Jamaica News and Events

Annual Jamaica Events 

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Expo takes place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James mid October annually. 

Jamaica News and Events -Month of May.

• Food for the Poor 5k run/walk Emancipation Park Kingston Jamaica
• Jamaica Intl Invitational Meet – National Stadium Kingston Jamaica
• Jamnesia Surf Camp 8 Miles Bull Bay St Andrew  Starts 8.00 pm.  Live music, food and drinks on sale.

•  Mother’s Day Jazz at Red Bones Café –  Argyle Road Kingston  2.00 pm to 9.00 pm. 
• Lime Golf Academy New Kingston  Mothers’ Day event - 5.00-7.00 pm.
• Club Kokonutz Reading Montego Bay St James – Mother’s Day Event 

•  Annual Rose Hall Roast Festival at Long Beach Montego Bay -  Great food and live performances.  10.00 am to 2.00 am.
• Manchester Flower Show Mandeville  Manchester – 9.00 am to 3.00 pm – 

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• National Labour Day Concert on the Waterfront, Downtown Kingston Jamaica.  - Live music 8.00 pm till late.
•  Monthly exhibits  including special films and performances held at National Gallery of Jamaica 12 Ocean Boulevard Kingston.  11.00 am to 6.00 pm. 

Jamaica News and Events - April

• Montego Bay Yacht Club St James -   Easter Regatta 
• Bird Watching Walking Tour Hope Gardens Kingston/ All day event from 6.45am to 8.30am 18 and over.
• Smirnoff Bacchanal James Bond Beach, Oracabessa All inclusive with food and sale  1-10 pm 

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• April - St Elizabeth Jerk and Seafood  Festival  Manley Horne Park, Ballard’s Valley Junction  St Eliz.   – family based event with great foods.   Music by local artists Gates open 1- a 
•  Apr - Marbana Port Antonio, Frenchman’s cove Portland  Carnival celebrations  with music by  well known musicians  11 to 7pm.

• April Easter Mon – St Eliz horticultural society annual flower show Held at Independence Park Black River St Elizabeth
• April -  Carnival Breakfast celebration at Trident Castle Portland Must be 18 and over – 4 – 11pm
• Apr  - Dover Raceway  in St Ann Annual Easter Monday racing competition at Dover .  8am to 6pm

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• April - Bourbon Beach Party Negril  Westmoreland 
• April - Annual Easter Monday kite festival at Richmond Priory St Ann
• April - Hope Botanical Gardens Easter Sunday family fun day 1- to 7pm in Kingston

• April - Another kite festival and family full day scheduled to start 10 am at Seville Heritage Park, Priory St Ann.
• April -  Appleton Bacchanal Carnival at Mass Camp Stadium Kingston start 10.00 pm till late
• April - Jamnesia Surf Camp Bull Bay St Andrew  – live music, free entry and food and drink on sale. 
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• April -  Annual Carnival festivities in the streets of Kingston.  See the array of colours of parade bands and choose a winner while having a great fun day
•  April – James Treasure Beach Off Road Triathlon,. So get ready for a 500 meter swim , 25k mountain bike ride and 7k country run or like me, just be spectator! 

October – Octoberfest – Alhambra Inn Kingston An annual German festival organised by Jamaica’s German society-  featuring German foods beers and wines.

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 October  – Intl Reggae Wine Festival – MoBay – Wine displays and music by  well known Jamaican reggae artist, fair including fashion show, arts and crafts etc.  This events attracts wine enthusiasts worldwide

October Annual Port Morant Banana Festival – Held at Cotton Tree Port Morant St Thomas.

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 Oct - Nanny Day Celebrations – More Town Portland – Family fund day food and entertainment festival.  Entertainment includes live bands, drumming traditional dancing and singing. 

Clean up Jamaica Beaches - Sept 

Thousands of Jamaicans are expected to participate in the removal of garbage and other debris from the nation’s beaches, as Jamaica observes International Coastal Clean-Up Day 

The main project will be the cleaning of Fort Rocky on the Palisadoes Strip in Kingston, while the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) are collaborating to remove garbage from the Hellshire Beach in St. Catherine.

Volunteers wishing to participate in International Coastal Clean-Up Day can visit JET’s website at www.jamentrust.org to register.

Jamaica Product Exchange  Trade Show - Sept 

Over eighty local suppliers of goods and services, including manufacturers, will participate in the upcoming Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) trade show, through the coordinated efforts of the Tourism Linkages Hub and other partner entities. 

The annual event is staged by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). The three-day trade show is usually held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service (JIS)

Jamaica News and Events - July

The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show  is scheduled for first week in August at its usual venue of Denbigh Show Ground, Clarendon St Catherine Jamaica.

