Jamaica always offers wonderful historic & cultural events, grand food festivals, reggae/dancehall extravaganzas, and a whole heap of other great events! Below you will find the events that take place annually (at least they usually happen every year). We will update the list as the TBAs (To Be Announced) become final.
If you're primarily interested in parties, dances, shows, concerts, reggae festivals and other music events, both in Jamaica and around the world, please visit our "Int'l Calendar of Events". It's LOADED with music events!
Keep in mind that things can happen, particularly due to this stinky global economy. So be sure to confirm the details at the event's official website before you go! We are not responsible for changes or cancellations!!
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANUARY | |||
| 1 | New Years Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 6 | 272nd Annual Accompong Maroon Festival | Accompong, St Elizabeth | Celebrated by the Maroons of Western Jamaica, the descendants of runaway slaves. The festival features the traditional dancing, singing, Maroon feast and ceremonies. |
| 15 | Rebel Salute | Port Kaiser Sports Club, St Elizabeth | Jamaican premier Rasta-centric roots reggae festival with no alcohol, no meat, lots of smoke, and great music. [Rebel Salute] |
| 27-29 | Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival | Greenfield, Trelawny | High-caliber musicians bring the house down for the annual week long festival of R&B, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Latin and other music types. [JA Jazz & Blues] |
| 30 | 28th Annual JSP High Mountain Coffee 10K & 5K Road Race | Mandeville, Manchester |
A challenging and extremely popular race, starting at the overhead bridge in Williamsfield. [High Mtn 10K] |
| FEBRUARY | |||
| 3-6 | Bob Marley Birthday Celebrations | Islandwide | Stage shows, exhibitions and other events at various locations around the island to celebrate the birthday of the reggae giant |
| TBA | Hague Agricultural Show | Hague, Trelawny | Gives the farmers of Trelawny an opportunity to showcase their produce. [Hague Show] [(Last held 2/17/2010) |
| Feb 18 - May 1 | Carnival | Events take place islandwide throughout the season |
Reggae and soca music give Jamaica Carnival, known as Bacchanal, its true Caribbean flavour and electric atmosphere |
| 19-26 | Jamaica Fatta Tyre Biking Festival | St Mary & North Coast | Week-long mountain biking extravaganza that highlights Jamaica's unique, vibrant culture and awesome trails. [Fat Tyre Fest] |
| 20 | Fi Wi Sinting | Somerset Falls, Hope Bay, Portland | Annual celebration of Jamaica’s rich African heritage. The largest African History Month event in Jamaica with a art/craft marketplace, great food, traditional music and dance. [Fi Wi Sinting] |
| 28 | Misty Bliss | Holywell Recreation Area, Blue Mountains | Celebrates the natural and cultural resources of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. This is a cultural festival featuring traditional Jamaican music, dance, Maroon drummers, 'old time' Jamaican foods such as jerk pork, crayfish rundown, roast yam, dukunno and chocolate tea, a marketplace with fresh produce, craft items and tree seedlings, and activities for the kids. |
| MARCH | |||
| 6-12 | Inaugural Elasha Springfest | Negril, Westmoreland |
Week-long event utilizes multiple venues across Negril for concerts, fun events, ministry and witnessing activities. Dubbed “the ultimate spring break experience”, the festival will see performances from local and international gospel artistes. [Elasha Springfest] |
| 9 | Ash Wednesday | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 13-19 | Fun in the Son Gospel Spring Festival | Kingston, Ocho Rios, Negril | Glory Music presents a bevy of top regional gospel acts. [Fun in the Son] |
| 26-27 | Jamaica Orchid Society Show | Jamaica Horticultural Society's Exhibition Hall, Gibson Drive, Hope Pastures, Kingston | Stroll amid a stunning array of exotic orchids of various shapes, sizes and colors. The Jamaica Orchid Society organizes this annual event to celebrate the beauty and variety of these gorgeous blooms. Plant enthusiasts visit the show to judge the winners. [Orchid Show] |
| 27 | 5th Annual Portland Curry Festival | Acompong Beach, Port Antonio, Portland | All-day family event highlighting Jamaica's fabulous curried chicken, goat, shrimp, lobster and fish, with dozens of reggae artists to entertain. [Portland Curry Fest] |
| APRIL | |||
| 4 - 18 | Jamaica Cricket Festival | Greenfield Stadium. Falmouth, Trelawny | National cricket teams, from Ireland to Canada and the West Indies, play against Jamaica at the annual Jamaica Cricket Festival. Events also take place in other places islandwide |
