Travelling to Jamaica can be more than just soaking up sun sand and sea. February is perhaps one of the biggest months for reggae in Jamaica. The island hosts ReggaeMonthJa, a unique month-long reggae music festival with an edutaining cultural twist!
As one of the Caribbean’s cultural meccas, Jamaica is rich with history and heritage, and the undeniable sway of reggae music on the island will give you even more to do on your vacation.
Every February, since 2008, ReggaeMonthJa pays homage to a special part of Back History. It honours the contributions of talented Jamaican musicians, creatives and artistes who have shaped culture, urban slang, and world music around the globe.
Here are a few things to do during Reggae Month in Jamaica:
ReggaeMonthJa Things to Do: Go to Reggae Shows
What’s a month-long music festival without reggae music? Even better, the events are mostly free. In major towns across Jamaica, like Ocho Rios, Kingston, and Montego Bay, you are treated with live reggae shows.
ReggaeMonthJa Things to Do: Attend Weekly Events
Reggae Month is jam-packed with free events on a weekly basis all throughout the month of February.
- Reggae Wednesdays – a series of live concerts charting the evolution of reggae
- Whappinz Thursdays – weekly street dance for visitors to experience the local dancehall scene.
- Festive Fridays – weekly friday after-work jams in Ocho Rios, St. Ann
- Amateur Night on the Mound – Jamaica’s emerging reggae artists come out to perform for amateur night at the Victoria Pier in Downtown, Kingston.
- Children of Icons – A series of roadshows featuring the children of some of Jamaica’s most trailblazing acts over the past 50 years.
ReggaeMonthJa Things to Do: Celebrate Cultural Icons
Bob Marley Birthday Celebrations
The birthday celebrations of Bob Marley kickstart Reggae Month. On February 6, the Bob Marley Foundation celebrates and honours global reggae icon with its Bob Marley Day event. Travellers from far and wide come to rock with locals and embody the idea of One Love the King of Reggae upheld.
Dennis Brown Tribute
The Dennis Brown Tribute is a mega reggae concert not to be missed! International artists from across the globe gather once a year at ReggaeMonthJa to pay tribute to Dennis Brown – the Crown Prince of Reggae. Various musicians perform songs from Dennis Brown’s expansive repertoire of music. You’re sure to hear 1 or 2 of your favourites at this concert.
Asafa Powell Statue Unveiling
Not just about the music; Jamaican culture is another important part of this festival. Reggae Month takes the opportunity to celebrate both Jamaica’s music and cultural icons. Asafa Powell, aka the Sub10King, was honoured with a statue for his outstanding contributions to track and field. The statue was created by renowned Jamaican sculptor, Basil Dawkins.
ReggaeMonthJa Things to Do: Attend Lectures and Art Exhibitions
‘Jamaica Jamaica’ Exhibition at the National Gallery
The Jamaica Jamaica Exhibition presents the history of reggae dancehall in a series of themed rooms that the viewer can walk through, interact with a listening booth, and feel the vibrations of historic melodies pulsing through sound systems in various rooms. The exhibition melds the social scenes of reggae with historical artefacts like vintage stereos and African drums. Jamaica Jamaica intertwines history, melodies and scene-setting in a way that invites a harmonious experience for the viewer.
Watch a review of the Jamaica Jamaica Exhibition below.
Reggae Open University
As part of Reggae Month’s edutainment platform, the Reggae Open University allows you to have discussions with local and international experts on developing the reggae industry.
‘Grounation’ Lecture Series
Grounation is a lecture series produced by the Jamaica Music Museum. Grounation holds weekly “reasonings” where discussions are held on the influence of Rasta music on reggae as well as its impact on culture and community in Jamaica.
ReggaeMonthJa Things to Do: Watch Documentaries and Reggae Films
Reggae Films in the Park
Reggae Film in D Park is a weekly series at the Emancipation Park in Kingston that shows films with a “reggae music soundtrack”. The screening is free and is opened with a short film feature of local Jamaican filmmakers before the main movie is shown. This event calls to music lovers and film enthusiasts alike.
Watch Documentaries
Documentaries on the history of Jamaican music and its impact on the world are screened at various activities throughout the reggae month of February. These documentaries preserve the cultural significance of reggae music, how the music helps to shape the Jamaican society, and offers an insider view on “reggae culture”.
10A Flim Show
Named for the Jamaican creolisation of the word ‘film’, 10A Flim Show has weekly screenings of iconic Jamaican movies and films. This is where you can watch famous films like Dancehall Queen and Rockers.
Reggae, Roots, Riddim
Every year, the month of February comes to life in Jamaica. Reggae Month highlights Jamaica as the reggae mecca of the world and adds an extra layer of culture on your trip. The roots of many of your favourite music, like Hip Hop, EDM and Dub, are found here in Jamaica. Why not travel to Jamaica on your next trip to soak up the riddim and vibes of our sweet island music?
ReggaeMonthJa: Travel to Jamaica for a Month of Reggae Roots and Riddim
ProTip: Download the official Reggae Month App to keep updated on Android and iOS! #KetchDiRiddim
This is a sponsored post in partnership with Reggae Month Jamaica. As always, all opinions are my own. I had a great time and I wish you the same!
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Great post. I really should partake more in the reggae festivities one year. The Jamaica, Jamaica exhibit was as far as it went for me this month and I really had a lovely time.
Thanks Elle! I really did enjoy the shows…my faves are the Jamaica Jamaica exhibit and the Dennis Brown Tribute show.