Best Weekend Ever gets bolder in year four

July 29, 2025
Patrons enjoying a staging of Zimi Sey Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
Patrons enjoying a staging of Zimi Sey Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann.
Armanii will headline Late Check Out on August 5.
Armanii will headline Late Check Out on August 5.
Right: Aidonia is set to perform at Rise & Toast on August 4.
Right: Aidonia is set to perform at Rise & Toast on August 4.
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From August 1-5, Jamaica's premier destination party experience -- Best Weekend Ever (BWE) -- returns for its fourth staging, transforming Independence Weekend into a must-attend tradition.

What started as an invitation to Jamaicans home and abroad to celebrate Independence Weekend by enjoying the 'best' five days of entertainment in paradise - namely Ocho Rios - has now evolved into a bold escape that blends the energy of Caribbean music, culture and cuisine with the island's most exclusive party vibes. This year's event, branded as 'The 4th Escape', is sponsored by Red Stripe with a major partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Dwayne Dacres, managing director of BWE, said he anticipates an even larger audience that has grown with the brand over the last three years.

"All the events included on the Best Weekend Ever have been successfully exported within the diaspora which has seen larger patronage coming to Jamaica to celebrate Independence Weekend annually. This continues to remind us that our entertainment and culture are among our greatest assets and preserving it means sharing it boldly with the world. Each staging injects notable economic value within our paradise home and is a shared win for us as event curators and Brand Jamaica," he said. The 4th Escape will offer seven curated events, each delivering distinct energy, flavour, and unmatched style.

The weekend begins with I Love Soca Cooler Festival at Plantation Cove that sets the tone for the entire weekend. Known for artiste cameos and electrifying performances, patrons will be in good spirits with a performance from Full Blown and the Viking Queen Fay-Ann Lyons from Trinidad and Tobago.

Daybreak - Jamaica's ultimate breakfast fete - will transform Plantation Cove into a City of Gold as patrons dance as the sun rises over paradise, with spirited beverages in hand and breakfast plates full. Continuing the classy yet energy driven vibe on August 2, Milk & Honey -The Pink Fashion City, is where all fashionistas will reside. Known to be the most fashion forward event for the weekend, patrons always drip in the most couture fashion fits as they walk the proverbial runway for one night.

Zimi Sey Beach opens up the world of 'Tulum' to patrons in shades of nude on August 3 at Puerto Seco Beach. This event always brings the heat with thousands of patrons dressed in flip flops and bikinis while dancing to a beat that never stops. After that Rise & Toast, Miami's trendiest weekly brunch series, brings the 'old skool fits' and matches it with the 'new skool hits' with a performance by Aidonia on August 4. Allure, themed 'Arabian Nights' closes out the event scene on August 4 and boasts a performance by Vanessa Bling with a luxury beach club seascape at Pearly Beach. Late Check Out on August 5 will see audiences soaking up a final fiesta with a performance by Armani.

Each event is food inclusive, except I Love Soca Cooler Festival, which invites patrons to bring their coolers. This year, BWE will ignite each event with even more performances from leading local, regional, and international DJs.

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