Spend a Magical Christmas in Jamaica – Traditions & Customs
In this post I’m sharing the customs and traditions of a Jamaican Christmas – plus all of my recommendations for having your own incredible Christmas holiday away from home.
I’ve had the pleasure of spending Christmas with my parents and daughter in Jamaica. And let me tell you—it was absolutely unforgettable. Christmas is, in fact, one of the most popular holidays in Jamaica. If you’re deciding to enjoy Christmas in Jamaica, I’ve got you covered. Below, I’ll share everything I learned from our vacation that can help make yours all the more memorable!
Short on time? Here are my top tips for your Jamaican Christmas holiday.
- You’ll find many similarities between the ways Jamaicans celebrate Christmas and how it’s celebrated in the U.S. Differences include the Junkanoo parade and Boxing Day.
- My top recommendation for where to stay for a Christmas visit to Jamaica? Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay. They go all out for Christmas.
- Jamaican food is some of the best Caribbean food there is, IMO. Don’t leave without trying some of my faves: curry goat and gungo peas, with Jamaican Christmas cake for dessert.
- Don’t forget to bring a few of your own traditional items from home, too.
It probably goes without saying, but spending Christmas in a beautiful island like Jamaica is a magical experience, where the warm island breeze mixes with the festive spirit, creating a unique holiday atmosphere.
From the vibrant street markets to the rich traditions like Grand Market, celebrating Christmas in Jamaica blends tropical beauty with heartwarming cultural festivities, making it a holiday to remember.
Christmas in Jamaica – Where to Stay
The foundation to ANY incredible vacation – and especially any Christmas vacation away from home – is the ideal place to stay.
Royalton Blue Waters, Montego Bay
During my own Christmas trip to Jamaica, I stayed with my family in Montego Bay at Royalton Blue Waters. And the experience was unforgettable!
Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay is a stunning all-inclusive resort that is perfect for families and couples. And they make Christmas away from home an incredible experience.
Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay, Jamaica offers an unforgettable vacation experience with its impressive variety of restaurants, including both sit-down and buffet options.
We enjoyed a wide array of activities, multiple pools, beach parties, and barbecues. The friendly staff ensured that we felt welcomed from the moment we arrived.
Spending Christmas here was magical. The resort went all out in various ways, featuring an over-the-top buffet on Christmas Day, a holiday beach parade, live Christmas music, and festive decorations everywhere.
We even did a beautiful dinner on the beach at the hotel one night.
It was our first Christmas away from home, and the incredible atmosphere made it the best place for this first experience. If I could always have this type of experience, I’d travel for Christmas every year!
✅ Check prices and book your stay at Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay by clicking HERE!
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall Adults Only All-Inclusive (Montego Bay)
Looking for a great Montego Bay pick if you are traveling without kids? Try Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall Adults Only All-Inclusive (Montego Bay). This adults-only resort is perfect for couples or anyone wanting a somewhat quiet getaway during the holiday season. With its private beach and world-class dining, you can expect an intimate Christmas experience here.
Moon Palace Jamaica Ocho Rios
Planning to stay in Ocho Rios? Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, offers a luxurious escape with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and top-notch amenities. This all-inclusive resort boasts elegant rooms with private balconies, multiple pools, and an array of restaurants serving everything from local Jamaican cuisine to international favorites. Whether you’re lounging on the pristine beach or indulging in a spa treatment, Moon Palace provides a peaceful retreat with exceptional service.
It’s also conveniently located near popular attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain, making it easy to explore the natural beauty of Jamaica.
Strawberry Hill Hotel (near Kingston)
For a completely different vibe, consider staying at Strawberry Hill Hotel in the Blue Mountains near Kingston. What I especially love about this resort is how it’s perched high above the city. You’ll get breathtaking views of Kingston as well as a more secluded atmosphere. Plus, Strawberry Hill Hotel is just a short drive to Kingston (where you can explore the city’s rich Christmas traditions).
