As Kingston continues to solidify its place as a dynamic centre for food, culture, and creativity, the Kingston Curry Festival is set to add another signature event to the capital’s culinary calendar when it unfolds at Devon House on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The one-day festival promises an immersive experience that blends bold flavours with live entertainment, visual art, and family-friendly activities. Organisers say the event is designed to celebrate curry not only as a beloved ingredient in Jamaican kitchens, but as a creative canvas for culinary innovation.

According to Leighton Davis, Managing Director of Project2Project Consultants and the festival’s chief organiser, the Kingston Curry Festival was created to spotlight the versatility of curry while elevating Jamaica’s evolving food culture.

“Curry is a staple in most Jamaican households and is cooked regularly to satisfy our love for flavour and spice. This festival gives chefs and restaurants the opportunity to showcase their best curry dishes, while patrons enjoy an experience where food, music, and culture come together,” Davis said. 

Festival-goers can expect a wide range of offerings, from traditional favourites such as curry goat, chicken, and shrimp, to more experimental selections including curried lobster, crab, and mango, each highlighting curry’s ability to enhance both savoury and sweet dishes.

“This is the one place where everything is curried. Curry brings a distinctive kick to dishes we might not normally associate with it, and that element of surprise is what sets the festival apart,” Davis said. 

More than just a food event, the Kingston Curry Festival is positioned as an all-day, all-ages experience. The programme includes live musical performances, an artisan village, and a craft market showcasing local designers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

“Jamaicans are looking for food events that are enjoyable for the entire family. This festival offers that balance, great food, engaging entertainment, and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere,” he said. 

Curry’s role in Jamaican cuisine dates back to the 19th century, when East Asian workers arrived in the Caribbean during the colonial period. Their cooking traditions blended with West African influences already present on the island, shaping the complex, layered flavours that define Jamaican food today. 

Over time, curry powder, typically a blend of turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chilli, became a defining element of local cooking.

“While curry chicken remains the most popular dish, Jamaican cuisine is far more diverse. Curry complements meats like beef, pork, and goat, and it also pairs exceptionally well with seafood such as fish and shrimp,” Davis said. 

For patrons seeking lighter fare, curry-based seafood dishes offer rich flavour without the intense heat often associated with jerk seasoning, making them appealing to a wider range of tastes.

As excitement builds, chefs and vendors are preparing to unveil their signature creations, with more than 50 vendors having participated in the festival’s most recent staging.

Blending bold flavours with cultural storytelling and family-friendly fun, the Kingston Curry Festival is set to stand out as one of Kingston’s signature food events of 2026, celebrating spice, creativity, and community in true Jamaican style.