Jamaica news and events - July - Portland Jerk Festival Port Antonio Portland, Jamaica

Try some Jerk chicken, fish, pork and sea foods at this annual Jamaican Jerk Festival,

Lots to do for the kids and music by local bands with some cultural entertainment thrown in. A great experience for the whole family – don’t miss it.

July - Little Ochie's Seafood Carnival, Alligator Pond - 

A day of fun and great seafood to satisfy your cravings with music to get your toes tapping on Jamaica's south coast. 

Little Ochie Seafood Restaurant on the beach

All Jamaica Grill –July   

Email: alljamaicagrilloff@gmail.com  Contact: #8767964008

Jamaican cuisine at its tastiest at this all Jamaican grill event where patrons compete for first prize in their various Jamaican food preparations.  This is a family event so bring the kids and have a wonderful family fun day. 

Best food for the prize will be decided by crowd favourite.

July  Reggae Sumfest  Catherine Hall Mo Bay

 http://www.reggaesumfest.com/  

Enjoy Summer in Jamaica - Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay St James.  Check  their website for line-up.  Tickets also available on line.

Jamaica News and Events 

Jamaica news and events - April  (weekend) - Easter Regatta Montego Bay Yacht Club, Montego Bay, St James -  Easter Regatta cruises and yacht races.  

Contact: Phone:(876) 979-8038 or Fax: (876) 979-8262 

April  (Thur to Sunday) ITF Senior Tennis Championships Tryall Tennis Centre, Tryall Club, Montego Bay, St. James.

Watch Jim Courier v Karl Hale participate in this Jamaican Charity fund raising event.  

Find the best Montego Bay hotels deals here

April - (Sunday) Westmoreland Curry Festival at Mannings School, Savanna-la-Mar.

Jamaica News and Events - May 

May  - Manchester Horticultural Society Flower Show at

Showgrounds, Ward Avenue, Mandeville, Manchester

Annual Jamaica labour day horticultural flower show

May -  Annual Margaritaville Rose Hall Roast Festival

Lilliput Playing Field (next to Iberostar Hotel), Montego Bay, St. James

Annual Jamaica Labour Day food festival with live music by local musicians.

Find the best last minute Jamaica hotel deals

 May  - Jamaica Epicurean Escape 

Grizzlyls Plantation Cove, Priory St Ann

Intl food, wine and music festival where first class chefs, celebrity chefs and others create mouthwatering mix of foods,drink and music to liven up your tastebuds and have some fun on this three day event.

https://jamaicaepicureanescape.com/

Jamaica News and Events - June 

May/June   - Calabash Literary Festival Treasure Beach St Elizabeth

A three day festival of the written word presented by renoun author, poets and story tellers of all spheres. This bi-annual inspirational event is one of its kind in the English Speaking Caribbean. 

Literary luminaries and musicians far and wide are expected to be part of Calabash 2014. 

Look forward to seeing you there. no entrance fee. 

httpx://www.calabashfestival.org/2014/schedule.html

June Liguanea Art Festival - 10.00am start -  all day event

Venue: Chinese Benevolent Association 176 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica.

Outdoor exhibition featuring displays of sculptures, Paintings, drawings etc

Food and drinks on sale - free admission - free parking.  They are on facebook.

June  - annual Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival presents

A Jazz packed week with 30 spectacular events throughout Jamaica

June  - Caribbean Fashion Week

Venue: National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston Jamaica

Doors open 5.00pm.  Showtime 7.00pm

https://www.caribbeanfashionweek.com/

Jamaica News and Events - travel tax

Change in long haul travel tax to Caribbean 

Jamaica news and events - If travel between the United Kingdom and Caribbean is part of your life, you no doubt would have been affected the increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) (travel tax) levied on long haul airline travel from the UK to the Caribbean region, introduced in 1994.

Since the inception of this tax, the tourism organisations such as the World Tourism Organization; World Travel & Tourism, Caribbean Tourism Organisation and others have relentlessly rallied the British Government against this tax which they considered to be unfair on Caribbean destinations.

The unwavering efforts of these organizations over the past 20 years have finally paid off, with an announcement made on March 19, 2014 by the Mr George Osborne, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Speech that long haul air travel to the Caribbean will be taxed the same as to the USA. This comes into effect April 2015.

Jamaica News and Events - Spring Break - annually  

Jamaica News and Events - Spring Break has an estimated patronage of 1.5 million students flocking to Florida, Texas, Las Vegas, Mexico and Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and Jamaica each March.

According to spring break companies STS Travel & Sunsplash Tours, the upcoming staging of the month-and-a-half-long event is set to explode on Jamaica's North Coast.

The companies are reporting a sharp increase in advance bookings for the same period when compared to last year.

In fact, the official spring break Jamaica Twitter page @springbreakja calls Jamaica 'the tropical island paradise of sun, sand, sea, booze and babes'.

