When to Go

January

Accompong Maroon Festival, St. Elizabeth. Annual celebration of Maroons of Western Jamaica, with traditional singing and dancing, feasts, ceremonies, blowing of the abeng (cow's horn), and playing of Maroon drums. tel. 876/952-4546. January 6.

Jamaica Sprint Triathlon, Negril. Hundreds participate in a three-part competition joining swimming, cycling, and running in one sweat-inducing endurance test. Contact the Jamaica Tourist Board. Late January.

Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Montego Bay. Series of concerts at Rose Hall Great House. tel. 876/952-4425. www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com. Late January.

February

Bob Marley Week, Kingston. From reggae concerts to movies, this weeklong celebration honors the king of reggae. Activities also include arts and crafts booths and food festivals. For more information, contact The Robert Marley Foundation at 56 Hope Rd., Kingston (tel. 876/978-2991 or 876/978-2929; www.bobmarley.com). Early February.

Bob Marley Birthday Bash, Montego Bay. An annual concert that celebrates a local star. tel. 876/978-2991. February 6.

Reggae Summerfest, Ocho Rios. Annual reggae bash, featuring top reggae stars. Call tel. 876/960-1904 for dates.

April

Montego Bay Yacht Club's Easter Regatta. Annual sailing event of several races staged along the North Coast over a 6-day period around Easter. tel. 876/979-8038. Easter weekend.

Carnival in Jamaica, Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay. Weeklong series of fetes, concerts, and street parades. Contact local tourist offices. First week of April.

June

Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. International performers play alongside Jamaican jazz artists; other events include barbecues. tel. 866/649-2137 or 876/927-3544 (www.ochoriosjazz.com). Second week in June.

July

National Dance Theatre Company's Season of Dance, Kingston. Traditional and modern dance, as well as notable singers. tel. 876/926-6129. July through August.

Reggae Sumfest, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay. Annual 5-day music festival. tel. 876/952-0889 (www.reggaesumfest.com). Late July.

September

Falmouth Blue Marlin Tournament, Montego Bay. A big deal locally. tel. 876/927-0145. Late September.

October

Port Antonio International Fishing Tournament. One of the oldest and most prestigious sportfishing events in the Caribbean, with participants from Europe and North America. tel. 876/927-0145. Mid-October.

December

Motor Sports Championship Series, Dover Raceway, St. Ann. Prestigious championship event. tel. 876/960-3860. Early December.