Ocho Rios Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Middlesex, Jamaica)

Festivals and events in Ocho Rios and its environs typically focus on Jamaican culture, be it reggae, ska music or food. The Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in the middle of June is one of the main events in town, bringing in acts from across the Caribbean.

Other things to do in Ocho Rios include both Bob Marley Week and the Carnival in Jamaica event in February, Independence Day in August, and the Jamaican leg of the Caribbean Sunsplash Beach Volleyball the same month. The Harmony Hall Anniversary Crafts Fair every November is another highlight, while Christmas and New Year are nice to celebrate here, as the weather at this time of year is simply sublime.

Ocho Rios Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - January 1st, a fun day where all resorts and cruise ships put on parties and special events
• Accompong Maroon Festival - early January, the Accompong Maroons of Western Jamaica takes place in St. Elizabeth, with traditional singing, dancing, and feasting

February

• Bob Marley Week - early February, celebrating the legendary reggae singer's birthday with a week of concerts, lectures, and other activities. Marley's mausoleum becomes a major focus at this time
• Jamaica Fat Tyre Festival - mid-February, a popular bicycle bash including a race through Oracabessa and lots of fun cycle-based contests
• Carnival in Jamaica - one of Jamaica's top festivals and held all over the island, including activities in Ocho Rios. The best of the carnival entertainment is in Kingston, with parades, beautiful women and calypso musicians

March

• SKAZZ - featuring a combination of ska and jazz music via performers from around Jamaica. The event is also big in Jamaican foods and lifestyle
• Easter - late March / early April - religious celebrations take place all over Jamaica, particularly on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and also Easter Monday

April

• Trelawny Yam Festival - mid-April, a week-long celebration in Albert town, Montego Bay, with a street festival celebrating yam country
• Annual Red Stripe International Tournament and Horse Show - with lots of high profile horse races at Chukka Cove, to the west of Ocho Rios

May

• Calabash International Literary Festival - taking place at Jakes Resort in St. Elizabeth is this special literary event that attendees often find most inspirational
• Labour Day - May 23rd, a public holiday in Ocho Rios, not that it makes any difference here, being a full-on holiday destination year-round!
• Jamaica Jam Music Festival - mid-May, staged at the James Bond Beach, with lots of open-air concerts for everyone to enjoy

June

• Ocho Rios Jazz Festival - mid-June, the big event in the town is without question this week-long jazz event that is touted as the most important in the Caribbean. It takes in various venues and includes big names like the Jimmy Smith Trio. There are always lots of barbecues and plenty of street food during this jazz fest

July

• Little Ochi Seafood Carnival - a fun annual event in southern Jamaica, seeing lots of seafood consumption and soca (calypso music with soulful elements) bands

August

• Emancipation Day - August 1st, a national Jamaican holiday commemorating this day in 1838, when all slaves within the British Empire were decreed free individuals by Queen Victoria. Expect plenty of parties and activities
• Independence Day - August 6th, the green, black and gold Jamaica flag is flown all over Ocho Rios, marking the country's independence from Britain
• Caribbean Sunsplash Beach Volleyball - featuring volleyball teams from the Caribbean, as well as Central and North America, to compete in the Jamaican leg of this annual event

September

• Caribbean Music Expo - throughout September, with live music on the beach and a trade show suiting those with an interest in Caribbean music
• Jamaica Horse Association Combined Show - held at Chukka Cove, with all things equestrian
• Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament - late September / early October, a big fishing event with anglers from far and wide, with trophies for the biggest and best catches

October

• Africa Jamfest - a unique festival in Montego Bay showcasing traditional African culture in music, fashion, and arts and crafts. Many events are held all over Jamaica, including a big fashion show in Kingston
• National Heroes' Day - late October, a celebration of Jamaica's national heroes - Sam Sharpe, Nanny (Maroons), Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey, George Gordon, Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante. The day includes many side activities

November

• Harmony Hall Anniversary Crafts Fair - held each November at Harmony Hall, when the works of local Jamaican artisans are displayed and sold
• Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon - with jogging and walking events, together with reggae music, along the coast in Negril

December

• Tastee Talent Contest - mid-December, the culmination of a long contest takes place at the Tastee Outdoor Theatre in Kingston, with a host of talented performers
• Christmas - December 25th, celebrated by the masses in Ocho Rios, with most shopping centres and resorts putting on a variety of events