April is a month of festivals in Jamaica. The weather is warm, school routines are relaxed, and the programme includes family days out, food fairs, competitions and the final carnival parties of the season. The listing below reflects a past programme, so dates and venues may differ now. Confirm details with organisers before travelling.
Jamaica International Kite Festival
Held in early April at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann, this is the island’s largest kite festival. Thousands of adults and children arrive to see kites in all designs and sizes, some taller than six feet. Gates open in the morning, with a supervised children’s village, a kite-flying contest and an evening show by dancehall and reggae artists.
Expo Jamaica
A three-day business event at the National Arena in Kingston, Expo Jamaica brings Jamaican tourism companies together with tour operators and suppliers from overseas. Meetings take place in groups and by private appointment. For the island’s tourism sector, the aim is to build lasting commercial relationships and strengthen visitor arrivals.
Horticultural Show
A late-April flower show in Kingston, with a wide range of blooms on display and for sale. Gardeners and enthusiasts travel considerable distances to attend, some from as far away as Port Antonio.
Westmoreland Curry Festival
Curry came to Jamaica with Indian settlers and has become a staple of the island’s cooking. At this festival, held at Manning’s School in Westmoreland, visitors can taste chicken, fish, pork, beef and soup, all curried. The event began as a fundraiser for the school and has since grown to support basic schools, special-needs schools and an infirmary.
Bacchanal Road March
Many soca lovers feel that April marks the end of carnival in Jamaica, and the road parade through Kingston is the grand finale. The highlight is the costumes worn by competing bands. Anyone can join the parade at any point along the route, in costume or not.
Other highlights
April also features swimming championships, a university track and field invitational, a gospel praise festival, the Trelawny Yam Festival and more bacchanal parties.
Looking for the previous month? See March events or visit the blog.