It’s the most wonderful time of the year for those who celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Families gather, presents are exchanged and the season brings out the best in family, friends, and strangers.

Many people have a bit of a difficult time imagining what Christmas looks like on an island; after all, there’s no snow, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, or stockings hung up over a roaring fireplace.

Well, that’s a maybe on that last one. 

But did you realise it actually does get chilly at Christmas time in Jamaica, with many locals baffling visitors because you’ll spot jackets and shawls and a few folks shivering as the Christmas breezes pick up.

Indeed, many folks up in the mountains enjoy a good crackling fire.


Favorable weather for fun

It’s just past hurricane season and the skies actually unveil bright sunshine for perfect beach days, which lines up nicely for families heading out for a fun day during the season, playing in the sand and surfing at many public beaches across the country. Many local families even take full advantage of the hotels that dot the island.


Some hotels and attractions also offer welcoming rates for locals so if you’re in Jamaica staying with family, you might be able to get in on that bonus of being an islander for the holidays!

What else makes a Jamaican Christmas?

There are traditions that date back to the colonial days as well as some that sprung up over time. One such tradition that remains strong is Grand Market.

Towns, small communities, and even the main cities on the island celebrate this age-old family tradition. Everyone gets dressed up on Christmas Eve and heads to Grand Market where you can shop for food and toys at this combination festival and market.


Christmas Eve Grand Market

Some even wait until this moment to buy the perfect outfit for the evening celebrations that get into full swing starting at sundown.

The streets are filled with Christmas lights and music and the smell of good food is in the air as everyone has a grand old time, with the festivities sometimes lasting into the wee hours of the morning.


Christmas morning in Jamaica

Many, however, break to ensure they are in church for Midnight Mass while others head to early morning services on Christmas Day and then head home for a traditional Jamaican breakfast of ackee and saltfish with green bananas, breadfruit, fried plantains accompanied by fresh fruit juice and tea or cocoa.

The main Christmas meal in Jamaica is a late lunch for most, with a large Christmas ham usually taking center stage.



Jamaican Christmas dishes

Other complimentary meals vary from household to household, but rice and peas is normally a staple while other sides may include candied yams, potato salad, or macaroni and cheese.

Along with the traditional ham, you will usually find roasted pork or chicken (versus jerked which isn’t a common meal on this occasion), or other traditional Jamaican cuisine like Curried Goat or Oxtail.

Sometimes these more traditional dishes are saved for the evening meal. What you will always find however is that almost everyone drinks Sorrel, usually with ginger.

Some like theirs sweet and some like it unsweetened but rest assured you will be offered a glass everywhere you go. 


It used to be made at home from scratch and many pride themselves on their recipe, but nowadays you can pick some up in the local supermarket.

Dessert is usually in the form of a potent dark rum cake. Sometimes it is served with a creamy brandy sauce but the main slice is strong enough all on its own as the baked-in fruit has been soaking in rum for months before Christmas time! 

Although also now available in supermarkets, the best fruit cake still seems to be those with recipes handed down through generations and made with loads of rum and wine and a lot of love.

Traditionally the season is about the family coming together to make Christmas pudding, sorrel and preparing the ham the way their parents, grandparents, and ancestors have made it over the years.

Jamaican Christmas traditions

Some things that are common are to reflect the spirit of the season, such as envelopes of cash given to postmen and trash collectors, and other community workers, while temporary workforces are created to clean up streets from trash, and for landscaping and highway maintenance.

Other traditions may differ a little such as the annual home makeover.

While other countries have spring cleaning, Jamaicans will go all out to fix up their homes for the season.

Some homes are given a fresh coat of paint and the house is usually cleaned from top to bottom, new furniture may be purchased and curtains hung.


Like many cultures from all over the world, there are traditional Christmas linens such as hand towels and tablecloths that come out once a year.

Also, Jamaicans somehow have a knack for finding a way to add details others may not have thought of like Christmas doilies and cushions to compliment the setting of colorful Christmas lights and a beautifully-decorated Christmas tree.

Some get a traditional fresh-cut Cypress tree from the mountains while others opt for an artificial one. Like many places where snow doesn’t fall, cans of fake snow are available to draw snowflakes on the window to make a pretend white Christmas!


Annual Christmas pantomime

Another Christmas tradition reflects the British colonial past of the island which is the annual opening of the pantomime on Boxing Day (December 26).

The original pantomime was similar to England’s tradition of putting on a fairytale for the whole family.

The Jamaican pantomime put on annually by the Little Theatre Movement (LTM) took on its own personality and moved away from stories like ‘Jack & The Beanstalk’ and started to tell the stories of the island and her people, such as a traditional Taino princess or a runaway slave’s epic romance.

Every year a brand new original play opens as always on Boxing Day and remains a fun evening out for the entire family.

Jonkanoo & street parades

Other older traditions can still be seen on occasion, however, they have become rare, such as ‘Jonkanoo’, or ‘John Canoe’. Performers dress up and are masked to portray specific characters, such as Cowhead and Pitchy Patchy.

This too has a touch of the colonial days across the islands, as it sprang from festivities by the slaves when given the time off. The Jamaican version is reflective of the English courts as well, with a King and Queen and courtier characters.

There is also usually a devil and others depending on the island.

In Jamaica, the dancers can sometimes be enjoyed on other cultural days of celebration such as Emancipation Day.

The tradition is not as strong as it once was and is now treated more as an historical reference at ceremonies, although if you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse around Christmas time.

Caroling service by Jamaican soldiers

Every year in the middle of December, if you’re in Kingston you can head to the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) parade grounds, at Up Park Camp, for a magical Christmas Caroling service. The military of Jamaica put on quite the show at this outdoor event.

Jamaican Christmas music playlist

A Christmas tradition you know and love is alive and well in the form of music beyond caroling services. You’ll be sure to hear some familiar tunes as you stroll almost anywhere there is a store. 

From the newest American or British pop star’s latest rendition of an old favorite like ‘Santa Baby’, to a gospel choir’s heart-tugging rendition of ‘O Holy Night’, the airwaves start playing these beloved Christmas carols from as early as November, as stores fill up with Christmas gift ideas and Christmas decorations.

Listen up though as you’ll hear some unique takes on old staples, such as Shaggy’s reggae version of the Little Drummer Boy called ‘Jamaican Drummer Boy’ (with a few tweaked lyrics to match the setting), Faith D Aguilar’s humorous ‘Santa Ketch Up Enna Di Mango Tree’, Noel Dexter’s more religious ‘Sing Di Chorus’ or Carlene Davis’ heart-rending ‘Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto)?’.
                                                

Put Christmas in Jamaica on your bucket list

Whether you’re in Jamaica for your Christmas vacation or visiting family on the island for a traditional Jamaican Christmas experience, the reason for the season will always remain the same as does the heart of it all; good food, good cheer, warm spirits, and goodwill.

Check out the recipes section at Jamaica Experiences for suggestions on how to make traditional Jamaican Christmas dishes like Christmas ham, sorrel, and delicious Christmas pudding, so even if you aren’t visiting the island you can bring a little of the warmth of the island into your home.

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