Port Royal Seafood Festival is often held to celebrate National Heroes Day. The highlight of this festival is the Celebrity Chef Cook-Off. For food lovers, the festival is a golden opportunity to experience fresh, traditionally prepared seafood and other local staples. Tourists can not resist the variety and rich flavored Jamaica dishes, namely conch fritters, steamed fish with rice and veggies, jerk shrimp skewers, and others.

Besides the feast, the festivals offer visitors live entertainment performed by some of the most popular artists throughout the islands. Therefore, you can sit on the beach, and enjoy your big meal while listening to live music under Jamaica’s warm sun. New elements are added to the festival each year to make it more engaging and exciting, such as marching band or practical information about protecting the environment.

When: 3rd Monday of October

Where: The Port Royal football field in Kingston

If you are a hard-core fan of Bob Marley, of course, you should not miss one of the most famous festivals in Jamaica. On the birthday of the legendary reggae singer, the whole country comes together and celebrates this event. The festival often starts with a free concert where all people can take part and have fun. Reggae lovers can attend symposiums, a fashion show, many exhibitions, and other activities relating to Bob Marley during the rest of the week. This is the ideal time for tourists to totally immerse in reggae music, culture, local cuisine, and a never-ending dance party vibe in Kingston.

In addition, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to Bob Marley Museum or Marley’s mausoleum in Ocho Rios. Another selling point is the spin-off deals for visitors given by Jamaica, so make sure to book flights before the beginning to take advantage of this opportunity.

When: between the fifth and twelfth of February

Where: All across the country

Another famous festival in Jamaica, attracting many music lovers all around the world is Reggae Sumfes. The largest music festival in Jamaica has been organized annually since 1993. On the first day, there is a free party on the beach so everyone can join.

After visiting numerous colorful tents to enjoy delicious Caribbean cuisines, tourists can sit on the beach and join in enthusiastic performances from local and international reggae stars, such as Damion 'Junior Gong' Marley, Ziggy Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Buju Banton, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, Spice, Chronix and many others. This festival also helps local artists promote their name on a global stage, thereby gaining international exposure.

Visitors to Jamaica for this cultural event will enjoy six evenings of festivities, including an All White Blitz Party.

When: Mid-July

Where: Montego Bay

Trelawny Yam Festival which celebrates Easter Monday was first organized in 1977 to raise funds for the local community. As its name suggests, this festival in Jamaica is all about the yam - an essential food of the people of South Trelawny, a quiet mountain village. Those attending the festival can indulge in different yam-related dishes, including yam wine, yam cakes, yam pudding, and many other Caribbean dishes prepared with this starchy staple.

Although the festival's major focus is a celebration of Trelawny's culture and its principal crop, yam, there are many other fascinating activities and competitions for participants. Tourists can have a wonderful time by joining unique cultural activities, such as watching the goats and donkeys competing for the title of best-dressed. Besides, during the festivals, there is a Yam By–Product Competition for schools and a culinary competition, and a display of illustrations of the creative uses of yam by local members and students.

When: Easter Monday, April

Where: Albert Town, Trelawny

Every year on Easter Sunday, a week following Lent, Jamaica hosts its own carnival celebrations. Tourists can attend live concerts with talented Caribbean entertainers offering energizing, passionate performances over the week of festivities. The festival is marked by the great Bob Marley and calypso bands. In addition, soca parties and music add a joyous element to the celebrations, making it the largest cultural festival in Jamaica.

Trinidad's world-famous street festival is said to have had a significant influence on the Jamaica Carnival, which is full of Trinidadian steel bands, costume designers, and soca performances. It's also a fantastic opportunity to take part in a parade and street dance where groups of individuals dressed up in colorful and unique costumes featuring a collection of feathers, sparkling sequins, and frosty pearls.

