Dream Weekend bids farewell to Negril – heads to Montego Bay in 2026
Key Points(5)
- After 16 unforgettable years on Jamaica’s scenic west coast, Dream Weekend, one of the island’s largest and most celebrated party weekends, is making a major move.
- Organizers have officially announced that starting in 2026, the multi-day festival will trade Negril’s shores for the bustling tourism capital of Montego Bay.
- The decision, revealed last night during a press event at Pier 1 in Montego Bay by Dream Entertainment Chairman Kamal Bankay, comes after years of mounting concerns about limited accommodation, transportation challenges, and other logistical hurdles in Negril.
- The announcement follows speculation in the last few weeks that Dream had outgrown its longtime home city.
- With summer festivals and other activities heating up over Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence weekend, the Dream Entertainment Chairman encouraged attendees by sharing, “The Greatest Wknd is Happening in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
After 16 unforgettable years on Jamaica’s scenic west coast, Dream Weekend, one of the island’s largest and most celebrated party weekends, is making a major move. Organizers have officially announced that starting in 2026, the multi-day festival will trade Negril’s shores for the bustling tourism capital of Montego Bay.
The decision, revealed last night during a press event at Pier 1 in Montego Bay by Dream Entertainment Chairman Kamal Bankay, comes after years of mounting concerns about limited accommodation, transportation challenges, and other logistical hurdles in Negril. The announcement follows speculation in the last few weeks that Dream had outgrown its longtime home city.
With summer festivals and other activities heating up over Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence weekend, the Dream Entertainment Chairman encouraged attendees by sharing, “The Greatest Wknd is Happening in Montego Bay, Jamaica. See you for Dream Weekend 2026. Book your tickets now and save.” Dream Weekend 2025 is slated for July 30 - August 3, 2026.
The announcement follows comments earlier this week from Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Jason Russell, who pointed to the city’s proven track record with major events like Reggae Sumfest and the now-defunct Jazz and Blues Festival. Russell expressed optimism that Montego Bay’s capacity to host large-scale festivals would make it a natural fit for Dream Weekend.
Montego Bay’s capacity has been proven through large festivals like reggae sumfest which welcomed more than 50,000 patrons over two nights. In July, Jamaica recorded over 286,548 stop over visitors, most of whom entered the country via Montego Bay’s Donald Sangster International Airport.
The move is being hailed as a win for all stakeholders. Montego Bay offers a robust hospitality infrastructure, greater transportation access, and an overall tourism capacity that organizers believe will elevate the Dream Weekend experience for patrons, sponsors, and performers alike.
In a follow-up social media post, Bankay extended gratitude to “our phenomenal sponsors, our fantastic patrons, and our extraordinary team for making Dream Wknd Negril, 2025 one for the books.”
With Montego Bay’s world-class resorts, vibrant nightlife, and airport proximity, 2026 could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Dream Weekend—one that keeps the beats pumping and the crowds coming for years to come.
