‘Dream Weekend is becoming part of Montego Bay’ Organisers unveil big plans for the five-day festival

The ladies’ favourite Dexta Daps, Alkaline, Govana and Montego Bay’s own Tommy Lee Sparta and Shaniel Muir will headline Dream Weekend’s debut in the tourism capital from July 30 to August 3, and, organisers are promising the festival’s biggest and boldest production yet.

Against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea at Pier One on Wednesday night, Dream Weekend’s Head of Operations Macherie Samuels unveiled a five-day entertainment package that she said will take the 16-year-old festival into a new era. Samuels said the move from Negril to Montego Bay is about more than changing venues. It is about reimagining the Dream Weekend experience.

“Every great brand has to keep evolving, and Dream Weekend has never stood still,” Samuels told guests at the official launch.

“Montego Bay gives us the opportunity to write the next chapter, building on everything that came before, on all that we learned, and create an experience that’s even bigger, bolder and more immersive.”

She said months of venue negotiations, site visits, production meetings and logistical planning have gone into what she described as one of the most ambitious festivals Dream Weekend has produced.

The action begins on Thursday, July 30, with Xodus, presented by Campari, featuring Jamal. Samuels said Dream Weekend has partnered with The Vanguards, a group of Montego Bay event promoters, for the opening event.

“This partnership is important because Dream Weekend isn’t just coming to Montego Bay; we’re becoming part of Montego Bay,” she said.

The night of Friday, July 31, belongs to Dream Live at the Aqueduct, where Alkaline and Govana will headline what Samuels said is expected to be one of the biggest live concert experiences of the summer. She said the Aqueduct’s expansive footprint will allow organisers to deliver large-scale production and “breathtaking nighttime spectacles” beyond the usual stage and speakers.

On Saturday, August 1, the Montego Bay Convention Centre will be transformed for two different experiences. By day, the venue will host Daydreams, with a performance by Dexta Daps. By night, the space will become Yush, a throwback party presented by Red Stripe, featuring Elephant Man and General B. Samuels said patrons are being encouraged to wear school uniforms for Yush, which will celebrate the dancehall and party culture of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Sunday, August 2, brings Wet and Wild, presented by Magnum, to The Palms in Rose Hall, featuring Skeng and Armanii. Samuels said the event will include three activity zones, a premium poolside lounge for Diamond guests, seaside rides, foam cannons and water trucks. That night, patrons will move to the lawns of Pier One for Fulla Vybz, where sportswear and jerseys will be the dress code.

On Monday, August 3, the Montego Bay Convention Centre will again be transformed for Xodus Remedy. Samuels said the event will blend soca, dancehall and carnival and will culminate in a mini road march led by Byron, with carnival trailers bringing the spirit of carnival to Jamaica’s second city.

Dream Weekend will close with Igloo, presented by Smirnoff, featuring Tommy Lee Sparta and Shaniel Muir. Samuels said the final event will use massive stage screens to take patrons on a musical journey across Jamaica, making it appear as though DJs are performing from some of the island’s most iconic locations, including Emancipation Park, Dunn’s River, Pelican Bar and other destinations across the island.

She said every decision this year has been guided by one question: how to make Dream Weekend better, not just bigger.