Jamaica — Events
Little Ochi Seafood Carnival
July 1, 2010 - July 31, 2010
Party ‘til dawn at the The Little Ochi Seafood Carnival, 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 from Jamaica such as soca legends Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and many more.
Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2012
This festival showcases a range of genres including country, jazz, reggae and R&B. Past artists have included John Legend, Shaggy, James Ingram, Air Supply, Al Green, KEM, Morgan Heritage, Tami Chynn, Richie Stephens and Bo Diddley. This top-level musical treat in delightful surroundings always proves popular, and hungry concert-goers can grab a bite to eat from the many booths offering Jamaican specialties and products.
All Stages Rally Jamaica
February 2, 2012 - February 8, 2012
The All Stages Rally Jamaica sees a field of 30-plus speedy motors tackling a wide variety of terrain across the countryside of Jamaica, finishing outside the Jamaica Tourist Board after a run through the streets of New Kingston. Home-based teams are joined by others from the Caribbean and Europe in a thrilling international line-up of custom cars presented at the scrutineering session and Parc Expose before the start of the race. Leg 1 starts at Petcom Naggo Head in the early hours and includes Lydford and Reynolds.
Carnival
February 12, 2012 - April 30, 2012
The ‘big one’ on Jamaica is Carnival. Held every April, the build up starts with preparations way back in January. Reggae and soca music give Jamaica Carnival, also known as Bacchanal, its essential Caribbean flavor, while the crowd provides the electric atmosphere. Outside of Kingston, the Carnival is also celebrated in parishes such as Negril, Mandeville, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, each competing fiercely to outdo each other before ‘Las Lap’ - the final, epic, jump up party.
Easter Regatta
April 18, 2012 - April 25, 2012
For those who enjoy getting their feet wet, or just feeling the spray from the safety of a harborside bar, Jamaica’s Easter Regatta held, in stunning surroundings by the Montego Bay Yacht Club, is undoubtedly an annual highlight, enjoyed by spectators and sailing participants in equal measure.
Calabash International Literary Festival
May 1, 2012 - May 31, 2012
The only international literary festival in the English-speaking Caribbean, Calabash was founded in 2001 by novelist Colin Channer. Over 30 authors feature at the festival and, together with musicians from around the world, they fill the festival agenda with readings, discussions and musical events. Calabash is ‘earthy, inspirational, daring and diverse’. Its aims are to establish a world-class literary festival, with its roots in Jamaica and branches reaching out into the wider world.
Portland Jerk Festival
July 1, 2012 - July 15, 2012
The ultimate celebration of this quintessentially Caribbean cooking technique is the Portland Jerk Festival held every July 4th, when the mouthwatering aroma of sizzling barbeque, served with traditional dishes such as rice and peas, breadfruit and yams, wafts to every corner of Portland Parish at the northeastern tip of the island.
Reggae SumFest
July 7, 2012 - July 22, 2012
Billed with good reason as ‘the greatest Reggae show on Earth’, Sumfest is a week-long reggae and dancehall music festival extravaganza packing thousands into an epic open-air venue in the island’s unofficial party capital of Montego Bay. There are nights for the local island acts to perform and international nights see the biggest reggae, R&B and soul stars from around the world flying in, to take the stage.
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
July 31, 2012
June is Jazz Month in the resort of Ocho Rios which spills over into the city of Kingston. This is reckoned to be Jamaica’s complete jazz vacation for visitors and locals alike, which each year attracts well over 5,000 people. Previous performers have included such acts as the Houston Person Quartet, Joe Sizemore and the Jamaica Big Band. The program includes jam sessions, community concerts and a school band competition during eight days of music and entertainment with family and community participation.
Jamaican Independence
August 29, 2012
Jamaica springs to life with music and dancing when the island commemorates the anniversary of its independence, which took place in 1962. Parades, awash with costumes depicting different aspects of Jamaican life and history, sashay through the center of Kingston during the gala event. Celebrations run up to Emancipation Day on the 6th of August, when traditional Junkanoo dancers rhythmically relive the days of slavery, and modern day Jamaican culture is celebrated in all its exotic glory.
