Jamaica Carnival 2027: dates, what to expect and how to go

Jamaica Carnival takes place in the week after Easter, so its date moves each year. Easter Sunday 2027 is 28 March, so Carnival falls in early April. The official 2027 calendar hasn't been published yet; we'll update this page when it is.

Our Jamaica Carnival 2027 trip runs 31 March–6 April 2027 (7 days), or 2–6 April (5 days).

The carnival calendar starts well before road day, with breakfast parties, fetes and J'ouvert events from January and February, and it builds to a grand masquerade of costumes, music and dancing through the streets of Kingston. Carnival in Jamaica took shape in the 1990s, led by Byron Lee, who brought elements of Trinidad's carnival home.

This is the shape of our Jamaica Carnival itinerary, day by day. Events can change from year to year, so the trip page always has the current plan.

• Day 1: Arrive in Jamaica – Meet and Greet – Illuminate. Arrive at Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) and transfer to your hotel in Kingston to settle in.
• Day 2: Trip to St Elizabeth – Rytz. Today the group heads west to St. Elizabeth. First comes a 90-minute tour of the Appleton Rum Estate, with a look around the distillery and a rum tasting.
• Day 3: Trip to Ocho Rios – Duck Work. Travel to Ocho Rios on the north coast to climb the cascading terraces of Dunn's River Falls, a classic Jamaican experience that is as refreshing as it is fun.
• Day 4: J’ouvert – Strut Jamaica. Start the day at J'ouvert with GenXS: music, paint and revelry through the early hours. The rest of the day is yours to rest, catch some sun or explore.
• Day 5: Carnival Street Parade (Full Costume). Road day. Put on your full costume and parade through the streets of Kingston with GenXS. When the parade ends, the celebrations carry on at the GenXS after-party.
• Day 6: Trip to Hellshire Beach. The morning is yours to take at your own pace. Later, the group heads to Hellshire Beach for seafood at the well-known Screechie's Seafood Bar, followed by the beach party there.
• Day 7: Depart Jamaica. Enjoy your last morning in Jamaica. Depending on your departure time, there may be a few hours for last-minute shopping before you say goodbye to the group and transfer to the airport.

From US$3,849 per person sharing; shorter options from US$2,949.

Costumes are bought directly from the band. On our trip you play mas with GenXS (registration through genxsjamaica.com), and we help with registration and choosing your section. International flights and travel insurance are extra.

Compare every carnival in Caribbean carnival packages 2027.

You’ll need to fly into and out of Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). Airport transfers are not provided when arriving at any other airport.

Our small groups of 6 to 16 travellers include fete tickets, hotel, airport transfers and a Soca Islands host. See the Jamaica Carnival trip for dates, prices and what's included.