Jamaican Holidays and Celebrations You Should Know
- New Year's – Public Holiday.
- Accompong Maroon Festival – Celebration.
- Easter – Public Holiday.
- Jamaica Carnival – Celebration.
- International Reggae Day – Celebration.
- Labor Day – Public Holiday.
- Emancipation Day – Public Holiday.
- Independence Day – Public Holiday.
The Christmas Day breakfast includes ackee and saltfish, breadfruit, fried plantains, boiled bananas, freshly squeezed fruit juice and tea. Dinner is usually served in the late afternoon and this may include turkey, chicken, curry goat, stewed oxtail and very importantly rice and peas.
Jamaicans are festive people by nature and love to celebrate as much as the next person. Although we do not celebrate 4h of July or Thanksgiving in Jamaica, we have no problem celebrating with you all as long as there is good food, good people, and good vibes present. Most Jamaicans are not fond of turkey.
It may be winter where you're from but in Jamaica, December is warm and sunny. Jamaica weather in December makes it a popular time to visit. You'll exchange snow for high temperatures and get to enjoy the heat without much chance of rain.
The Maypole dance originated in the 15th century and is now the national dance of St.Vincent, performed on May 1 (May Day). It celebrates the coming of spring and new growth. The dance was introduced to the island by slaves and was usually on May 27, Queen Victoria's Birthday.
'Mi deh yah, yuh know'While the literal translation is 'I am here', the implied meaning is 'everything is ok', or 'I'm doing well'.
The flag consists of a gold saltire, which divides the flag into four sections: two of them green (top and bottom) and two black (hoist and fly).
Flag of Jamaica.
| Names | The Cross, Black, green and gold |
| Use | National flag and civil ensign |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 6 August 1962 |
Hail up – Hi or HelloMostly used by Jamaican men especially those practicing the Rastafarian faith.
How to Say Goodbye in Jamaican Patois
- “Lickkle more†– translates to “little more†but means see you later.
- “Mi Gaan†– I'm gone, Goodbye.
- “Lata†– Later ; See you later.
- “Inna Di Morrows†– See you tomorrow.
- “Walk gud / tek care†– Stay Safe / Take Care.
Christmas in the Caribbean is a most joyous time as on most islands there is plenty of partying, visiting and festivity. And like elsewhere in the world, Caribbean Christmas season's activities are centered around family gatherings, with food and music playing a key role in the celebrations.
Christmas in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as it is in other Western countries. As it is across the globe, December 25th is the official holiday in Canada, with many Canadians also taking time off on the afternoon of the 24th (Christmas Eve) as well as Boxing Day, celebrated on the 26th.
Christmas in Jamaica is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent.
Fruits and Foods in Season in Jamaica in December
- Citrus. The main citrus crop bears between November and April.
- June Plum. This fruit surrounds a spiky fibrous core.
- Ackee. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica.
- Avocado. Jamaicans refer to "avocado" as "pear" and they eat pear with almost everything, even bread!
- Sugarcane.
Jamaican congregants often wear black to church services for mass on Good Friday. On Easter day, everyone brings out their white and most colorful clothing to celebrate the Resurrection. Adults put an egg white in a glass of water on Holy Thursday night.
Santa Claus is known as Saint Nicholas or Saint nick in Jamaica.
Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Santa, Santy and Kris Kringle, whatever you call him, Santa Claus is the face of Christmas. This gift-bearing Western world import has found favour with Jamaican children and has become a part of the Jamaican Christmas landscape for decades.
What is Jamaica like in December and during the holidays? In December, Jamaica's peak season starts, and the temperature is around 84 °F. The chance of rainfall decreased significantly, and the ocean temperature is around 82 °F. The wind is calm and nighttime temperatures are around 72 - 75 °F.
Père Noël (French pronunciation: ​[pÉ›Ê nÉ”. É›l]), "Father Christmas", sometimes called 'Papa Noël' ("Daddy Christmas"), is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas, identified with the Father Christmas and/or Santa Claus of English-speaking territories.
Christmas Market or Grand Market as it was also called was held on the morning of Christmas Day. These special markets occupied the front doors of legitimate business who were closed for the holiday in the town or village square.
4 Ways to Embrace Caribbean Culture
- Eat, Drink and be Merry.
- Understanding local dialect.
- Feel the rhythm.
- Folklore and storytelling.
