File Photo Grand Market
December 22, 2025
10 ways to spend Christmas Eve
Despite the challenges this year, Christmas in Jamaica is a season that remains beautiful and bright. And almost as important as Christmas Day, are our Christmas Eve festivities! Here are 10 ways to spend Christmas Eve this year:
Gran’ Market
A classic Christmas Eve, especially in rural Jamaica, is spent in the nearest town at Gran’ Market.For families with children it will be an especially delightful event, shops open late, toys and trinkets for sale cover every surface and roads are reduced to walking paths, all in the name of pre-Christmas fun. Consider this environment of cheer for your Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve mass/church service
For the pious, Christmas Eve is an ideal time to reconnect with God, celebrating the reason for the season. Spending the evening in quiet reflection or joyful praise may be just what you need.
Movie marathon
Christmas movies are an easy way to put yourself in the holiday mood, consider lining up a couple and relaxing with some popcorn, sorrel, rum punch, egg nog or whatever your drink of choice and spending Christmas Eve in this year. Quiet, cozy and full of cheer!
Last-minute shopping
If your tree is looking a bit bare because your presents haven’t been bought yet, we don’t judge! Consider using Christmas Eve as a final opportunity to stuff all the stockings and purchase that toy your child has been itching for.
Turn up!
For all the party animals out there every holiday is an excuse to turn up the fun. Seek out Christmas events near you, grab your designated driver and go have fun. Always remember to drink responsibly, call a rideshare if you are inebriated or sleep it off. It’s always better to arrive alive.
Prep the food
Christmas dinner doesn’t just happen, it takes hours of meticulous work. Get a leg up and start your preparations on Christmas Eve to make the day just a little bit easier.
Volunteering
The holidays can be a lonely time for those of us who are unable to partake in festivities. Consider donating your time and resources to helping the vulnerable in your area. Following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, there are thousands of Jamaicans who need support! Together we can make a difference.
Carolling
Christmas music is a defining part of the yearly holiday season, singers who want to bless their community can consider taking part in a Christmas Eve carolling troupe, adding a little bit of magic to those spending the night in.
Resting
For so many Jamaicans, it has been a whirlwind of a year. Taking a night to relax and unwind with no expectations or deadlines can be the ideal way to spend Christmas Eve.
Grab a Christmas novel
The Booktok ladies and gents know that sometimes a movie just doesn’t hit the spot. If you’re one of the people who love burying yourself in a book, a short Christmas novel, ice cold sorrel and your reading light might be the best way to do Christmas Eve this year.
