Whether you want to delve into Kingston’s world-famous culture or strike out to a dreamy resort on the North Coast, Jamaica has something special for you.
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That being said, Jamaica, like other Caribbean countries, can be a little tough to navigate if you’ve previously stuck to all-inclusive resorts. While staying on resort grounds is par for the course for many travelers, you’ll be missing out on a long list of sports, music, food, and other lifestyle events.
Lucky for you, Visit Jamaica has put together a list of the island’s coolest events that tourists can join this summer. Even better, the website has a new trip-builder feature that you can use to keep track of the opportunities that interest you.
Here’s what you need to know about both.
Summer events to put on your calendar in Jamaica
Here are some of the best events on the calendar across the island. Most take place in August, but there’s an upcoming bike tour that you might want to check out (listed first).
- Discover Jamaica by Bike (30 April – 4 May): Cycle from Montego Bay to Negril, traversing 400 miles across Jamaica and 14 parishes. Along the way, you’ll get to experience local food, culture, and more.
- Reggae Sumfest (18 July): Hear the stylings of two of Jamaica’s top reggae sets, Vybz Kartel and Mavado. If you’re new to dancehall and reggae and want a master class, look no further.
- Dream Weekend (July 30 – 3 August): A multi-day festival set in Montego Bay where local legends and artists like Shaneil Muir and Tommy Lee throw some of the island’s coolest parties. Aside from great vibes and music, expect the unexpected, including ATV rides and go-karting.
- Mobay Jerk Festival (1 August): Take a bite out of Jamaica’s famous jerk cuisine culture. This event brings in thousands and includes family-friendly activities like a Jonkunnu showcase and steel band.
- Best Weekend Ever (6-10 August): This is a ‘multi-sensory event series’, meaning you expect multi-media art, immersive experiences, and other highly creative exhibits. This year’s theme is ‘Escape to Paradise’, if that paints a better picture.
- AnimeCom Fest (15-16 August): Join the Jamaican anime scene at this two-day event. You’ll get to check out cosplay, anime, and gaming with various performances, panels, and exhibits.
- Amalgamation: The Global Gala (28-30 August): This international dance gala combines storytelling and cultural expression, showcasing what makes Jamaican dance unique. Following the Global Gala in Kingston, the group will begin their tour, including places like Connecticut and New York.
There are also a few events to keep in mind if you’re visiting in December, including:
- Mouttet Miel (5 December): Come check out the Caribbean’s most high-octane horse race, which, much like the Kentucky Derby, has a heavy social element.
- Reggae Marathon (6 December): Head to Kingston’s waterfront to listen to live reggae music… which will head along a route that passes by the city’s Port Royal Street, Art Walk, and more. You can boogie your way around town in pure Jamaican style.
- Treasure Beach Food, Rum, & Reggae Festival (7 December): A reggae and dancehall festival with famous names like Capleton and Agent Sasco. Aside from music, you can expect rum tastings. Best of all, this is a community-driven event with proceeds going to much-needed agriculture restoration projects.
How to use the trip builder from Visit Jamaica
You have a lot to sink your teeth into with the events listed above. But you can also shop around for similar events, experiences, and event resorts straight on the Visit Jamaica website. Thanks to the trip-builder feature, you can keep track of the places and experiences that interest you.
What I really like about the trip builder is that it has a map view, letting you get a bird’s eye view. As a visual traveler, that’s important because it helps me finalize my itinerary before making my bookings.
Here’s how it works:
- Visit the website and start exploring hotels, restaurants, and other topics that interest you
- When you find something you want to save, look for a little heart emoji and ‘add to your trip’ link, which is located next to the name of the hotel/restaurant/etc
- When you’re done exploring, head to your TripBuilder page, which you can do by clicking ‘my trip’ after adding a listing
- Look over all the pages you’ve saved on your TripBuilder page to put together an itinerary—and don’t forget about the map view
