Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

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MusicOcho Rios
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival's Jazz Hall of Fame sets it
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: JMD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in Ocho Rios

An annual jazz festival that Sonny Bradshaw began in 1991 as a single Father's Day afternoon at Ocho Rios's Carib Inn Beach, before it expanded into a multi-day, multi-parish programme spanning Ocho Rios, Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril and Runaway Bay. Billed as the region's longest-running jazz festival, it pairs Jamaican and international performers with a youth program, free daily shows and a Jazz Hall of Fame.

Musician and journalist Sonny Bradshaw launched the event in 1991 as a one-day trial called the Ocho Rios Mini Jazz Festival, staged on Father's Day at the Carib Inn Beach under the tagline The Best Names in Jamaican Jazz.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's Jazz Hall of Fame sets it apart from other Caribbean jazz events: rather than only booking touring headliners, organizers formally induct Jamaican and Caribbean musicians who advanced the genre, turning the festival into a living archive of the region's jazz history

02

The mystery stays covered

Its founder-driven format, plus performances staged simultaneously across five parishes rather than one venue, means a single festival pass effectively grants access to shows in Ocho Rios, Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril and Runaway Bay, an unusually decentralized structure for an island festival of this size

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Youth program mentorship sessions introduce young Jamaican musicians to jazz technique

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and the festival's photo exhibition and Jazz Hall of Fame inductions treat past performers as part of an ongoing historical record rather than one-off bookings

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Ocho Rios venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Resort casual works for outdoor and beach-adjacent shows; some hotel ballroom evening concerts lean smarter, so a collared shirt or sundress is a safe upgrade for ticketed events.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Ocho Rios you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

JMD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map18.41 N, 77.10 WOpen in Google Maps

Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica

Nearest airportKIN — Norman Manley
TransportFor Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, plan transport around the exact Ocho Rios venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, stay near the part of Ocho Rios you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ocho Rios via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ocho Rios, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearResort casual works for outdoor and beach-adjacent shows; some hotel ballroom evening concerts lean smarter, so a collared shirt or sundress is a safe upgrade for ticketed events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Jamaica and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Ocho Rios Jazz Festival?

Ocho Rios Jazz Festival is listed for June. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Ocho Rios Jazz Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLochoriosjazzja.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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