Jamaica: Events

What is happening in Jamaica:

Jamaica's multi-racial population brings its traditions and various festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. All Jamaicans regardless of their ethnic origins or religious bent celebrate these festivals.

January

• New Year's Day - January 1 - Public holiday
• Pineapple Cup Yacht Race

April

• Jamaica Carnival Week
• Easter Holidays - Good Friday Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (Easter Holidays are either in late March or early April)
• Jamaica GospelFest
• Carnival

The Jamaica Carnival Week begins the week after Easter weekend and runs for a week. It has been rising in great popularity in recent years and is certainly attracting several tourists to the island as calypso has caught on there.

May

• Labour Day - May 1 - Public Holiday
• Annual Martins International Reggae and World Music Award
• CGA Golf Classic
• Calabash International Literary Festival

June

• Annual Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival

July

• Jamaica Squash Open
• Red Stripe Reggae Sunsplash

August

• Reggae Sumfest
• Annual Jamaica Blues Jam

September

• Miss Jamaica Beauty Pageant
• Annual Montego Bay Yacht Club Marlin Tournament - four day tournament - early September.
• All That Heritage And Jazz Festival
• James Bond Oracabessa Marlin Tournament

Annual yacht tournament, which features participants from around the island as well as yachts from within the region.

October

• Terra Nova's Heritage Food Festival
• Annual National Mento Yard Festival
• Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament
• Peter Tosh Birthday Celebrations - October 19
• Annual Heineken Startime Music Festival
• Oktoberfest Festivals - October 30

This annual festival is a two-day event, which allows visitors the opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of the Caribbean.

November

• Jamerican Film and Music Festival
• Jamaica Groovefest
• Jamaican Air Carrier's Invitational Golf Tournament
• Annual St. Andrew Flower Arrangement & Garden Club
• St. Elizabeth Homecoming Festivals
• St. Elizabeth Homecoming Festivals
• Jamaica Caribbean Heritage Fest

The St. Andrew Flower Arrangement and Garden Club festival features some exotic floral arrangement from throughout the Caribbean as well as from United States and South America.

December

• Reggae Marathon
• Holland Bamboo Run
• South Coast Craft & Shrimp Festivals
• Heineken Startime Music Festival
• Christmas Day - December 25 - Public Holiday
• Boxing Day - December 26 - Public Holiday
• Reggae Superjam Music Festival
• Junkanoo

Junkanoo is a festivity, which has its origins in West Africa and was brought especially to the northern Caribbean by the slaves. There is great celebrations, music and masquerading in the streets.