If you’re already planning to take a vacation in Jamaica, a major festival is a great time to visit to make it a truly unique getaway.

Maybe you’re a foodie, so the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival or the Mobay Jerk Festival might be more your thing.

If you’re on the island for the first time and looking for where to go in Jamaica for a great place to party for singles and for couples, there are also week-long beach parties in both Montego Bay and Negril. 

Jamaica has something for all tastes so here are the top 10 festivals happening in 2023 in Jamaica. 

Blue Mountain Coffee Festival

Blue Mountain Coffee Festival returns to the cool hills of Newcastle in St. Andrew. This is the perfect hangout for coffee lovers or anyone who enjoys the pleasant aroma of ground coffee beans.

Patrons will enjoy a celebration of Jamaica's former cash crop and you will also learn about the journey of coffee.

It's the only festival of its kind in the Caribbean, so book your tickets early. 

When: March 25 

Stay Connected with Blue Mountain Coffee Festival
Instagram: @jamaicacoffeefest

Reggae Sumfest


Sumfest is a musical sensation taking place in Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Coined as ‘the greatest reggae show on Earth’, we couldn’t agree more - and what a beautiful setting for it to take place.

Every evening, sensational themed parties lead up to a weekend of music from sundown to sunup with some of the best reggae stars from far and wide making for a world-class lineup.

This truly memorable ‘bucketlist’ Jamaican experience with its unique energy is must.

When: July 16 - 22

Stay Connected with Sumfest on
Instagram: @ReggaeSumfest
Facebook: @ReggaeSumfest
Twitter: @ReggaeSumest

Carnival in Jamaica


Jamaica’s annual carnival rules the month of April and a little before as many hit the gym to get that perfect body for their costume.

Colorful feathers, sequins, and barely there costumes and beautiful makeup are only the last days; before that there are parties to attend, songs and dances to learn, drinks to be drunk and soca can be heard everywhere you go.

The idea is to have fun and let go with the fervor building towards the all-night mud and paint-covered festivities of Jouvert and then on to ‘Pretty Mas’ the road march everyone associates most with the party atmosphere of carnival.

The pricey costumes are not a must, most parties are low cost for the entry fee, and many not marching line the streets the day of the road march partying along with the revelers. 

When: April 12 - 18 

Rebel Salute


Rebel Salute is one of the world’s best reggae music festivals that takes place at Plantation Cove in St. Ann.

Started by reggae icon Tony Rebel, his focus is to promote the best of Jamaica.

This is apparent in the unique tradition of Dancehall artists performing songs with ‘clean’ lyrics under their own names vs. their stage names.

This family-friendly music festival allows free entry to kids under the age of 12, but restricts those under 18 from entering certain areas like their mini enclosure ‘Herb Curb’ created to offer education about the uses of marijuana in various industries. 
 

When: January 20 & 21

Stay Connected with Rebel Salute on
Instagram: @RebelSalute
Facebook: @RebelSaluteJamaica
Twitter: @RebelSalute
   

Reggae Month

This isn’t one festival but an entire month celebrating the iconic Jamaican music familiar to the world.

The main day of celebration is February 6, the birthday of reggae legend, Bob Marley, with a concert held at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.

Rastafarian flags color the streets and the crowds sway to sweet reggae sounds as fans from all over the world flock to Jamaica.

Concerts showcase top musical artists and there are art exhibitions and other celebrations. 

When: February

Jamaica Food & Drink Festival 



In late October, every foodie in Kingston and some from even farther away buy tickets to the different culinary-themed nights in various locations across the capital city.

No matter your budget or tastes there is something for everyone at Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, whether it’s the food truck event at a low cover charge with a pay-as-you-nibble arrangement, distinct influenced nights like Asian Fusion, or the wine-paired gourmet dinner.

No matter what, you’re sure to find something to make your mouth water.
 

When: October

Stay Connected with Jamaica Food Festival on
Instagram: @JAFoodAndDrink
Facebook: @JAFoodAndDrink
Twitter: @JAFoodAndDrink

Calabash International Literary Festival 


One of the most respected cultural events in the Jamaican calendar, Calabash rivals the likes of Cheltenham and Bath literary festivals and is hugely attractive for its spectacular exotic location, held in the fishing village of Treasure Beach.

This promises to be a magical experience for culture lovers to indulge in the numerous fantastic talks from novelists to poets, all celebrating the English language and its great masters.

When: May 26 - 28

Stay Connected with Calabash Festival on
Instagram: @CalabashFestival
Facebook: @CalabashJamaica
Twitter:@CalabashFest
 

GATFFEST


The GATFFEST Film Festival originated from the Greater August Town Film Project and was created as an outlet for graduates of the UWI Community Film Project to showcase the films that were produced during the course or any other films that they would like to produce and would like to enter into the festival.

The event screened their work along with that of other local and international independent filmmakers.

Since then, the festival has grown significantly, receiving numerous international and local submissions every year serving as a platform for the exposure of filmmaking talents of directors, producers, casts, and crews and features premieres, special events, and panel discussions with stakeholders in tourism, academia, and the film industry.

When: June 22 - July 3


Stay Connected with GATFFEST
Instagram: @gatffest
Facebook: @gatffest
Twitter: @gatffest

Mobay Jerk Festival



This family-friendly food festival showcases authentic Jamaican culinary delights within a cultural context, exploring the history of the jerk food methodology from its Taino and Maroon roots and the morphing of the Jamaican dish over the years.

Set in an environment of family fun with music and other entertainment elements throughout the event. 

When: August

Stay Connected with Mobay Jerk Festival
Facebook: @MontegoBayJerkFest
Twitter: @MobayJerkFest

Jamaica Festival

This period showcases many exciting events which spotlight the talents of Jamaicans.

The float parade and grand gala brought back in 2008 form the zenith of the celebrations and have helped to strategically revitalize and engender the nostalgic Independence celebrations.

The festival is hosted by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) as only one part of their efforts and activities throughout the year to grow our cultural heritage and celebrate our rich past in the performance arts island-wide.  

When: July 31 – August 6

For other festivals throughout the year, check Jamaica Experiences' event calendar.