In the 26 years since its inception, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival has grown from a small event with low attendance to an island-wide celebration of St. Lucian, Caribbean, and international jazz music. Originally created to entice visitors to the island during a low tourism period, it has succeeded in drawing thousands of jazz fans each year for two weeks in early May.

The festival, now called the St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, expanded with poetry, theater, art and fashion shows rounding out the creative mix. Free lunchtime and evening concerts are held across the island.

• Jazz on the Square at Derek Walcott Square in Castries
• Teatime Jazz at La Place Caranage
• Jazz on the Pier for cruise ship passengers and shoppers at Pointe Seraphine
• Jazz in the South featuring Afro-Caribbean and world music on the beach in Laborie

2018 St. Lucia Jazz Festival Venues

The 2018 St. Lucia Jazz Festival runs May 6 – 13. Headliner concerts (paid admission) are scheduled at three beautiful resorts and the festival culminates with a major concert on Mother’s Day at Pigeon Island National Park.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort is located on its own idyllic peninsula on Gros Islet with panoramic views of lush green mountains and cerulean sea. A beautiful mile-long beach along St. Lucia’s calmest waters is perfect for a romantic walk or unlimited water sports. You can stay in a swim-up suite, beachside rondoval, or even an overwater bungalow complete with butler service.

This award-winning all-inclusive resort is the venue for St. Lucia Jazz Festival A World of Jazz international artists concerts each evening May 7 – 11, 2018 (USD40/ECD100).

The new Harbor Club, Curio Collection by Hilton is located on Rodney Bay near St. Lucia’s most popular dining and entertainment venues. The casually elegant nautical styling is perfectly at home overlooking the sparkling marina. Well-appointed rooms have harbor or mountain views, and ground floor rooms have swim-up access directly from the pool to your private patio. Five restaurants offer dining from casual to gourmet and breakfast is included. Reduit Beach (pronounced RED-wee) is just minutes away by free ferry and Harbor Club offers a complimentary water taxi to Pigeon Island.

The resort will host A Taste of Bourbon Street dinner sets on May 10 – 11, 2018 (USD100/ECD270).

Royalton St. Lucia Resort & Spa offers an All-In Luxury® escape in three distinct resort sections. The general resort is family-friendly with a supervised Kids Adventures Program. The Diamond Club™ offers a higher level of service with exclusive pool, beach and dining areas and Hideaway is an adults-only oasis.

On May 11 – 12, 2018, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival presents A Musical Tapestry at the Royalton with two shows nightly (USD40/ECD100).

Pigeon Island National Landmark is a 40-acre park where you’ll find the ruins of 18th-century Fort Rodney. If you hike to the top of the fort, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular 360° views. You can discover a 16th-century French pirate’s cave lair, swim in a quiet cove, and get a glimpse of local wildlife at this “living museum.”

The St. Lucia Jazz Festival culminates on May 13, 2018 at Pigeon Island, with an eclectic Mother’s Day Special by numerous artists (USD50/ECD135).

Jazz lovers, there’s still time to make reservations to attend the 2018 St. Lucia Jazz Festival or it’s never too early to start planning for next year. Contact the vacation specialists at Covington to make all your arrangements.