Excitement builds for Vacae Weekend

Nobody parties quite like Jamaicans, and this Easter Weekend, Ocho Rios is set to host six events over four days as part of the expanded Vacae Weekend. From April 3 to 6, locals and visitors alike will have the chance to enjoy food, fashion, and high-energy performances that have made the event a staple on the entertainment calendar.

Now in its seventh year, Vacae Weekend is expected to draw crowds from Kingston and overseas, thanks to its multiple parties and diverse line-up. The 2026 edition will feature an impressive roster of DJs, including Shukkle Bus, Don Hot, Fyahman, Ricky Platinum, and Chromatic. Live performance fans will also see hip-hop star Fabolous return to the Jamaican stage, alongside Malie Donn and Armanii.

At the launch held in New Kingston on Wednesday, government officials, sponsors, and members of the media fraternity turned up to hear what they can expect over the four days and how it will boost both the entertainment and tourism sectors in St Ann, one of the parishes hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange said Vacae Weekend is more than a party series; it is a platform for showcasing a distinctly Jamaican product, which is our culture.

“Entertainment has worth and is one of Jamaica’s most powerful engines of growth, so when our creatives thrive, Jamaica thrives. When they make money, Jamaica makes money. So the great weekend that is coming up will transform Ocho Rios into a living stage where our sound system meets our shorelines, our culinary fare meets our craft market, and our entrepreneurial energy meets an audience right across Jamaica and beyond,” the minister said.

Title sponsor Campari is all about sharing the bitters with everyone in attendance at the various signature events. The festivities kick off on Friday with The Lawn, and by day two, when everyone is more seasoned, it’s Pic Nic Beach Club followed by Tropical Saturday. Sunday will be more relaxing, with The Estate All White Soiree, while Risque takes over at night with high-energy musical juggling. The curtains come down on Monday with the Sandz Caribbean Music Festival, which boasts a pirate theme.

Mayor Michael Belnavis welcomed visitors and highlighted the potential benefits for businesses not just in Ocho Rios, but across St Ann. He noted that the local events industry is evolving, pointing to Vacae Weekend’s six consecutive shows as an example of how production standards are rising, bringing local events closer in scale and quality to international ones.

“Ocho Rios has always been recognised for its natural beauty and iconic attractions. It’s just a nice place to be. But Ochi can no longer be defined just by scenery, as we are expanding our identity and strengthening our capacity to host premium well-executed internationally appealing lifestyle events. We are diversifying tourism beyond just our regular offerings and building Brand St Ann strategically and deliberately,” he said.

He further noted, “Vacae Weekend contributes meaningfully to that transformation and allows our people to compete at the international level without even leaving home.”

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com