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Jamaica Carnival As the biggest cultural celebration, Jamaica Carnival takes place at Easter time in Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, and includes flamboyantly costumed groups which parade and dance in the streets.
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It also consists of Soca parties, reggae and calypso bands, kiddies’ parade and much more.
Negril Carnival
It is held at the end of July or early August, and Negril gets rocking with parades, floats, soca parties, mento band competitions, Jonkanoo and gerreh dancing.
Caribbean Heritage Fest
This is a popular festival taking place in late November at the Jamworld Entertainment Center in St. Catherine (Kingston). It features sounds, sights and tastes of the islands and also offers visitors the opportunity to experience the unique yet diverse culture of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.
Jamaica Independence Day Parade
This parade is held on Independence Day, August 6th, starting at Kings House in Kingston. It is a gala parade of costumed and uniformed groups, including traditional Jonkanoo and modern dancers showcasing a cross section of Jamaican culture.
Give Thanks Gospel Festival
Held in early January this Negril festival at DeBuss features Father Ramsey, Judy Mowatt and other gospel singers.
Rebel Salute
Held in mid-January in the hills of Manchester at Brooks Park, this is a forum for cultural and creative expressions in music in its contemporary form.
Accompong Maroon Festival
Held in early January in Accompong, St. Elizabeth, this is an annual celebration by the Accompong Maroons of Western Jamaica, with traditional dancing, singing, maroon feasts and ceremonies, blowing of the abeng and playing of maroon drums. The festival dates back to the 19th Century and commemorates the successful Maroon insurgency against the English who enslaved them.
Trelawny Yam Festival
This is a fun event held at the Albert Town High School in Trelawny, which includes a street parade followed by the Yam Farmers Competition, Culinary Competition, as well as Best Dressed Donkey and Goat Competitions.
Emancipation Wake
This event held at Seville, St. Ann near Ocho Rios in the beginning of August, coincides with the celebration of Independence nationwide and commemorates the full emancipation of slavery in Jamaica through song and dance.
Mento Yard
Held in October at the Seville Great House in St. Ann near Ocho Rios, this popular festival showcases Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage through song, dance and craft items.