| 16 | Jake's Treasure Beach Off-Road Triathlon | Jake's At Treasure Beach, Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth | The Jamaicans might have a reputation for being laid-back, but Jake's Off-Road Triathlon on Treasure Beach contradicts this with its grueling 500-meter swim, 25km mountain bike ride and 7km country run. Both individuals and relay teams can participate. [Jake's Triathlon] |
| 20 | Good Friday | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 20 - 25 | Montego Bay Yacht Club Easter Regatta | Montego Bay Yacht Club, Montego Bay, St James |
Exciting, fun cruises and yacht races. Join in or watch from the harbour. [Easter Regatta] |
| 24 | Westmoreland Curry Festival | Mannings School, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland | Regarded as the biggest leading annual curry food show in the Caribbean. Over 15,000 patrons attend the event. There a gamut of cultural culinary influences carried over from the history of the Amerindians, West Africa, and Spanish, French, East Indians, Portuguese, Dutch, English, Lebanese and East Indians are normally displayed. Good food and entertainment. (Last held 4/25/2010) [Westmoreland Curry Fest] |
| 25 | Easter Monday | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 25 | Trelawny Yam Festival | Albert Town Square, Trelawny | Nobody pays homage to the yam quite like the Jamaicans. Explore the diverse delights of this humble root vegetable at the Trelawny Yam Festival. [Yam Fest] |
| 25 | St. Elizabeth Horticultural Society Annual Flower Show | Independence Park, Black River, St Elizabeth |
One of the most popular flower shows, with beautiful displays, plants on sale, live steel band and marching band music, fun stuff for kids |
| TBA | Montpelier Agricultural Show | Montpelier Show Grounds, St James | An opportunity for hard working farmers to showcase their work. Lots of entertainment and Kids Village. (Last held 4/5/2010 - Easter Monday) [Montpelier Ag Show] |
| TBA | St Mary Agri-Expo | Gray's Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, St Mary | Second largest of Jamaica's agricultural events. Highlights agriculture, agro-processing & environmental practices. Champion Farmer competition. (Last held 4/5/2010 - Easter Monday) [St Mary Ag Expo] |
| TBA | Liguanea Festival of Fine Art & Photography |
Liguanea Plaza, 134 Old Hope Road, Kingston | Jamaica's largest outdoor exhibition of the arts, featuring displays of photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry from over 70 of Jamaica's best artists. (Last held 4/25/2010) |
| MAY | |||
| 23 | Labour Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 23 | Manchester Horticultural Society Flower Show | Mandeville, Manchester | This horticultural society has met for 130 years and celebrates Spring with this well-respected flower show and competition. |
| 23 - 27 | Reggae Film Festival | Studio 38, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston | Attracts productions from around the world whose films depict aspects of Jamaican culture, music and history and the ways in which this music culture has impacted the world. [Reggae Film Fest] |
| 27-29 | Treasure Beach Bread Basket Festival | Two Seasons Guest House, Taino Cove Guest House, Frenchman’s Reef Restaurant, Jack Sprat, Sunset Resort and Villas, Calabash House, Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth | The Treasure Beach Bread Basket Festival replaces the Calabash International Literary Festival that ran from 2001-2010, offering cultural, culinary, musical, literary and visual art events at various locations. [Treasure Beach Bread Basket Festival] |
| JUNE | |||
| 8-13 | Caribbean Fashion Week | National Indoor Sports Centre, Independence Park, Kingston | The region's largest, most recognized and internationally respected fashion event. 10+ shows featuring around 50 designers from 25 countries. Entertainment at nightly After Parties. [Fashion Week] |
| 11 - 19 | 21st Annual Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival | Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica (& more events islandwide) | Features internationally renowned performers from the island itself and around the world. [Jazz Fest] |
| 17 | Jazz on the Pier | Ken Wright Pier, Ken Wright Drive, Port Antonio, Portland | Portland leg of Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival. |
| 18 | Treasure Beach Jazz Escape | Two Seasons Guest House, Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth | South Coast leg of Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival. [TB Jazz Escape] |
