Official Holidays

Official holidays don't affect vacationers much--unless you're coming to Jamaica to get married or you want to take an organized tour. Here's a list of the official government holidays on the island:

• January 1 New Years Day
• February/March Ash Wednesday
• March/April Good Friday
• March/April Easter Monday
• May 23 Labour Day
• August (1st Mon.) Independence Day
• October (3rd Mon.) National Heroes Day
• December 25 Christmas Day
• December 26 Boxing Day

Festivals

Jamaica hosts festivals year around but look for many to take place during the cooler winter months as well as near Easter and in late summer when many Jamaican ex-pats return home for a visit.

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December