Junkanoo is the National Festival of The Islands of The Bahamas. It captures Bahamian ingenuity, artistry, creative powers and the national aspirations for excellence. The festival is staged during the early hours of the morning (3 a.m.) on December 26 and again on New Year day, January in the Capital city of Nassau and throughout the other Islands in the Bahamas Group. 'Junkanooers' parade in groups, carrying large stunning costumes that are skillfully built artistically designed and decorated with the gayest colored, fringed crape paper...a great art form. Each year competition is fierce amongst groups as they compete for top awards, best costume, best music and best overall presentation. (From: Bahamas Junkanoo Annual.)