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Music Festivals In Jamaica
The Top 10 Stage Shows You Need To See

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Music Festivals In Jamaica | Rebel SaluteMusic Festivals In Jamaica | Rebel Salute

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Did you know that listening to good music can not only relax you but improve your overall mental well-being? Our Jamaican music, especially reggae, has a unique way of offering a glimmer of hope on those gloomy days when nothing seems to be going right, and dancehall is great when we are to kick our heels off and dance in celebration.

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I have to admit, there was a time when I never imagined myself going to a music festival. However, my perspective changed once I attended my first festival, Rebel Salute, and now I can’t imagine missing out on these incredible experiences.

Music festivals in Jamaica are so much more than just live performances; they are immersive gatherings where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate a universal language of love, music.

While I have not attended all the music festivals, or stage shows as we Jamaicans like to call them, on this list, they have all gotten rave reviews over the years, and I can guarantee that you will have a great time. Not in any particular, here are the top 10 shows you need to see. 

1. Bob Marley Birthday Celebration

Let’s start off with the celebration of one of our pioneers of reggae music, Bob Marley. Every February, we honour this legend with tribute concerts and events across Kingston, including the Bob Marley Museum and Emancipation Park. This celebration is all about Marley's enduring influence on reggae music and his role as a global icon for peace and unity. Fans can enjoy performances by his children and other reggae stars.

2. Rebel Salute

I can tell you that Rebel Salute, held annually in mid-January at Plantation Cove in St. Ann, is more than just a music festival—it's a cultural experience. The festival celebrates conscious reggae and roots music and promotes positive messages and cultural awareness.

As an attendee, you can immerse yourself in an ital lifestyle, and enjoy vegetarian cuisine in a strictly alcohol-free environment. As festival founder Tony Rebel puts it, "Rebel Salute is about preserving the roots and culture of reggae music".

3. Stepping High Festival

The Stepping High Festival is an event that celebrates our slowly evolving cannabis culture alongside reggae music, held annually in March, in Negril. Believed to be originally an underground gathering, the festival has become a platform for cannabis education and advocacy.

At the festival, you can attend workshops on cannabis cultivation and medicinal use while ofcourse enjoying performances from some of our top reggae and dancehall artists.

4. A St. Mary Mi Come From

A St. Mary Mi Come From, founded by the Fireman himself, reggae artist Capleton. It is a charity-driven festival held in March in St. Mary. The event aims to support local charities while showcasing a mix of established and emerging reggae talents.

Capleton's vision is to give back to his home community while celebrating the vibrant music scene of his home parish.

Did you know that St. Mary is home to some of Jamaica’s most famous artists, including Capleton himself, Tanya Stephens, Beres Hammond, Lady Saw, Sizzla, Ninjaman and many others?

5. Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

Reggae and dancehall may be the heartbeat of Jamaica but that doesn't mean we don’t enjoy other genres of music as well.

Every June, jazz fans travel to Ocho Rios for the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, an occasion to celebrate soulful performances and mellow tunes. The festival brings together local and international jazz musicians.

6. Reggae Sumfest

Next, we have Reggae Sumfest, rightly dubbed as the "Greatest Reggae Show on Earth". Reggae Sumfest is not just the largest music festival in Jamaica, but the Caribbean as well and is held each mid-July in our second city, Montego Bay.

The festival has been around for decades now, since 1993, bringing together reggae and dancehall legends alongside rising stars for a week-long extravaganza.

From iconic performances to high-energy dancehall nights, Reggae Sumfest is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the heart and soul of Jamaican music.

7. Guinness Sounds of Greatness

Unlike the other festivals I’ve talked about so far, Guinness Sounds of Greatness is not about the artist and their performances, but instead, it’s all about our sound systems and our vibrant tradition of sound clashes.

The event offers a platform for sound systems to compete and showcase their skills. Held annually in Kingston, the event celebrates the art of DJing and the rich history of Jamaica's sound system culture. 

With its energetic atmosphere and fierce competition, it's a festival that embodies the spirit of Jamaican music.

8. One World Ska & Rocksteady Music Festival

In celebration of the ska and rocksteady genres that helped to establish reggae, the One World Ska & Rocksteady Music Festival honours the origins of Jamaican music.

International performers gather for the festival, which honours the musical legacy of the island, at Kingston's Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. If Your a fan of classic Jamaican music you won't want to miss this event.

9. Island Exodus

Island Exodus, featuring Gov't Mule, provides a special fusion of music and leisure in the tropical paradise of Jamaica. Celebrated yearly, this all-encompassing event showcases Gov't Mule and other rock bands performing against the breathtaking background of Jamaica's beaches. Music lovers can have a personal and remarkable experience at Island Exodus with yoga classes and snorkelling trips.

10. Sting

Known as "The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth," Sting returns annually on Boxing Day to captivate audiences with energetic performances and intense sound clashes.

Originally held in Portmore and now at Plantation Cove, Sting showcases Jamaica's competitive music culture and its impact on global reggae and dancehall scenes.

This event is certainly not for everyone, as things can get pretty wild at Sting to say the least, since oftentimes there are performances by dancehall rivals. There was a time when “bottling” was a frequent thing at thing, thankfully things have calmed down over the years.

Tips

  • Attire: Try to find a balance between fashion and comfort. These festivals are long. Some lasting from evening to the following morning, for days. 

  • Bring A chair: Take a chair with you, you know the little foldable camp chairs? Those would be perfect, They are usually sold by vendors outside the events as well, but at a much higher cost than usual.

Whatever your taste in music—jazz, dancehall, or reggae—Jamaica's music festivals provide a wide range of events honouring our rich culture of music.

Every festival offers a special chance to engage with the dynamic music scene and friendly locals of Jamaica. Don't pass up on the opportunity to take part in these spectacular festivities!

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References & Sources For Music Festivals In Jamaica

  1. 5 Jamaican Music Festivals. (2024, July 28). https://www.jamaicaexperiences.com/blogs/details/article/5-jamaican-music-festivals
  2. Adventuresfromelle, V. a. P. B. R. (2024, June 5). 8 Jamaican Music Festivals You Can’t Miss. Adventures From Elle. https://adventuresfromelle.com/2023/07/28/jamaica-music-festivals/
  3. About The Event. (n.d.). https://www.islandexodus.com/about

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