Calendar of Events
Things to do in Jamaica

Each month, each season, brings with it a new variety of things to do in Jamaica. I hope this calendar of events will be helpful to you. If you're planning your trip around a particular event, I would suggest that you double check dates with the event organisers before making a booking, in case there are late-in-the-day changes.

In each month I've listed the happenings in St. Elizabeth and the south coast first. Although not in the main tourist belt, this side of the island shouldn't be missed.

I'll keep adding to the list as soon as I learn of interesting, new things to do in Jamaica.

Things to do in Jamaica - the Summer Months

June

• Treasure Beach Jazz Escape. South Coast leg of Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival. Two Seasons Guest House, Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.



• Caribbean Fashion Week. National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston.

July

• Little Ochi Seafood Carnival - Great seafood, great music in Alligator Pond, Manchester (almost in St. Elizabeth, but not quite!).



• Sounds at Sunset - Music, Dance, Poetry and Dining at Sunset Resorts, Treasure Beach, July 25th at 6:30 pm.



• National Festival of the Performing Arts Finals - Little Theatre, Kingston.



• Portland Jerk Festival - at Folly in Portland, July 4, 2010.



• Festival Song Finals



• Festival Queen Coronation Show



• Reggae Sumfest - Jamaica's biggest Reggae Festival! July 17 - 24, 2010.



• National Dance Theatre Company - Season of Dance, last 2 weeks in July, Little Theatre, Kingston.



• Jamaica Gospel Song Finals - National Indoor Sports Centre, July 25, 2010.



• World Reggae Dance Championship - National Indoor Sports Centre, July 30 2010.



• Jamaica Food Festival - National Indoor Sports Centre, July 31-August 1, 2010.



• ATI Weekend - The original series of sizzling parties at various venues in Negril. July 30-Aug 2, 2010. www.atiweekend.com



• Denbigh Agricultural Show - the most celebrated agricultural show in Jamaica. Denbigh Show Grounds in Clarendon. July 31-Aug 2, 2010.

August

With Emancipation Day on August 1, and Independence Day on August 6, it's a month of special things to do in Jamaica. The culture of the island is on display in August more than in any other month, and the whole country is in a party mood!

• Heineken River Sundays - Emancipation Day, August 1 from 12pm-12am at Grossman River, Braes River St Elizabeth.Featuring ZJ Ice, Danger Zone, Jerry Kruga, kwaku Vybz , and King Ghetto. Free admission. Kids’ treat between 12 pm and 7 pm with popcorn machines, rides and refreshments. Come dressed in Jamaica colours for this Emancipation Party.



• Smirnoff Dream Weekend - More great parties in Negril. July 30-Aug 2, 2010. www.negrildreamweekend.com



• Denbigh Agricultural Show - the most celebrated agricultural show in Jamaica. Denbigh Show Grounds in Clarendon. July 31-Aug 2, 2010.



• Mello Go Roun - concert featuring the best of Jamaica's Festival of the Performing Arts, National Arena, August 4, 2010.



• National Independence Float Parade and Grand Gala - National Stadium in Kingston, on Independence Day, August 6. The biggest celebration of Jamaican culture.










Things to do in Jamaica - Summer's Over

September

• Miss Lou Birthday Celebrations - Cultural activities at venues across the island in honour of Jamaica's beloved Louise Bennett Coverly, a cultural pioneer, September 8, 2010.



• Falmouth Marlin Tournament - Falmouth, Trelawny.



• Port Antonio Marlin Tournament - Port Antonio, Portland. li>

October

• Hook 'n Line Tournament - Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.
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• Burger King 10k Run - Montego Bay. Call 876-922-8677.



• Heroes Day - October 18,2010. Civic ceremonies in all parishes honouring Jamaica's National Heroes.

November

• Holland Bamboo 5k Run - Holland Bamboo, St. Elizabeth. Call 876-922-8677.



• Restaurant Week - Various restaurants in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios offer reduced prices, showcasing the range of cuisine available in Jamaica.




Things to do in Jamaica - the Cool Months

December

If you're in Jamaica at Christmas time, make sure to check out Grand Market celebrations held in most major towns on the night before Christmas.

• GT Magnum Christmas Extravaganza - Reggae/Dancehall stage show held annually at Independence Park in Black River, St. Elizabeth. December 25, 2010.



• Black River New Year's Eve Jam - Waterloo Guesthouse, Black River, St. Elizabeth. Starts December 31, 2010.



• Reggae Marathon - Marahton, half marathon and shorter races held in Negril each year. www.reggaemarathon.com.
  
  
• Mento Band Competition Finals - Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Kingston. Exact date to be finalised. www.jcdc.org.jm



• Children's Jonkunnu Costume Parade - Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in Kingston. Exact date to be finalised. www.jcdc.org.jm



• East Fest - Reggae artistes come together in a celebration of Rastafarian Culture. Goodyear Oval, St. Thomas.



• Sting - Eagerly anticipated by dancehall fans each year, Sting is the biggest one night dancehall show. December 26, 2010, Jamworld Complex, Portmore.



• Harbour Fest and Fireworks on the Waterfront - December 31, 2010. Kingston Waterfront.

January

• Accompong Maroon Festival/Cudjoe's Celebration - January 6 each year at Accompong in St. Elizabeth.



• Rebel Salute - Reggae Stage Show held at Port Kaiser Sports Complex in
  St. Elizabeth. A Rasta-centric show with no alcohol, no meat, lots of smoke, and great music.



• Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival - a huge week long festival of R&B, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Latin and other music types. Main show nights at the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny. Visit Jamaica Jazz and Blues.



• High Mountain Coffee 10k and 5k Road Race - held in the hills of Manchester. A challenging, but extrememly popular race, starting at the overhead bridge in Williamsfield..

February

• Bob Marley birthday celebrations - Stage shows, exhibitions and other events at various locations around the island.
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• Hague Agricultural Show - held at Hague in Trelawny.





Things to do in Jamaica - It's Spring!

March

• Boys and Girls Championships (Champs) - National Stadium, Kingston. If you want to see why Jamaica produces great track and field athletes, this is the place to be.



• Trelawny Yam Festival - held in Albert Town, Trelawny.



• Spring Break activities - Negril has become Jamaica's Spring Break capital.

April

• St. Elizabeth Horticultural Society Annual Flower Show - held on Easter Monday at Independence Park in Black River. One of the most popular flower shows, with beautiful displays, plants on sale, live steel band and marching band music, fun stuff for kids. 876-965-2288



• Treasure Beach Off Road Triathlon - Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.



• Western Consciousness - Reggae Stage Show in Llandilo, Westmoreland. End of April.



• Curry Festival - Good food and entertainment, Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland. End of April.



• National Dance Theatre Company Sunrise Concert at Little Theatre in Kingston.

May

• Calabash International Literary Festival - a one-of-a kind 3 day festival right by the shore in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.



• Manchester Horticultural Society Flower Show - another good flower show. Held in Mandeville on Labour Day, May 23rd.



• National Labour Day Concert - held on Labour Day, May 23rd each year.li>

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