The Carnival in Jamaica (CIJ) National Stakeholders Committee has unveiled the official calendar of events for the 2022 carnival season, which is set to begin on Friday, July 1, and end with the St. Thomas Carnival on July 16.
“We are mindful of the significant economic loss our country has suffered from not hosting Carnival in Jamaica and its related events, which generate billions of dollars annually, with many small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) benefiting from the celebrations. Therefore, as the country continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to announce that we are forging ahead with plans for the 2022 season of Carnival in Jamaica,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
“Jamaica has not hosted carnival since April 2019, due to the pandemic. Therefore, we look forward to seeing an even bigger carnival celebration this year, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on tourism arrivals and earnings,” Bartlett added.
The season kicks off with pre-events such as Hard Wine, Bacchanal Rum for Breakfast, and Soca Vs. Dancehall, which will take place from June 24-26, 2022, and will include the grand Carnival Road Parade on July 10.
Other events in July include: Xodus Tailgate, Sunakissed, Bacchanal J'ouvert, Duck Work, PM: The Official Pre-Mas Fete, Xodus Remedy, and the post-Carnival Road Parade event — Big Wall.
“Carnival has become a staple of the entertainment landscape in Jamaica. As a result, we are delighted to embrace the calendar of events for Carnival in Jamaica 2022, which will feature events in Kingston, St. Thomas, and St. Ann,” said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange. "As the entertainment sector continues to recover, more of these mega events are needed in Jamaica to help stabilize our economy and further boost our status as a country of culture and entertainment. We are particularly pleased to have this event again in Kingston, which is truly coming into its own as the Entertainment Mecca of the Caribbean, reinforced in large measure by its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music."
Carnival in Jamaica was launched in 2017 and is used as the umbrella brand for all carnival activities during the carnival period, making it a national product. This is an annual undertaking that aims to transform the carnival experience locally. It is a key initiative of the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, with support from the Jamaica Tourist Board and key stakeholders.
In 2023, Carnival in Jamaica will return to its usual staging in April. For more information, visit topeventsinjamaica.com.
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