Things to Do in St. Ann, Jamaica: A Local's Guide to Eat, Explore and Experience Your Own Island
We spend so much energy telling visitors what to do in Jamaica that we sometimes forget to tell ourselves! If you're looking for things to do in St. Ann, Jamaica, this summer is the perfect opportunity to experience the parish like a local.
This summer, we want to change that.
If you are a Jamaican who has not explored your own island recently — or a member of the diaspora coming home for the season — this guide is for you. Because Jamaica in summer is not just about parties and beaches — it is just as much about Jamaican food culture, our rich culinary history, and the particular joy of rediscovering the best things to eat in Jamaica.
Here is how to spend your summer like someone who is genuinely proud of where they come from.
Table Of Content
July — Authentic Jamaican Street Food : Taste, Music and the Best of What We Do
The Jamaican food culture: Mobay Jerk Festival — Montego Bay
August — Emancipation, Independence, Identity and Island Pride
Things to do in Ocho Rios⸺Best Weekend Ever, August 6-10, Ocho Rios
July — Authentic Jamaican Street Food : Taste, Music and the Best of What We Do
A Taste of Reggae Sumfest — July 18, Plantation Cove, Ocho Rios
Sumfest Two Legends One Stage Featuring Vybz Kartel
Widely regarded as the crown jewel of Jamaican music festivals, Sumfest has moved its magic to the parish of St. Ann this year, with a special edition at Plantation Cove, minutes from Ocho Rios. For one night, fans can experience the legendary Gaza vs. Gully era live — Vybz Kartel and Mavado on one stage under the Jamaican night sky — alongside top sound systems and reggae favourites. If you have never been to a proper Jamaican music event, this is the one!
And of course, where there’s good music, there must be food – and lots of it! Sumfest events always attract Jamaica's best food vendors, so go hungry and prepare yourself for an awesome Jamaica food experience – Finger lickin’ Pan Chicken, Jerk Pork with Festival and Roast Breadfruit, Roast Corn and Curry Goat are just some of the sumptuous fare you’ll likely find on the music festival’s diverse culinary line up. This is authentic Jamaican street food eating at its most glorious! Arrive early and indulge in a hearty bowl of conch soup, crayfish soup, or traditional Jamaican mannish water whose enticing aromas are bound to lure you over to the bubbling pots long before you get to your seat. Dig in for Round 1 of your feasting before the music starts, because a pre-dawn Sumfest Breakfast featuring traditional breakfast staples like ackee and saltfish, corned pork, roast or fried breadfruit, and boiled green bananas awaits to give you that extra boost of energy to keep you dancing long after the music stops! And who knows – if you’re lucky at least one vendor’s pot will be bubbling with some “chaklit” (chocolate) tea made from our rich Jamaican cocoa which will be just the ticket to cap an explosive night of Jamaican music and culture!
The Jamaican food culture: Mobay Jerk Festival — Montego Bay
Jerk Chicken
The Mobay Jerk Festival has become a staple on Montego Bay's annual events calendar, celebrating over a decade of flavour, culture, and steady growth. Hosted at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, this highly anticipated food festival invites locals and visitors alike to savour an epicurean journey that blends bold Jamaican jerk cuisine with vibrant live entertainment.
For anyone serious about Jamaican food culture, this is not optional. Jerk is not just a seasoning. It is a philosophy — slow-cooked over pimento wood, developed by the Maroons in the mountains of Portland, and now Jamaica's most famous culinary export. Tasting it at its best, in the hands of people who have been doing it for generations, is a genuine cultural experience.
What to look for: Real jerk is smoky, complex and takes hours. If it comes out fast, it wasn't done right. Take your time. Compare. Ask the chefs questions — the best ones love to talk about their method.
August — Emancipation, Independence, Identity and Island Pride
Emancipation Village – Seville Heritage Park – July 31 to August 1
For an experience like no other, step into the bedrock of Jamaican heritage in a powerful all-night celebration of culture, history, and freedom at the Seville Great House Emancipation Jubilee in St. Ann’s Bay. Held annually on the eve of Emancipation Day, this culturally-loaded event which is akin to an all night vigil, honours the strength and legacy of our ancestors through music, dance, storytelling, and reflection.
Independence day Celebration
Whether you're Jamaican, part of the diaspora, or exploring Caribbean culture, this is a moving and powerful experience of resilience and unity — through the arts, community, and ancestral memory. The reading of the Emancipation Proclamation at midnight is a sombre and reflective moment which ties the whole experience together.
In addition to the first class cultural performances on stage inclusive of Maroon drumming,Jonkonnu, Kumina, and traditional folk songs, there is art and craft and traditional Jamaican food on sale. For the foodies, a walk through the food village is like a Jamaican food tour in and of itself. It is the type of food that sustained our ancestors through centuries and it is on full display from the rich Red Pea soup, the flavourful Jerk Chicken through to the irresistible Sweet Potato Pudding, plus loads more to keep you sated through the night.
A highlight of the food and beverage offerings is the chaklit (chocolate) tea served all night from massive steaming pots which never seem to run dry. As tradition goes, you bring your own cup, and it best be an Enamel tin cup - a cherished symbol of Jamaican heritage. Introduced during colonial times and favoured because it could be used over open fires without breaking, the enamel cup, or “tin cup” as it is sometimes called, represents resilience and community. They evoke memories not only of our ancestors from the plantation era, but also of "Granny" and rural village life, where they were relied upon for farm workers and schoolchildren. The warmth and aroma of the decadently delicious Jamaican cocoa pairs perfectly with the nostalgia, identity and comforting sentimental value of the treasured enamel cup! And not to worry, if you don’t bring your own, they are always on sale at a reasonable price from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) booth. Make sure to put it in a safe place for when you come back next year! And yes…. you will be back!
Emancipation Day and Independence Weekend — August 1-6
Emanci-pendence is what we call this festive season as Jamaicans celebrate not only Emancipation Day on August 1, but also Independence Day on August 6th with flags, music, food, and an overdose of national pride. Celebrations are island-wide, but head to Kingston for the Grand Gala and other activities if you want the thrill of the large crowds and huge street parades.
The Festival Village at the National Stadium in Kingston is where you can find market produce, cooked food and new products. It is always lively and as the name suggests – festive! Indeed, the food at Independence celebrations tells its own story — this is the time when traditional Jamaican dishes come out in full force. Ackee and Saltfish, Mackarel Rundown, Mannish Water (IKYK) with those all familiar sides like Festival, Bammy, Roas’ Yam and Roas’ Breadfruit just to name a few! All foods that connect directly to our history, heritage and our resilience!
Things to do in Ocho Rios⸺Best Weekend Ever, August 6-10, Ocho Rios
Looking for things to do in Ocho Rios? This summer celebration of Jamaica's Independence weekend features seven themed events blending music, fashion, food, and island culture, with daytime events providing family-friendly beach activities and cultural experiences. Right here in St. Ann — which means if you are already on a Roots & Routes experience with us, you can combine the two beautifully.
CPL Cricket at Sabina Park — August 11
Cricket anyone? August 11 marks the highly anticipated return of Caribbean Premier League action to Sabina Park in Kingston, featuring the newly established Jamaica Kingsmen taking on the Barbados Royals. If you loved Cricket as a child growing up, here’s a chance to relive some of the memories of the Cricket and food are inseparable in Jamaica. There’s plenty of food available in the food court and of course the vendors come to you with snacks and drinks. This is Jamaican social eating at its most communal — go with people you like and let the afternoon take care of itself.
