Festivals and events are a significant part of Ocho Rios culture and everyday life. These festivals play an important role in introducing you the life in Ocho Rios; their history, culture, and traditions.
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Rebel Salute festival
Rebel Salute festival was used to celebrate at Fayor’s Entertainment Center in Manchester before shifting to Brooks Park in the same district but, now it’s held at its current St. Ann location at Plantation Cove. Every year, on the night of 14th and 15th January, the gusty open space with the Caribbean Sea back is crammed with joyful vibrations of quality music during the two-night affair. As you walk down the Music Festival venue, you’ll be amused by the collaborative pride of people; whether it be performers exposing their roots, vendor displaying their products, or some reggae supporters swaying under a magical spell. The tradition and culture of our island and Africa are unified throughout the festivals in the shape of cuisine, arts, last but not least, music. Just like many other Jamaican festivals, Rebel Salute is well-known to welcome the sunrise, ending well after dawn.
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
Started as a trial in 1991, The Jamaican Ocho Rios Jazz Festival was called the “Smaller than expected”. Sonny Bradshaw organized this festival intending to change the Jamaican melodic scene and rethink the tourism item by inspiring the air that the entire community could feel and appreciate. At first, “Father’s Day” was chosen for this festival, the “Best Names in Jamaican Jaaz” the byline, and the Carib In Beach Ocho Rios as the scene. In a few years, the festival expanded from one to eight days and transformed into the Caribbean’s entire jazz adventure, such as the simple best of worldwide admission and additionally top names in Jamaican Bazz. It features several youth programs, a full-scale photo exhibition, day-by-day free shows, festivals being celebrated everywhere throughout the island, Negril, Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios. It honors those Jamaican and Caribbean musicians who have done impressive work in the improvement of art. It has set up itself as a symbol for presenting Caribbean local talent and specialists.
Spring Break in Ocho Rios
If you still consider Ocho Rios as a place in which some poor American college students are engaged in various mischief and gorging themselves on mixed drinks, it’s time you visited Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios is the most suitable place for spring break, with diverse cultural and family-friendly happenings; and with no chaos of more famous college destinations, including Montego Bay and Negril. Head to this wonderland to explore its natural habitat, the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, and an array of gorgeous attractions including Bleue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls. Nevertheless, it’s a jewel to be discovered.