The second staging of Dancehall Week will be from Sunday, February 23, 2025, to Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

The series coincides with the official Reggae Month celebrations.

Following a successful inaugural year endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), and the Ministry of Tourism, Dancehall Week 2025 aims to expand on its initial success.

The festival is designed to celebrate the vibrant dancehall culture, which has become a cornerstone of Jamaica’s identity and plays a role in attracting millions of visitors to the island, generating an estimated US$4.27 billion in tourism revenue in 2023.

“After reflecting on our first year, we realised the need to broaden our engagement with the dancehall community. By adding diverse events and free educational workshops, we aim to support the growth and professional development of everyone in the dancehall ecosystem, from dancers and artistes to producers and managers,” Dancehall Week CEO Dave Goldson told the Jamaica Observer.

The second staging will introduce the ‘Dancehall Village’ that offers a museum-like journey through dancehall’s evolution from the 1980s to the present. It will feature the Cannabis Village showcasing cannabis companies and advocates; areas hosting a series of free workshops on various dancehall topics; a dance studio offering classes for locals and tourists; a marketplace for dancehall books, merchandise, crafts, and clothing; and a museum showcasing critical pieces of dancehall history and art.

Meanwhile, Talisa Taylor, project manager, highlighted the economic and educational potential of the Dancehall Village.

“Dancehall has captivated audiences worldwide. The Dancehall Village is not just an attraction; it’s an educational hub that showcases the profound impact of dancehall culture, from grass roots to global stages. Collaborating with scholars and local artistes, we’ve curated exhibits that even lifelong fans will find enlightening. Our partnerships with local hotels and tour operators are set to enhance the experience, making it an unmissable event for both locals and tourists,” Taylor told the Observer.