| TBA | Kingston on the Edge (KOTE) Urban Art Festival | Various venues in Kingston | This week-long festival provides a platform for contemporary artists to showcase their work - painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, film and just about every other type of art. (Last held 6/18 - 6/26/2010) [KOTE] |
| JULY | |||
| 1 | International Reggae Day | Islandwide | Jamaicans proudly sport reggae-colored clothes, blast the laid-back music out, drink Red Stripe beer and emanate peace and love. [Reggae Day] |
| 3 | Portland Jerk Festival | Folly Oval, Port Antonio, Portland | The aroma and sizzle of traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, pork, fish and lobster fills Port Antonio's Folly Estate at the annual Portland Jerk Festival. Local bands play, with cultural and popular entertainment throughout the day and evening. Craft vendors and plenty of activities for the kids. [Portland Jerk Festival] |
| 10 | Little Ochi Seafood Carnival | Seafront at Alligator Pond, Manchester | A celebration of seafood and music that entertains crowds of up to 6,000 through to the early hours. The food is varied and delicious. The music comes courtesy of big name bands. |
| 16 - 24 | Makka Pro Surf Contest | Southaven, Yallahs, St Thomas | Jamaica's biggest Pro Surf Contest with the region's top professional surfers facing off for over US$10K. Attracts wave-worshipers from Jamaica, the Caribbean, USA and other corners of the world. [Makka Pro] |
| 21 - 23 | Reggae Sumfest 2011 | Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, St James |
World-renowned performers take to the stage for a series of parties and gigs in Montego Bay at Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest, the reggae event of the summer. [Sumfest] |
| TBA | ATI Weekend | Negril, Westmoreland |
The original series of sizzling parties at various venues in Negril. (Last held 7/28- 8/3/2010) [ATI] |
| TBA | Smirnoff Dream Weekend | Negril, Westmoreland |
More great parties in Negril. Premium all-inclusive event, complete with parties created by the Dream Team. Held on independence weekend, it has been a part of the Jamaican entertainment calendar for the last 9 years. (Last held 7/30- 8/2/2010) [Dream Weekend] |
| 31 | Seville Emancipation Jubilee | Seville Great House, Heritage Park, St Ann | This festival is an amalgamation of Jamaican folk forms in celebration of African ancestors and their contribution to Emancipation. The festival is held at the end of July in Ocho Rios, and coincides with the anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The Seville Heritage Park is transformed into an atmosphere of festivity encompassing African culture |
| TBA | Denbigh Agricultural & Industrial Show | Denbigh Showground, May Pen, Clarendon | The most celebrated agricultural show in Jamaica. The show features outstanding livestock, agricultural and horticultural exhibits from all 14 parishes. (Last held 7/31- 8/2/2010) [Denbigh Ag Show] |
| AUGUST | |||
| 1 | Emancipation Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| TBA | 4th Annual Ocho Rios Seafood Festival | Turtle River Park, Ocho Rios, St Ann | Aside from the great seafood, the festival is a day-night affair and has a family-oriented theme throughout. There is a children area with swings, rides and bounce-about, while the rest of the park is decorated with food stalls and display booths. (Last held 8/1/2010) |
| TBA | Mello-Go-Roun' | National Arena, Independence Park, Kingston | This festival of performing arts showcases the nation's best talent. The annual event includes a variety concert, traditional dances such as the Maypole and Quadrille and different forms of folklore. The event takes place in Kingston in August, and attracts a large following of all ages. (Last held 8/4/2010) |
| 6 | Independence Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 6 | Bath Breadfruit Festival | Bath, St Thomas | Live music, poetry, the Parade of the Re-enactment of the First Planting, drumming and Kumina dancing all celebrate the humble breadfruit at Bath's annual Breadfruit Festival held annually on Independence Day. |
| 6 | National Independence Float Parade and Grand Gala | National Stadium, Kingston | Celebrates Jmaica's independence from Great Britain on August 6, 1962, with grand floats, costumed groups, classic cars, music and marching bands. |
| SEPTEMBER | |||
| TBA | Montego Bay Yacht Club Fishing Tournament | Montego Bay Yacht Club, Montego Bay, St James |
Whopping great marlin are excitedly hauled out of the sea off the coast of Montego Bay at the annual Montego Bay Yacht Club Fishing Tournament. Around 15 teams compete in this tournament. [MBYC Fishing Tourney] |