"We haven't seen this much buzz for Jamaica in a very long while," said Jake Jacobsen, vice-president of Sales for Maryland-based STS Travel.

Jamaica News and Events - Dec  - April 

Carnival in Jamaica, Kingston - March - April 

Jamaica Carnival is  a lot of fun in the city of Kignston.  So if you have the energy for nonstop partying over a period of several weeks, note Jamaica Carnival in your list of things to do. Bacchanal Jamaica has a full schedule planned which is a combination of soca music and dance exercises – dubbed Socacise.

So, join in where you can and get fit while you have fun.  All this kicks off with Bacchanal Opening Night on Friday March 7 2014 and culminates with the road march on Sunday April 27th with lots of fun during the weeks leading up to road march. For more visit www.bacchanaljamaica.com

Jamaica news and events - Negril Reggae Marathon – Dec 

Have you ever taken part in the Jamaica Reggae Marathon?  If not this is your chance to join in the fun.  You can choose to do the full marathon, half marathon or 10K.

Jamaica News and Events 

Accompong Maroon Festival, St. Elizabeth - January 6 annually

Jamaica news and events - The Maroons of Accompong Town St Elizabeth are preparing for their annual Maroon Festival  be held on January 6.   January 6th is celebrated as the birthday of Cudjoe forefather and leader of the Leeward Maroon of the past.

This is a worldwide event with people from many countries travelling to Jamaica to attend this annual event.  If you would like to read more about this festival go to www.jamaicanmaroons.com 

Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, Falmouth - January 30 - February 1

The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is an Air Jamaica sponsored event. Here you will find the who is who on Jamaica’s society, visitors from overseas, wannabees and a diverse mix of Jamaicans all having fun together.  

Big names in local and international artistes make up the bill with usually one big name to draw the crowd.  So if you want to be where it’s all happening in Jamaica between 30th Jan and 1 Feb 2014; the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium is the place to be.Visit www.jamaicajazzandblues.com for more.

Reggae Month, Kingston - February

Jamaica news and events - February is Reggae month in Jamaica – look out for live music shows in honour of past and present reggae musicians who have contributed to the development of Jamaica’s music.  

Salute for Reggae Month brings out some unforgettable performances recorded and live of the icons of Jamaica Reggae Music for the Month of February.  Visit www.jariajamaica.com for more

Jamaica Fat Tyre Festival, St. Mary and Ocho Rios - February 

The St. Mary off-Road Bicycling Association (SMORBA) is a non profit organization that hosts biking events such as Jamaica Fat Tyre Mountain biking Festival; Jamaica Bicycle Bash and Jamaica BMX Racing.  

The Fat Tyre Festival is a week-long event. Places for Fat Tyre Festival are quickly sold out, so if this is your kind of thing, get on their mailing list for next year.  visit www.smorba.com for more.

Air Canada Rouge comes to Kingston 

Kingston Jamaica has been selected as the lead destination for the new Air Canada Airline, Air Canada Rouge.   The service commences July 1st 2013, for weekday flights from Toronto to Kingston Jamaica.  The flights are scheduled to arrive daily at Norman Manley International Airport Kingston at 1.05pm and depart at 2pm local times.  

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr Wykeham Mcneil welcomed passengers on the inaugural flight from Toronto on July 1st 2013.

Source Jamaica Tourist Board 1 July 2013.

Jamaica News and Events - August 

Jamaica News and Events - Mobay Jerk Festival, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay - August 

This is a one day outdoor event of food and entertainment suitable for the whole family.  This event will be held at the Catherine Hall complex in Montego Bay.  If you plan to be in Montego Bay around 1st August stop by and give your taste buds a treat with some authentic Jamaican cuisines.  See the line up on www.montegobayjerkfestival.com

Jamaica Intl Reggae Film & Music Festival, Ocho Rios,

Montego Bay & Port Antonio - August 

This event features short documentaries/animation  and music videos celebrating Jamaica’s music culture and local based film makers.  Women in film will be celebrated with special recognition given to the late Madge Sinclair who was of Jamaican origin.  www.reggaefilmfestival.com

 International Reggae Wine Festival, Montego Bay - August 

Montego Bay hosts the Intl Reggae Wine Festival over two days on 2nd and 3rd August.   This event will be held at the Secret Sea Wind Club in Montego Bay, 7pm to 2 am, and you can expect some of the best intl wines and Jamaican spirits. 