The Weather: A Warm Jamaican Christmas
When I was choosing a spot to celebrate the holidays, one of the first things that struck me was the weather. Jamaican Christmas is all about warm sunshine and cool breezes—great for a change when traveling from cold climates!
Gone were the freezing temperatures and snowflakes we’re used to; instead, we basked in 80°F (around 27°C) weather. As unrealistic as it sounded, we found it super refreshing to swap winter coats for swimsuits and sandals.
Whether we were lounging by the pool or exploring the island—the weather made it feel like a laid-back summer holiday. If that’s something that appeals to you, Jamaica is a must to visit in the holidays.
What to Pack for Jamaica During Christmas
You probably guessed from the weather—packing for Jamaica would be different from your usual holiday packing list. Here’s what my entire family found essential for our Christmastime visit to Jamaica:
- Lightweight and breathable clothing (think shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and light tops)
- Swimwear + cover-ups for beach days
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Comfy sneakers and sandals
- Festive outfits for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any special dinners (Not those ugly Christmas sweaters, though. Consider something lightweight, like linen dresses)
- Reusable water bottles. Staying hydrated is key in warm climates!
Oh, and did I say swimwear? You’ll want a couple of pairs so you always have a dry one available.
Christmas Traditions in Jamaica
To make the most of your Christmas while traveling in Jamaica, you want to know about its holiday traditions first. This will make sure you don’t miss any of the major celebrations.
Christmas Eve Grand Market
Are you a shopper? Well then for you this truly is “the most wonderful time of the year.” 🎶 And you’ll love the Grand Market.
Festivities in Jamaica kick off on 24th December with the Grand Market—or, as you’d hear the locals saying it, Gran’ Market. This is a festival that takes place in towns and cities throughout Jamaica. During the day, we saw locals doing their Christmas shopping.
We even looked forward to meeting Santa Claus here. (Yep, you heard that right. You can also meet Santa Claus in warm climates 😁).
As the night approached, the festivities began. From 6 pm on to Christmas Day, children and adults filled the streets. We roamed around here—and didn’t miss the chance to enjoy jerk chicken and boiled corn from the vendors. After the Grand Market, Jamaicans either party or head to a midnight Mass service.
Jamaican Christmas Pantomime
This has been a beloved tradition since the 1940s, and it’s a must-see if you love international folk culture. Pantomime is basically a showcase of local dances and songs that pay homage to Jamaica’s culture. You can also expect parodies of current events/individuals. From the early days (when it was based on classic children’s fairy stories), this event is held at Christmastime. Over the years, it has become a holiday tradition.
Junkanoo street parade
Junkanoo is a street masquerade event that was first observed in the 19th century. Today, it is celebrated by many islands in the Caribbean. The masquerade features characters like the King and Queen, Pitchy Patchy, Cowhead, and more. You can also find bands playing music with bamboo fifes and cow horns, among other instruments.
Christmas Caroling
This is a vibrant part of Jamaican tradition, where you can expect both local songs and reimagined classics. With many Jamaican artists releasing Christmas albums, there’s plenty of unique material to choose from. I especially enjoyed “We Wish You An Irie Christmas” by Jacob Miller and Ray I and “Santa Ketch Up Inna Mango Tree” by Faith D’Aguilar. They’re infused with reggae beats that make it easy to join in the festive rhythm.
Boxing Day
In Jamaica, the Christmas celebrations don’t end on the 25th—Boxing Day is another big public holiday, filled with even more festivities! On the 26th, we noticed that the streets were lively again, with people heading to the beach, attending parties, or simply enjoying the day off. We spent the day at the beach ourselves. (Read: soaking up the sun and thinking about how different this Christmas felt compared to the chilly, indoor celebrations we were used to)
Traditional Jamaican Christmas Food
Another one of our favorite parts of visiting Jamaica during Christmas was the food. Good food is never in short supply in Jamaica. You’ll definitely find something that satisfies those taste buds.