| TBA | Falmouth Blue Marlin Tournament | Falmouth, Trelawny | Falmouth gets very excited about one of Jamaica's favorite fish at the annual Blue Marlin Tournament. The competition is a big deal in the local area and attracts anglers from home and abroad |
| OCTOBER | |||
| TBA | 47th Annual Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament | Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio, Portland | Anglers from all over the world strive to catch the biggest marlin at Jamaica's thrilling Port Antonio Blue Marlin Tournament at the Errol Flynn Marina. (Last held 10/11- 10/16/2010) [Errol Flynn Marina] |
| 15 - 17 | Hook N' Line Fishing Tournament | Calabash Bay, Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth | South Coast fishing competition. [Hook N' Line] |
| 17 | National Heroes' Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| NOVEMBER | |||
| TBA | Jamaica Restaurant Week | Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios | The island's finest restaurants tempt diners with discount prices on three-course dinners. (Last held 11/4- 11/20/2010) [JA Restaurant Week] |
| DECEMBER | |||
| 3 | International Reggae Marathon | Long Bay Beach Park, Negril, Westmoreland |
Mellow Negril gets surprisingly active at the annual Reggae Marathon. Competitors take on either the full marathon or half marathon. (Last held 12/2- 12/4/2010) [Reggae Marathon] |
| TBA | Rally Jamaica | Kingston | Ear-splitting screeches and the throaty revving of engines deafen spectators standing around loose-gravel stages in Kingston at the annual Rally Jamaica, organized by the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club. (Last held 12/3- 12/5/2010) [Rally JA] |
| TBA | Grosvenor Galleries Christmas Art & Craft Fair | 1 Grosvenor Terrace, Kingston 8 | Mix of fine art, craft, clothing, ceramics, photography, jewelry (both locally handmade and imported). (Last held 12/4- 12/5/2010) |
| TBA | Christmas Country Fair | Hotel Mockingbird Hill, Port Antonio, Portland | All-day affair represents a great opportunity to stock up on unique and authentic Christmas presents. (Last held 12/5/2010) [Hotel Mockingbird Hill] |
| TBA | JDF Annual Air Carol Service | Number One Hockey Field, Up Park Camp, Kingston | Jamaica Defence Force's annual open-air festival of holiday music. Appreciative audiences sing along, filling the December night with songs of praise and worship. (Last held 12/7/2010) [JDF] |
| TBA | 6th Annual Jamaica Invitational Pro-Am Golf Tournament | Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort Rose Hall, Montego Bay, St James |
Teams comprising a certified PGA Professional and three amateurs compete in the Jamaica Invitational Pro-Am winter tournament. (Last held 12/8- 12/12/2010) [JA Pro-Am] |
| TBA | Kumba Mi Yabba Craft Fair | Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, Kingston | Large open-air holiday craft fair showcasing a wide range of authentic Jamaican products, including ceramic items, paintings, carvings, household accessories, aromatherapy items, clothing, accessories and local cuisines. (Last held 12/17- 12/19/2010 |
| TBA | Association of Jamaica Potters Arts & Crafts Fair | Forestry Department grounds, 173 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8 | Items by local artists including paintings, prints, sculpture, jewelry, candles, handmade soaps, castor oil products, straw hats and bags. (Last held 12/18- 12/19, 2010) |
| TBA | Market on the Lawn Christmas Fair | North lawn of Devon House, Waterloo Rd., Kingston | Big holiday open-air art and craft market. (Last held 12/19/2010) [Market at the Lawn] |
| TBA | Jamaica Curry Festival | Turtle River Park, Ocho Rios, St Ann | The Curry Festival showcases the creativity of local chefs who craft a variety of dishes, using the featured spice – curry. Attendees also learn about the history and origin of curry, and multiple ways curry can be used for medicinal purposes. Top music entertainment; enjoy cultural performances and activities for children. (Last held 12/19/2010) |
| 25 | Christmas Day |
PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 26 | Boxing Day | PUBLIC HOLIDAY | |
| 26 | Sting | Jamworld, Portmore, St Catherine | Eagerly anticipated as the greatest reggae/dancehall festival each year, Sting is the biggest one night show. Traditionally held on Boxing Day. |
| 31 | Harbour Fest & Fireworks on the Waterfront | Downtown Harbour, Kingston | Pride-filled Jamaicans from across the island, ring in the New Year with the phenomenal fireworks display on the Downtown Harbour. This free event features a Kiddies village, a massive craft vendors’ arcade and great family entertainment on stage. |
crazy thing….im loving the line up of 2011 events.ITALIX the reminder!!!!!!!!!!!!loving it JA