Independence Events Diary

Festival Song Finals – July 27

Scheduled to start at 8 p.m., the 2019 Jamaica Festival Song Grand Final will see all 11 of the competition’s finalists going head to head in a battle of performances at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre stage in St Andrew.

Emancipation and Independence Church Service – July 28

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, will host the National Emancipation and Independence Church Service at the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre on Sunday, July 28, under the overarching Jamaica 57 Independence Festival theme ‘One Nation... One People’.

Bishop C. Everton Thomas, Emmanuel Apostolic Churches, will be the guest speaker. The ceremony will feature a performance by the Performing Arts Ministry of the Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre.

August Mawnin’ Market – August 1

On Emancipation Day, Thursday, August 1, the Jamaica 57 Independence Festival Village, located on the grounds of the National Arena in Kingston, opens bright and early at 7 p.m. with the annual August Mawnin’ Market. This event replicates the popular ‘Sat’day’ shopping experience, inclusive of reasonably priced, fresh, produce on sale.

Festival Queen Grand Coronation – August 1

The highlight of Emancipation Day will be the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Grand Coronation providing the night’s entertainment, starting at 8 p.m.

World Reggae Dance – August 2

Friday, August 2, will see the highly anticipated finals of the World Reggae Dance Championship, which will bring dancers from across the globe to the National Arena, beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Mello-Go-Roun – August 3

Saturday, August 3, is the staging of Mello Go-Roun’, the premier family festival event, which will feature the best of the best in dance, drama, music, speech and traditional folk forms, also beginning at 8 p.m.

Jamaica Gospel Song – August 4

On Sunday, August 4, the National Arena will be filled with praise for the grand final of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition beginning at 7 p.m.

Grand Gala – August 6

Independence Day, Tuesday, August 6, will see the culmination of the Independence Festival activities with a grand affair at the National Stadium with the annual cultural showcase, Grand Gala, beginning at 6 p.m.

While the daily village is free for entry, tickets for each nightly show are adults $1,000 pre-sold and $1,200 at the gate; and children $400.

Pre-sold tickets may be purchased from the JCDC head office at 3-5 Phoenix Ave, Kingston 10, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily and at the Independence Village at the JCDC’s booth between 12 noon and 5:00 pm daily.

Tickets may also be purchased at the following Fontana Pharmacy locations: Barbican, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Savanna-la-mar and Mandeville.