Montego Bay’s Creative Scene Takes Centre Stage with the Return of Mobay Creative Arts Festival

Montego Bay’s creative community is getting ready for another major celebration of art, culture and local talent as the Mobay Creative Arts Festival returns on August 30, 2026.

Taking place at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the free, family-friendly festival will bring together artists, musicians, artisans, food vendors and members of the wider community for a day centred on Western Jamaica’s creative identity.

The festival is part of Kingston Creative’s wider effort to expand its creative-economy work beyond Kingston and support a stronger cultural ecosystem in Montego Bay. The first staging in March attracted more than 1,500 patrons, along with more than 50 vendors and artisans.

A Day Dedicated to Western Jamaica’s Creatives

Visitors can expect a mix of visual art, live entertainment and hands-on experiences throughout the day.

The programme includes an art exhibition, live music performances, an Artisan Village, a food court featuring Jamaican favourites, an interactive Paint & Sip session and dance performances. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of new murals around Montego Bay.

For local creatives, events such as this provide more than an opportunity to showcase work. They create spaces where artists, makers, cultural practitioners and audiences can connect while strengthening the visibility of creative talent outside Jamaica’s capital.

That focus is increasingly important as Montego Bay continues to explore how culture can play a greater role in the city's identity and visitor experience. Earlier this month, local business leaders called for greater promotion of cultural experiences in Montego Bay, arguing that the city has an opportunity to broaden its tourism offering beyond traditional attractions.

Building a Creative Ecosystem in Montego Bay

The growth of creative events in Western Jamaica reflects a broader conversation about the role of culture in local economic development.

Rather than positioning art and culture solely as entertainment, initiatives like the Mobay Creative Arts Festival create opportunities for creatives to meet potential audiences, sell their work, collaborate and become more visible within their own communities.

For Montego Bay, this is particularly significant. The city has a growing community of artists, designers, musicians, artisans and cultural organisations, yet much of Jamaica’s creative infrastructure remains concentrated in Kingston.

The festival offers another step towards changing that.

What to Know

Mobay Creative Arts Festival

Date: August 30, 2026

Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location: Montego Bay Cultural Centre, Montego Bay

Admission: Free

The festival is open to all ages and will feature live music, art, artisans, food, interactive activities and guided mural tours.

As Montego Bay continues to develop its cultural offering, events like the Mobay Creative Arts Festival are a reminder that Jamaica’s creative economy extends far beyond Kingston. The talent is already there. Creating more spaces for that talent to be seen, experienced and supported is the next step.