Major Festivals to Visit at Jamaica

Published on: 25 July 2018 Last Updated on: 30 July 2024
Jamaica

Jamaica is at the heart of one of the most vibrant travel destinations in the world. The Caribbean holds all the music and energy that you would ever want in a travel destination. Whether you are looking to let your hair down, or go on the culture tour that takes you out of your comfort zone, Jamaica might be one of the best places to visit.

When it comes to festivals in Jamaica, there’s no better way to let go and enjoy yourself. No matter which time of the year you’re angling for, Jamaica villa rentals with staff would have one festival or other.
Let’s look at some of the festivals that should be on your list if you’re visiting Jamaica this year.

1. Rebel Salute :

A drug-free, violence-free, alcohol-free environment in a music festival? One of my problems with music festivals has always been this culture of violence and partying. However, the biggest reggae festival in the world is completely peaceful, and the perfect place to let go and dance. Held in the Plantation Cove at St. Ann, this festival gives a salute to Reggae legend Tony Rebel and is one of the places which would make you feel great.

Pro-tip, this is still the biggest reggae festival in the world. When it starts in the second or third week of January, make you have your villas booked from before, and that you plan your trip out.
If you are taking your kids in, know that the ones under 12 years get free tickets, and they’re allowed to go to most places too.

2. Accompong Maroon Festival :

If you are planning to let your hair down at Rebel Salute, try out the January 6th celebration by The Maroons. These guys were slaves who got freedom, and even made the British sign a peace treaty, no less than a hundred years before slavery was abolished.

The Maroon festival at Accompong celebrates the spirit of the Maroon people and offers delectable local cuisine and festivities without any problem. Enjoy the local festivities and get to know of the local history of the tribe, and of their hero Cudjoe who went ahead and got them the peace treaty back in 1739.
Pro-tip, Accompong is a sleepy town, so make sure to have another place as your base and keep this up as a one day trip.

3. Reggae Month :

From Rebel Salute to the Reggae Month. The third week of January is what celebrates Tony Rebel, but, the month-long celebration of Reggae music starts on February 6th. Kicking off at the iconic Bob Marley museum on February 6th, this is a decade-old festival that has captured the fantasy of the entire world.

Go through the local cuisine, visit the numerous concerts and visit the various parades throughout the towns. You can make sure that Reggae, the spirit is alive. One of the reasons for this fantastic celebration has been to protect the music genre and preserve it for yourself. Throughout the whole month, there are art exhibitions and Rasta flags decorating the streets.

Make sure to book your villas months ahead because Reggae Month is one of the busiest months in Jamaica tourism and finding the perfect place to stay at can be terrible.

4. Tmrw.Today Culture Festival :

From local culture to yoga, this is the space to beat if you want to experience Jamaica in full. This quiet festival is new, but, has become a focal point of the local tourist experience. The festival invites experienced trainers from all over the world, musicians playing a variety of music and celebrate the vibrancy that runs through the veins of Jamaica.

The small town of Negril transforms completely to embrace the culture of reggae and healing. If letting your hair down and being stress-free is what you are looking for, this Culture Festival is one of the best places you can go to.

5. The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival :

Come October, Kingston dresses up for going on a beautiful food and drink festival. The seafood and meat culture of Jamaica is downright legendary, and come October; the locals come out in droves to celebrate the culture and love behind the cuisine.

All the restaurants hold annual celebrations which include lovely dishes of every single type. On the other hand, there are hundreds of food trucks throughout the city, just offering the best of the local food to you. Forget the kitchen at the villa, start walking around and discover a different kind of adventure for yourself. You will never be lacking in enthusiasm as the locals push you with their vibrant lifestyles.

6. Liguanea Art Festival :

You need to visit the art of every place you go to. The Liguanea Art Festival has grown in multitudes over the past few years. One of the most beautiful things about this festival is that the owners listen to the local people, and always have a finger in the pulse of the art scene.

Make sure to buy yourself souvenirs of the up and coming artists. The jewelry, the tribal stories, if you want to get a view of how Jamaica is, make sure to visit this festival when Spring comes round.
Jamaica is one of those places that should be at the forefront of any cultural tour. So, if tomorrow’s vacation is about finding out about life, people spend across the seas, visit the festivals peppering Jamaica’s landscape.

Make sure to book in advance because Jamaica is famous, and also go ahead and try out the local foods, the local music, and remember to dance a little.

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