March is one of the busiest months on the Jamaican calendar. Spring break and Easter bring crowds to the resort towns, athletes fill the National Stadium, and the soca season picks up momentum. The listing below follows the 2018 programme, and exact dates change from year to year, so check with organisers before planning around any of it. Because this is a peak time, flights and hotels should be reserved well in advance.
Spring break
Spring break takes place across much of March in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril and Kingston. It is a lively, comparatively affordable alternative to destinations such as Cancun or Miami. Beachside bars and restaurants, including Margaritaville venues and Rick’s Café in Negril, are popular outdoor party spots, and some resort chains such as Sunset and RIU are known for hosting spring break packages. In Montego Bay, the BritJam weekend draws visitors from Britain and elsewhere for a week of day and night events.
Boys and Girls Championships
Held at the National Stadium in Kingston, this five-day schools athletics meeting is widely considered one of the best of its kind anywhere. University scouts attend from around the world to spot talent, and the event is closely associated with sprinters who went on to global fame, including Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Shelly-Ann Fraser.
Kingston City Run
A weekend of activities centred on Knutsford Boulevard, the City Run combines a half marathon, a 5k race and walk, a health fair and expo, and a soca concert. Proceeds go to charities, with a particular focus on supporting homeless people.
Bacchanal soca parties
All month, soca parties run several times a week, with local and visiting performers. Most are in Kingston, though Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril host their share. Expect food, drinks, dancing and a very late night.
Reggae Month overflow
February is officially Reggae Month, but its concerts and events often continue into March around the island.
A beach day party
One beach party in the programme was held on the first of April and kept its location secret until a month beforehand. Guests brought their own beverages, an unusual twist on the usual day-party format.
For other months, read about April events, or see more in the blog.