First, the traditional Christmas day breakfast (or brunch). This brings out some of the best national dishes and other tasty treats, so I definitely recommend experiencing it. Generally, Christmas breakfast in Jamaica will include popular dish ackee and saltfish, fried plantains, breadfruit, boiled bananas, freshly squeezed fruit juice, and tea.
Christmas dinner is one of the most anticipated meals in Jamaica. Traditional Jamaican Christmas dinner typically includes ham, curried goat, oven-baked chicken, oxtail, and fish. We devoured curried goat with rice and gungo (pigeon) peas for dinner on Christmas at Royalton Blue Waters.
Last (but definitely not the least), the desserts and drinks. Christmas is one time of year when you definitely want to save some space for dessert—especially because you’ll have so many options in Jamaica. We started our holiday meals with a glass of Sorrel drink: a traditional drink made from hibiscus flowers, and spiced with ginger, cloves, and rum. It’s sweet, tangy, and just the perfect way to toast to the holidays.
Another popular Jamaican drink during the holidays is Jamaican Guinness punch. Guinness Stout, condensed milk, Supligen, and essential spices (sometimes angostura bitters) are included in this beverage.
And if you have a sweet tooth (or if you just like rum!), Jamaican Christmas cake is something you’ll love! This is a dark and rich fruit cake soaked in Jamaican white rum. We loved how dense and full of flavor it was. Mhm 😋
Want to make sure you know not only which Jamaican foods you HAVE TO TRY, but also where to find them while visiting Jamaica? Get my free list top 10 foods to try🍴 HERE.
Tips for Making Christmas Special
When Traveling Away from Home
Celebrating the Christmas season away from home can sometimes feel a bit weird, even while you’re having a great time. But not when you’re fully prepped. Here are a few tips to follow to make your Christmas away from home as special as possible.
- Bring a bit of home along. We packed a few small Christmas decorations and our favorite holiday treats, like mini Christmas trees and Christmas lights from the dollar store. We also brought our Christmas stocking filled with stocking-stuffers This really helped make our hotel room feel festive and familiar.
- This is a great opportunity to embrace the local Jamaican Christmas traditions. Instead of trying to recreate your usual Christmas at home, take the challenge and try new stuff. Whether it’s attending a popular Grand Market or trying new foods, the Jamaican culture will really make your Christmas celebration unique.
- Stay connected with your loved ones. Even though we were miles away from the rest of our family, we made time for video calls on Christmas Day. It helped bridge the distance—and made us feel closer to those we love.
FAQs
How does Jamaica celebrate Christmas?
Like any place around the world, Jamaica has its own traditions for Christmas. The Gran’ Market, Junkanoo street parade, Christmas caroling… the list goes on.
Is Jamaica a good place to go for the holidays?
If you’re looking for a warm (and unique) Christmas celebration, Jamaica is actually a great place to head to. We loved our experience there and could recommend it to anyone.
What is Merry Christmas in Jamaican?
The same as we do in the U.S., just with a Jamaican accent! You’ll want to have the Jamaican words to say Merry Christmas. And, lucky for you, it’s easy to remember: ‘Merri Crissmuss’.
Is Christmas a holiday in Jamaica?
Yep. Of the 10 public holidays in Jamaica, Christmas (25th December) and Boxing Day (26th December) are two of the most popular ones.
Is Jamaica a good destination for Christmas with kids?
From my experience, I can say it is for sure! My daughter absolutely loved the holidays we spent there—and we can’t wait to experience it again as a family.
Are shops and attractions open on Christmas Day in Jamaica?
Many shops close on Christmas Day, but resorts usually organize special activities, and some tourist spots remain open. Planning ahead can help you make the most of your vacation 🎄
Thinking about Negril for your trip to Jamaica, check out this post to help you plan a dream Negril experience.