8 Jamaican Music Festivals You Can’t Miss

Jamaica is renown for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and, of course, its legendary music scene. Reggae, dancehall, ska, rocksteady, mento and dub are the six genres of music which originated on this island. What better way to immerse yourself in the rhythm and soul of Jamaica than by attending one of its thrilling music festivals? Here are eight Jamaican music festivals to add to your bucket list.

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What’s Inside

1. Reggae Sumfest
2. Rebel Salute
3. Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
4. Bob Marley Birthday Celebration
5. Stepping High Festival
6. A St. Mary Mi Come From
7. Sting
8. Guinness Sounds of Greatness

1. Reggae Sumfest

As the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, Reggae Sumfest is an annual week-long extravaganza held in Montego Bay which began in 1993. Showcasing the very best of reggae and dancehall music, this festival attracts both local and international artistes who take the stage to deliver electrifying performances. From iconic legends to emerging talents, Reggae Sumfest offers an unforgettable experience for all reggae enthusiasts.

• When: mid-July (recurring event)
• Where: Catherine Hall Stadium, Montego Bay

2. Rebel Salute

Celebrating conscious reggae and roots music, Rebel Salute aims to promote positive messages and cultural awareness through music. This two-day music festival boasts an impressive lineup of reggae artists, focusing on music that uplifts the spirit and reflects the essence of Jamaican culture. In keeping with the ital theme, meat, drugs (excluding marijuana) and alcohol are not allowed at this Jamaican music festival!

• When: mid-January (recurring event)
• Where: Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, Priory, St. Ann

3. Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

For jazz enthusiasts, the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival is a must-attend event. Set against the stunning backdrop of Ocho Rios, this annual music festival features renowned jazz musicians from Jamaica and around the world. With performances in various venues throughout the town, attendees can enjoy an intimate and soulful experience while reveling in the soothing melodies of jazz. Most Jamaicans have a love and appreciation for jazz music.

• When: June (recurring event)
• Where: Ocho Rios, St. Ann

4. Bob Marley Birthday Celebration

Bob Marley is a Jamaican reggae music legend who died at the young age of 36 years old, but his legacy lives on around the world. In the legend’s birth week every February, there are Bob Marley tribute festivals held across Jamaica at venues such as the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in St. Andrew. Enjoy free live performances from Bob’s talented children as well as other upcoming and established reggae artistes. For February 2023, the Reggae Month festivities and Bob Marley celebrations were the best yet after a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic. I hope they keep that energy for 2024 and beyond.

• When: February (recurring event)
• Where: Several venues in Kingston (Ex: Emancipation Park, Bob Marley Museum)

5. Stepping High Festival

Originating in 2004, the Stepping High Festival is the Caribbean’s longest ganja-centric music festival. Initially an underground festival, the Stepping High Festival emerged as a platform for cannabis advocates, entrepreneurs and reggae lovers after the decriminalization of marijuana in Jamaica in 2015. This two-day festival provides educational opportunities through seminars and workshops focused on cannabis cultivation, medicinal use and the evolving legal landscape surrounding marijuana. Participants can engage in discussions with industry experts, gaining valuable insights into the medicinal, cultural, and economic aspects of cannabis, while also exploring various farms, vendors, and dispensaries which offer a wide range of cannabis-related products.

In addition to the cannabis-centric activities, the Stepping High Festival offers an array of musical performances featuring reggae, dancehall, and other genres that embody the spirit of Jamaica. Renowned artistes and up-and-coming talents take the stage, delivering electrifying performances that captivate the audience and create an unforgettable atmosphere. This earns Stepping High a space on the list of can’t-miss Jamaican music festivals.

• When: March (recurring event)
• Where: Negril, Westmoreland

6. A St. Mary Mi Come From

A St. Mary Mi Come From is the brainchild of Capleton who hails from Islington, St. Mary. This annual concert began in 2000, but has had several hiatuses over the years. When it’s held, the proceeds go towards charities based in Capleton’s home parish. Many young up-and-coming reggae artistes grace the stage to gain recognition alongside established acts who perform to show respect to the reggae veteran.

• When: Variable (last staging 2018, set to happen next in 2023)
• Where: Annotto Bay, St. Mary

7. Sting

Sting, also known as “The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth,” is a notorious music festival held on Boxing Day in Jamaica. Founded in 1984 by Isaiah Laing of Supreme Promotions, Sting quickly became one of the most highly anticipated Jamaican events, attracting both local and international artistes and a massive audience. Sting is renowned for its energetic performances, electrifying clashes, and the display of talent within the reggae and dancehall genres. One of the distinguishing features of Sting is the sound clash, a competitive musical face-off between two or more artistes. Clash culture is deeply rooted in Jamaican music, and Sting is known for its intense clashes, where artistes engage in lyrical battles and showcase their skills on stage. These clashes often generate excitement, controversy, and memorable moments that became part of Sting’s rich history.

Over the years, the clashes at Sting became more heated and associated with violence– many shows ending in chaos after gun shots rang out in the crowd. This led to Sting going on a seven year hiatus, but it recently got a revival in 2022. I have mixed feelings about Sting, but as we say in Jamaica, “Dancehall cyaa stall.”

• When: December 26 (recurring event)
• Where: Originally in Portmore, now at the Grizzly’s Entertainment Center, Plantation Cove 

8. Guinness Sounds of Greatness

As I alluded to earlier, sound clash culture is an integral part of Jamaican music and has played a significant role in the development and evolution of genres such as reggae and dancehall. A sound clash is a musical competition where different sound systems (groups of DJs, selectors, and engineers) compete against each other to showcase their skills, selection, and sound quality. Sound clashes have their roots in Jamaica’s vibrant music scene of the 1950s and 1960s. Now in its 15th year, Guinness Sounds of Greatness (GSOG) has modernized Jamaican sound clash culture by nurturing the next generation of aspiring disc jockeys alongside supporting the veterans in the business. The dubplates, energy and crowd participation at GSOG can’t be beat, earning it a spot on my list of can’t-miss Jamaican music festivals. I’ve now attended two GSOG events in a row, and I don’t plan on missing 2024.

• When: Finals – July (recurring event)
• Where: Several venues in Kingston, Ex: Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Kingston Waterfront

Wrap Up

There you have it: an extensive write-up of 8 Jamaican music festivals worth visiting. Jamaica’s music festivals are a testament to the island’s rich cultural heritage and its significant influence on global music. Have you experienced any of these festivals before? Which would you be most excited to experience? Let me know in the comments down below.

If you liked this article, you would also enjoy:

• 10 Must-Visit Jamaican Food Festivals
• 10 Hilarious Jamaican Places You Can Actually Visit
• 3 Rum Tours You Can Do In Jamaica

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