If you ever wonder if the Christmas holiday season is the best time to visit Jamaica, the answer is yes. The abundance of sunshine and consistently warm Caribbean weather is a huge benefit for visiting Kingston during the holidays. From mid-December through New Year’s Day, Jamaica has plenty of activities and events given many have time away from work to spend time with family and friends.
We’ve highlighted some of the Christmas activities that took place in 2022 in the days leading up to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. You can take advantage of enjoying these annual events on your next winter holiday in Kingston, Jamaica.
Christmas in the Park Event
First, in Emancipation Park, the city’s community venue, an annual Christmas in the Park event featured musical performances, dance, and performance by Jermaine Edwards, a famous Jamaican gospel music artist. The event sponsored by Scotia Bank was free admission to the public and recorded for Christmas Day television programming. Below is a video highlights from Christmas in the Park.
Christmas Arts & Crafts Market
Another excellent activity that precedes the weeks before Christmas Day, is the Association of Jamaican Potters’ annual arts and crafts market. The free event showcased local Jamaican crafts, painters, pottery, Jamaican-themed puzzles, custom greeting cards, and more.
The event is one way to support local Jamaican creators and purchase art for holiday gift-giving. Below is a walk-through video from the December 11, 2022 art and crafts fair in Kingston.
Live Music Concerts
Music is everywhere in the streets of Jamaica as its an important part of Jamaican cultural expression.
Almost every night of the week in Kingston, there are live music and DJ parties that occur at outdoor venues. For example, a highlight of the December 2022 concert season was a live performance by Afro Beat sensation Burna Boy from Nigeria. Burna Boy performed live in Kingston on December 18 at the National Stadium along with Jamaican reggae superstar Popcaan.
Christmastime in Kingston is a great time of year to visit Jamaica. You can enjoy many activities that give you an authentic Jamaica holiday of music, art, and culture.