A fashion show featuring the latest trends in Caribbean fashion will be part of the entertainment. www.internationalreggaewinefestival.com

Summer Playground Fantasy- SPF Weekend, St Ann- August 

St Ann once again hosts its Summer Playground Fantasy between 2nd and 5th August.  This event attracts the more mature minded (over 21) patrons who will enjoy the long weekend partying at different locations. See www.spfweekend.com. for details on costs etc

Jamaica Independence Day - August 6

The Jamaica Cultural Development Committee (JCDC) plans to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence Day in the streets of Kingston on  August 6.  Floats decked in the Jamaican colours will line the streets of Kingston.  Groups in their various costumes will celebrate together with music trucks, marching bands and a lot more.  For more info the website is www.jcdc.gov.jm

Jamaica News and Events  - July

Makka Pro Surf Contest, Makka Beach, St. Thomas, Jamaica- July 

The Makka Pro Surf Contest held in St Thomas Jamaica is the largest surfing contest in the English speaking Caribbean and helps to promote Jamaica as a surfing destination and is part of the Caribbean Challenge Cup.  If this sounds like fun to you, be sure to be there on the weekend of July 20-21.   Check out the website for their calendar of events. www.jamsurfas.webs.com 

Caribbean Shrimp Festival  - July month - Rose Hall Montego Bay

Jamaica News and Events - Look out for this year’s Caribbean Shrimp Festival which is due to be held at the Whitter Village, Rose Hall,  Montego Bay Jamaica . 

Music and fashion show will be part of the evening's entertainment.  

President of Air Canada Leisure Group, Michel Friisdahl has recently announced that commencing July, 2013, Air Canada’s Leisure Airline, Air Canada Rouge, will make its maiden flight to Jamaica.  

The announcement was made at a meeting between Jamaica’s tourism officials and representatives from Air Canada, during a business lunch at Iberostar Grande.  

Source Jamaica Tourist Board June 2013

Hurricane Season

Jamaica News and Events - The Caribbean hurricane season officially starts today 1st June and goes through to 30th November.  

If you are thinking of visiting Jamaica during the summer, July is the middle of summer in Jamaica so is generally hot (30/32 degree during the daytime) and drops at nights.  

There may be a shower or two  in the afternoons but not necessarily everyday and it dries up as quickly as it comes.

Hurricane season hots-up around August/September time, so if you are planning to travel between August and October, ensure that you check the weather forecasts regularly to be on top of things.

Whatever you do have wonderful time and be safe.

Source: own experience.

Jamaica News and Events - Weather - For regular update on the weather in Jamaica click here

Source: Jamaica Gleaner.



Jamaica - Favourite Worldwide Destination

JAMAICA WINS FAVOURITE WORLDWIDE DESTINATION’ AT BRITISH TRAVEL AWARDS

Jamaica has been named ‘Favourite Worldwide Destination’ by the British Travel Awards (BTA). The prestigious BTA is the largest awards programme in the UK, created to recognise the most successful travel companies and destinations.

Elizabeth Fox, Regional Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in the UK and Northern Europe, remarked, “We are incredibly proud that Jamaica was voted ‘Favourite Worldwide Destination. As the only award voted for by the public, this accolade is especially significant. ” The winners were announced at a ceremony in London, on 1 November 2012.

(Source: Jamaica Tourist Board)

EXPEDIA BOOKINGS A RAY OF SUNSHINE FOR JAMAICAN TOURISM

Expedia has announced that demand for travel to Jamaica during the first half of 2012 increased nearly 10 per cent compared to the previous year. Its network of online travel booking sites includes more than 100 branded sites and more than 10,000 affiliate sites.

Expedia said that demand was coming from consumers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Over the past year, Expedia has worked closely with Jamaican tourism officials and the local hospitality community to generate incremental travel demand to the Caribbean destination.

(Source: Jamaica Gleaner)

JAMAICA IS ‘BEST ISLAND FOR FAMILY VACATIONS FOR 2012’

The Caribbean World Magazine has announced that Jamaica has been voted the Best Island for Family Vacations for 2012. This prestigious award is voted for by the Caribbean World Travel and Living Magazine and its readers. This is the first time that Jamaica is copping this category award.

Recognition by our visitors is especially rewarding as they are at the heart of what we do, said John Lynch, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board. Each day we strive to satisfy our customers by ensuring that their vacation experience is unforgettable. Their opinions matter and we are always seeking ways to anticipate their needs. We are very encouraged by this award as it says to us that we are doing something right.‟

(Source: Jamaica Tourist Board)

Jamaica Tourist Board- Meet the People Program

Would you like to meet the people of Jamaica on your visit to Jamaica? The Jamaica Tourist Board has a wonderful Meet-the-People program where you can meet and spend a day with a Jamaican person or family. The program also includes children meeting Jamaican children where can interact and get to know each other for a day or maybe they may become pen pals and develop lasting friendships.

You will have a chance to increase your knowledge of Jamaica and its people. Share a day of your vacation visiting with a Jamaican family who will host, entertain you and fill you with some nice Jamaican cooking.

If you are interested in the Jamaica tourist Board Meet-the-People program, you can sign up on the JTB website.

Source: Jamaica Tourist Board

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