When: Easter Sunday, April

Where: Kingston, Jamaica

Besides music and harvest festival, Jamaica is also well-known for Calabash International Literary - a literary festival founded by poet Kwame Dawes, novelist Colin Channer, and producer Justine Henzell. Known as “a world-class literary festival”, Calabash International Literary takes place on beautiful seaside Treasure Beach. In addition to international visitors, locals go to Treasure Beach by moped, bus, and car from all around Jamaica to attend.

The festival often lasts 3 days. This only annual international literary festival is free and available to the general public. During this time, people can enjoy readings, music, and storytelling given by internationally famous poets and writers. Another interesting part is giving a try to flavourful Caribbean cuisines. The festivals also offer publishing seminars and writing workshops. If you want to enjoy the vibe, meet acclaimed writers and express your love for literature and community, this festival will not make you disappointed.

When: May every 2 year

Where: Treasure Beach on Jamaica's south coast

Rebel Salute is a family-friendly seaside party celebrating the birthday of reggae promotor, Tony Rebel. It is also one of the biggest music festivals in Jamaica, highlighting roots and conscious music. Rebel Salute in Jamaica provides a stage for some of Jamaica’s new Reggae artists as well as big names in the industry.

The festival takes place in January and offers a variety of musical styles over the course of two days. In addition, visitors and locals will have access to an art village providing apparel, crafts, and indigenous jewelry for purchase while enjoying breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. If you want to opt for a healthy meal, there are various stalls, such as vegetarian pizzas, natural fruit and vegetable juices, and an array of fresh tropical fruits and coconut water around the large venue.

When: January 15

Where: Kingston, Jamaica

This festival in Jamaica is one of the most famous tournaments in the world. It is held annually and brings fishermen from across the Caribbean, North and South America, and Europe together. They are going to set sail to catch, tag, and release the largest Atlantic blue marlin which is an endangered species of fish and its preservation plays an important role in the continued development of the Caribbean's waters. Therefore, local fishermen and boats from surrounding regions gather at Port Antonio to contribute to the conservation effort. Normally, the friendly sea rivalry will begin with the shooting of a canon.

On the last day, there is a lavish awards ceremony. For contestants in the tournament, they compete not only for cash prizes but for a slot to participate in a larger competition held in Costa Rica.

When: October

Where: Port Antonio, Jamaica

Christmas Grand Market is one of the most exciting events of the Christmas season. It is held in all major towns across Jamaica on Christmas Eve. A festive atmosphere prevails in Grand Market at Christmas when stalls, houses, and streets are decorated colorfully.

Grand Market is usually a vibrant and bustling event where buyers can make last-minute purchases or get one-of-a-kind things that aren't accessible throughout the year. They can find everything here, such as clothing, toys, decorations, and other holiday celebration-related items. Because of the exponential number of shoppers, vending rules are relaxed to facilitate vendors along the sidewalks. While shoppers rush to buy decoration items and finish their holiday shopping, they can relax by listening to live music played by bands or enjoying jerk chicken, candy canes, and sugar cane sold by street vendors. The Christmas Market often opens at 6 pm and operates until morning.

When: December

Where: Across Jamaica

Kingston is home to a world-famous Food & Drink Festival. It's a unique culinary experience because each booth in the festival has a different theme, and chefs must produce meals that relate to the category. Therefore, the festival provides a platform for the chefs to show their talent to the world.

For example, in 2019, local cooks prepared Asian-inspired meals at the Chopstix tent. Tourists are welcomed the warm festive atmosphere with locals and foreign attendees and try a variety of dishes, such as jerk chicken, specialty cocktails, fiery desserts, and other innovative foods. A Pork Palooza, a swirl and sip event at D'vine, a voyage into oriental flavors with Chopstix, and a healthier approach to beer with Crisp are among the festival's major events. Besides, Meet Street and the Market is one of the most family-friendly events on the festival schedule.

Visitors are invited to the downtown waterfront zone to experience restaurants, food trucks, and other activities.

When: November to December

Where: Kingston, Jamaica