Some tourists travel to Jamaica for the sole purpose of experiencing one of their many festivals while others happen to stumble upon them purely on accident, giving them one more reason to come back. Although there always seems to be a reason to celebrate on this island, there are a few cultural, musical and artistic festivals that should just not be missed!
- Accompong Maroon Festival – Captain Cudjoe’s birthday is celebrated January 6th. He is well-known and respected for defeating the English army. The Maroons are celebrated with a feast, singing, dancing, pounding of the Maroon drums and blowing the abeng horn. This an exciting way to celebrate Jamaican history and culture.
- Jonkanoo – This is Jamaica’s Christmas festival where West African heritage is celebrated by dressing in masquerade and partying in the streets.
- Reggae Sumfest – Montego Bay hosts this event the first full week in August every year. You can buy day, weekend or week-long passes. Some packages even include backstage passes! This is the perfect opportunity to hang out with the locals and other reggae lovers around the world who journey here for this week long event.
- National Festival of the Arts – This festival runs the entire summer. It showcases works by indigenous artists in painting, sculpture, crafts, photography, culinary arts, drama, song and dance. This festival also offers a whole lot of arts and crafts on sale for those who love to shop.
- Heritage Fest – Kingston hosts this annual fall festival that explores Jamaica’s diversity through food, music and dance. All aspects of every race in Jamaica are celebrated from Chinese fortune telling to Indian curry.
- Carnival – Of all Caribbean festivals, this certainly is the most popular. This enormous party covers the entire island with music, parades, dancing, costumes, shows and plenty of food, the entire week before Easter. This is one you don’t want to miss!
- Heineken Startime – Every winter in Kingston, the most significant musical event happens! The Heineken Startime features the year’s strongest line up of Jamaican music including reggae, ska, rocksteady and hip hop.
- Caribbean Fashion Week – If your passion is fashion, the top designers in the world gather in June at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston to feature their latest designs.
- Rebel Salute Music Festival – Kingston has been host to this event for 12 years. No meat, drugs or alcohol are welcome at this event that highlights folk traditions and the cultural roots of Jamaican music. This is a popular event to locals as well as international guests.
- All Jamaican Grill-Off – If you want to taste some of the best food of your life, be at Kingston’s Hope Gardens in June where teams of locals compete to see who can cook the best piece of meat.
- International Reggae Day – Typically celebrated in July, this festival is jam-packed with reggae lovers. It not only hosts talent shows but there is also a detailed lecture on Bob Marley. This concert is broadcasted worldwide.
- Jamaican Coffee Festival – This isn’t just a celebration to give you a fix of caffeine but to also acknowledge the slaves who worked in the coffee field during the British rise. The Jamaican Coffee Festival is found every fall in Kingston. You’ll be surrounded by merchants and farmers providing free samples of delicious coffee and other hot beverages as well as some related food.
No matter when you go to Jamaica, there is always something going on! Jamaicans are friendly folks who welcome visitors in their celebrations so instead of trying to avoid festivals like you would at some vacation destinations, these are festivals you want to schedule into your plans!