. Didn’t realize that most people came after 10 so we had to leave cause we ran out of booze and didn’t eat! Will certainly go later next year. Great to see a place where expats can hang out and share stories of frustration.

  8. Talk2mestr8 says:

    Some of you people are really stupid!! You take event like this and make all types of slurs! Try to hide what you are really saying! These people at this event are probably those who do not have family here (maybe invite local friends), and just wish to have a great day.Leave them alone…let them have fun!! Happy holidays to all!!

    • James says:

      Couldn’t have said it any better!! Seasons Greetings to you. Hopefully this onion will remember this event and come and join the fun!

  9. Anon Ymous says:

    Hardly low key or undercover with the half page feature in the Royal Gazette about it on Saturday……*rolleyes*

  10. Jes sayin says:

    Its been a Bermuda tradition to go to the beach on Christmas Day for decades. Even go for a swim on Christmas Day. The recent popularity to gather at this particular beach on Christmas was started by guest workers who didn’t have family here but its become a mix with locals too. This is a public beach and everybody’s welcome. Last year there were 1,000 people. I missed going this year so don’t know how many hundreds of people were there but everyone comes to have a good time and soak up the sun (and champagne)! I am always so impressed that the huge crowd actually clean up after themselves. There is very little litter after this event and these party-goers deserve big KUDOS for being so respectful of this beautiful beach. Mark your calendar for next year if you want to join this growing tradition at Elbow. Happy Holidays everyone!

  11. sandgrownan says:

    Been going to the Elbow Beach thing for years, traditionally ex-pats, but now anyone. Always good. And often good weather too.

    Not convinced about the DJ, never really needed before and doesn’t add anything beyond the need to move down the beach away from the noise. My vote would be to unplug him next year.

  12. Penny says:

    Had a great day at the beach and have been going every year that we’ve been on the island unless we’ve gone away. It’s a great tradition and people of all nationalities go including a lot of Bermudians. There’s no secret to this event, it’s talked about by everyone. It’s in the paper each year and all are welcome, as noted above it’s a public beach. We were there with our family who were visiting and they had a ball, paddling, playing with other kids on the beach and chatting to a lot of holiday makers staying at Elbow and Coral Beach.

    Did the police hit the cars again on South Shore, they usually do? also part of the great tradition, ticketing all cars parked along south shore!!!! Hell wouldn’t be Christmas day if they didn’t!!!

    Happy Christmas everyone. Can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas than going to the beach and meeting up with everyone old friends and making new ones.

    Agree with the above, wasn’t that keen on the inclusion of the bar and music, starting to get a bit commercialized in my eyes.

  13. There were alotta Onions there, sometimes it takes one to know one…

  14. This should be promoted by Tourism Authority

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      You are right, it should, along with the boat parade which is another virtually free to Government event & would be a big hit for visitors.

    • cottage says:

      I agree

  15. Razor Ramon says:

    Ticketing cars on Christmas? Gotta make that $ for the Government. BPS and PLP = Modern day Scrooges.

  16. Carse Yer Wote says:

    Unbelievable that some posters talk negatively about this great annual event that has been going on for years and years. All are welcome – even the police who carry on the tradition of ticketing the cars.

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Wouldn’t it be nice if next year they ‘ticket’ all the cars with a Christmas card?

      Of course that would bring all the haters out saying that the party goers got away with the tickets.

    • LED says:

      ticketing alot of cars that belong to expats and IB expats… on Christmas… wake up bda government.

  17. T Dot says:

    I’m an Onion and I go every year without fail. Beats sitting around at home all day in a food coma. Well done and a big thank you to DJ Choice and Moon/Cellar for the awesome music and champagne.

  18. Rose says:

    I have been going to Elbow for years on Xmas day, and it’gets bigger every year. What started off to be 20 to 50 people is now at least 500. And even a DJ now, and the lady on the bagpipes was really nice.

    I just wish they would clean the beach of seaweed, because all thoughs photo’s people are taking, are being seen all over the world, and if I lived somewhere cold and grey I would want to come here ,,,!!!!!!!. Possibly great for tourism, just a thought.

    Ps, please let’s keep this our event, ALL welcome. Peace !!!!!!!!!!!

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Rose, while the beach may not look very nice with the seaweed, the seaweed performs a very useful function by helping to prevent the sand from eroding away during the winter storms, so that sand will be there for the summer.

  19. goldchainorangeyamaha says:

    I’ve gone to this event for the last 5 years, but never again since the DJ arrived on the scene. For the second year in a row he forgot to pack his bag of xmas music but remembered his bag of sleazy, stipper filled rap crap. I closed my eyes and thought I was in Champions bar (or the Bermuda Xmas Parade). The only thing missing was the stripper pole or (50 yr old majorettes). The crap music he played is painful enough the other 364 days a year but on Christmas Day!! Give me a break. Thanks for Bermujianizing this once great event.

    • Razor Ramon says:

      Wow rap music on Christmas? How can you not play Christmas music on CHRISTMAS? Sounds like Bermudians are trying to ruin this great event by making money off booze and trying to get people to come their club by having a DJ play crap. Shame. Guess expats will have to find a new beach and keep it on the down low.

      • Triangle Drifter says:

        Best way to pass the message to the DJ is to walk away from the music. Big beach. Hopefully the message gets through. Gotta agree Christmas is for Christmas music, even if it is contemporary stye.

        Ghetto rap you can hear every other day of the year.

  20. Tiggy says:

    Only my second time down but they need to get rid of the loud music (and not appropriate music for families). If they need to have a DJ, and not sure why as it has always been a great event without the loud music, then at least play Christmas music.

  21. Tank Rain says:

    Need a Facebook page dedicated to NO DJ in 2012.

    Imagine wanting to hear and speak to the people your with.

    Although, in fairness, the group of dudes in tight sweaters dancing amongst themselves was priceless.

  22. Ginger says:

    I’ve been enjoying this event for years. It is certainly not an expat event. Many many Bermudians go with their families and bring coolers with picnics etc. In fact, it’s a great atmostphere with everyone mingling and just enjoying the experience. I do agree with the comments about the DJ though. It was far too loud with Rap music playing late morning. It’s actually better when individuals bring their christmas music with them. I am amused by the posters who did not know about this event LOL.