Sandals Resorts is the official title sponsor of the Jamaica Cultural Exchange Pavilion at the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the event is less than two weeks away. Running across two weekends — April 23–26 and April 30–May 3 — the pavilion marks its 30th anniversary with a theme of “One Love Jamaica,” a celebration of the island’s culture, music, and resilience following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in fall 2025.
The Jamaica pavilion has been a fixture of Jazz Fest for three decades, but this year carries extra meaning. Three of Sandals’ most beloved Jamaica resorts — Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Royal Caribbean — remain closed as part of a $200 million reimagination project, and Jamaica’s tourism community has been working to rebuild momentum. This pavilion is one of the most visible expressions of that effort.
A Lineup Rooted in Jamaica’s Musical Legacy
The headliners alone make this worth the trip. Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley anchor the bill alongside Sean Paul, bringing three generations of Jamaican music to the heart of New Orleans. The supporting lineup includes Koffee, Protoje, Jesse Royal, Sevana, Lutan Fyah, and Grammy nominee Lila Iké, spanning contemporary reggae, afrobeats, and pop. Beyond the marquee names, the pavilion also spotlights the lesser-known sounds of Jamaican mento, gospel, jazz, and Junkanoo — genres that rarely get mainstream stage time but represent deep roots in the island’s cultural identity.
The Food and the Rum
Between sets, guests can sample authentic Jamaican street food — slow-braised oxtail with rice and peas, jerk-spiced mushrooms, and escovitch fish. The official cocktail of the pavilion is the “One Love Rum Punch,” made with Appleton Rum and served in branded Sandals cups. For anyone who has had a rum punch at a Sandals bar in Ocho Rios or Whitehouse, this is the closest thing to that experience outside the Caribbean.
The Sandals Foundation and Jamaican Artisans
The second weekend (April 30–May 3) features a special spotlight on Jamaican craftsmanship through the Sandals Foundation — the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. Two Jamaican artisans will be showcased inside the Cultural Exchange Artist Demonstration Tent: Sheldon Daily, known for handcrafted straw goods made from locally sourced materials, and Dana Bauch, a ceramics artist whose work reflects contemporary island design. Their participation is part of the Sandals Foundation’s ongoing artisan empowerment program.
Why This Matters for Jamaica Fans and Future Sandals Guests
If you’ve been thinking about booking a Sandals Jamaica vacation, the timing is significant. All three of the closed Jamaica resorts are on track to reopen later this year with completely reimagined restaurants, pools, suite categories, and social spaces. Sandals South Coast is slated to reopen November 18, followed by Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay on December 18, 2026. Bookings are open now for those dates — and the Stay More, Save More sale (which runs through April 20) still applies.
The Jazz Fest pavilion is as good a reminder as any of what makes Jamaica worth going back to. For more on what’s changing at the Jamaica properties, read our full breakdown: Sandals’ $200 Million Jamaica Reimagination: What We Know.
Book a Jamaica Vacation Through Pixie Vacations
Our team at Pixie Vacations specializes in Sandals and can help you lock in the best dates and room categories for any of the three reimagined Jamaica properties — including Sandals Royal Caribbean, with its private island, and Sandals South Coast, the only Sandals with an overwater bungalow village on the water. There’s no fee to book through a Certified Sandals Specialist, and we’ve visited every Sandals resort. Call us at 678-815-1584 or get a free quote at pixievacations.com. Also check out our Best Sandals Resorts Ranked guide for a full comparison of every property.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Sandals Jamaica pavilion at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026?
The Sandals Resorts Jamaica Cultural Exchange Pavilion runs across two weekends: April 23–26 and April 30–May 3, 2026, as part of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Who is performing at the Jamaica pavilion at Jazz Fest 2026?
Headliners include Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, and Sean Paul. The supporting lineup features Koffee, Protoje, Jesse Royal, Sevana, Lutan Fyah, and Grammy nominee Lila Iké. The pavilion also showcases mento, gospel, jazz, and Junkanoo.
Why is Sandals sponsoring the Jazz Fest Jamaica pavilion?
Sandals Resorts has sponsored the Jamaica Cultural Exchange Pavilion at Jazz Fest for 30 years as part of its commitment to promoting Jamaican culture globally. This year’s theme is “One Love Jamaica,” honoring Jamaica’s resilience following Hurricane Melissa in 2025.
Are Sandals Jamaica resorts open in 2026?
Three Sandals Jamaica resorts — Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Royal Caribbean — are currently closed for a $200 million renovation. Sandals South Coast reopens November 18, 2026, and Sandals Montego Bay and Royal Caribbean reopen December 18, 2026. You can book those dates now.
