This year I decided to give Trinidad a little break (madness) and start my carnival season with Jamaica Carnival. While I have come to rue the day I decided to skip instead of just making the trip shorter, I plan to take full advantage of the remainder of the year to make up for my mistake.

This means for the entire Jamaica carnival season, “if 2 pan knock”, I will be there!

Let me give you this years update on how to maximize your Carnival in Jamaica experience.

WHEN TO ARRIVE/LEAVE
For the carnival chasers coming in here is my advice. If money and time are no object then come in from Easter Friday (April 3rd 2026) to party the Easter weekend in Ocho Rios before the Kingston events get going. The Kingston events start from Easter Monday and by carnival Wednesday there will be several events per day to keep you occupied.

WHERE TO STAY

I have of course posted many times about staying in New Kingston for Carnival in Jamaica. The best and most convenient hotels are on Knutsford boulevard in the heart of new Kingston. Prices in Kingston range from 100usd to 500usd per night.

More expensive/better accomodation: Spanish court, Pegasus, Two different Marriott hotels, Courtleigh hotel.

Alternatives include “R” hotel, Four seasons hotel, Terra Nova hotel.

Budget friendly options: Altemont Court hotel or Alambra inn are more affordable alternatives.

AirBNB is also a good option in the “New Kingston area” preferentially.

HOW TO GET AROUND

I would recommend getting a driver to help you get around kingston for carnival in jamaica. its best to get a trusted driver or 2 and contract them to carry you to all your events.
I am going to give you the number for MY trusted driver and if he is busy he can put you on to other drivers to take care of you.

Damion- 1 876 542 172

THE FETE LIST.

We have our eyes wide open for any new fetes for 2024 and to confirm the return of our usual fetes.

We follow a comprehensive list updated by IAMSOCA to keep us in the know (see in the website menu above). A newer alternative is a website called FETELNDR. For now I am going to give you a personalized fete list of MY favourite events to consider from what has been announced.

Good Friday

Soca camp

Easter saturday

RIse up breakfast fete in Ocho rios

Easter sunday

SUNFUNRUM cruise in Ocho Rios

Easter monday

Xodus WETT. A huge water and paint party to be held in Kingston.

Tuesday

Simply soca

Wed

Illuminate, Fete that morphs into a road march (Or kooler babe, a dress up cooler fete, if you don’t want the run up and down vibes ).

Thurs (choice of 3 good events)

I love soca

Frenchmen blocko

Xodus Tailgate.

Friday

Friday in the day, I don’t want you to consider any other option….come to SUNKISSED! An exclusive all inclusive cruise to Maiden cay, a small atoll off the shores of Port Royal, where we party till the sun sets over the Caribbean sea.

JOUVERT Friday night for carnival in Jamaica is J’ouvert night. I’m jumping with Immortals j’ouvert by GenXs.

Saturday.

Sunrise breakfast fete

Viva La carnival Jamaica or Xodus Remedy.

SUNDAY
Sunday is the road parade for carnival in Jamaica. I had a BLAST with GenXs last year and I FULLY recommend them for the road for 2024.

Monday.

Xs Sunset/ Yardmas beach fete

Carnival Concierge.

So as easy as I have made it with the information above, there is yet an easier way. You can contact a carnival concierge to get the job done for you for a fee. All you need to do is show up.

This year I know Nduzi ready to sort out all your carnival needs such as costume collection.
18762080500 or [email protected]

ALSO.

NDOTA travel will be organizing everything you need for your trip to carnival in jamaica. You can contact them on whatsapp and email here: