Though headlines seem to focus on failed music events in the Caribbean region, there is a huge list of annual events that draw thousands every year. Some are just getting off to a strong start and others are long-established. If you are considering a late winter or even summer getaway to the Caribbean, and you’d enjoy it even more if it included some sort of music-based event, we’ve put together a list of what music enthusiasts have ranked as the top for the coming year.
Vujaday Music Festival
This is a Barbados newcomer that has earned raves from previous years’ successes. It takes place April 1-8th in 2020 and features many noted house and techno music artists.
Tmrw.Tday Culture Fest
Equal parts spiritual and music festival, it is a recent innovation that takes place in the Negril Beach area of Jamaica. Along the seven-mile stretch of beachfront, participants can, as one expert wrote, “Embark on a six-day journey of consciousness, conviction and growth through wellness, music, dance, art, nature and natural therapies.”
There are regular reggae and house music events directly on the waterfront, and it all centers around the Irie Soul Retreat.
SXM Festival
This is a well-known five-day event on Saint Martin and it features “the creme of international DJs and electronic music talent, SXM Festival prides it itself upon drawing the most discerning crowd of music lovers.” Because of this, anyone eager to attend in March of 2020, must make their accommodations arrangements in advance. Luxury rentals are widely available and since almost any part of the island is easily reached, it is a good way to enjoy a relaxing, quiet, and even opulent getaway while attending the various SXM Festival events.
Pirates Week
This is a national festival celebrated every year in the Cayman Islands, and usually over the course of several weekends in November. Though that is a long way ahead for 2020, it is important to note how wildly popular it is and how valuable it can be to book your luxury villa far in advance to ensure you enjoy the best experience possible. Not strictly a music festival, it is still one of the most celebrated events with music, food, and other activities all over the three islands.
St. Kitts Music Festival
Another music festival far in the future, but one that requires a bit of advanced planning to make the most of the experience. Taking place in July and hosted in Basseterre, it is often spills over from late June and into July, and is decades old. It draws names from all over the world, and as one expert explained, after “two decades, the event is now the top music festival in the entire Caribbean, blending Soul, Soca, Jazz, R&B, Calypso, Meringue, Zouk, Cadence, Dancehall, Reggae, Gospel and Blues, into a potpourri of musical delights.”
Of course, there is far more than just music to enjoy and people of all ages will appreciate the chance to meet islanders also celebrating the environment, food, and culture that makes St. Kitts such an unforgettable paradise.
My Morning Jacket One Big Holiday
This unique event has been taking place for several years and is hosted in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Dates for 2020 have yet to firmed up, but it is usually a late March event that occurs at the Hard Rock Hotel within the Punta Cana resort area. Attendees can stay “active by participating in artist workshops, poolside games and morning yoga, or spend your days sunbathing or decompressing at the spa. In the evening, get decked out for our theme night, head to one of the all-inclusive restaurant options for dinner, and gear up for a night of music.”
Reggae Sumfest
This is one of Jamaica’s leading celebrations that occurs every July in the Montego Bay area of the island. As one might guess, it is important to book early to get a premium accommodation and make plans for the days of the event. It is not unusual to see such names as Rihanna, 50 Cent, and others making appearances on the main stage.
SOLEIL Saint Lucia Summer Festival
This is a jazz festival every May and it is a partnership with Lincoln Center in New York, guaranteeing the very best musical performances possible.
Barbados Reggae Festival
Jamaica does not have the entire market on great reggae, and the annual event is actually four major events that take place over the course of a few days in April. The event books quickly and accommodations can be difficult to find. Booking a luxury villa ahead of time is a sure-fire way to enjoy the different shows and performances as well as a quiet and opulent beach experience.
Dominica World Creole Music Festival Roseau
Though far into the season, this October event has been occurring for decades and showcases the music and the language of the Creole speaking people. Billboard Magazine says that “the lineup includes superstars within Dominica’s indigenous cadence-lypso and propulsive bouyon music, zouk artists from neighboring Guadeloupe and Martinique and Haitian kompa acts, alongside African soukous, New Orleans’ zydeco as well as marquee dancehall, reggae and soca artists.”
Make Music One of Your Holiday Goals
There is no doubt that most travelers associate the entire Caribbean region with excellent music, beautiful landscapes, and great food. It is also home to many world-class luxury villas that can enhance the enjoyment and pleasure of any visit. When considering your next vacation or getaway, or when looking to enjoy a new world music experience, think of some of the festivals above, and book yourself a private retreat readily available through one of the many luxury villas in the Caribbean region.
With properties sized for singles, couples, or enormous groups, it could be the best way to visit one of the beautiful, unique islands, enjoy top of the line surroundings, full household services (including many luxury villas with chefs, butlers and a concierge), and then head to the music festivals to savor the sound.