Urban Development Corporation (UDC) returns with the fireworks festival this December 31, 2025, continuing a cherished national tradition that brings Jamaicans together as the year draws to a close.

This year’s festival takes on added meaning as it expands to two additional parishes — St Elizabeth and Westmoreland — ensuring that more communities, particularly those hardest hit by the hurricane, can share in the experience.

As customary, events will be staged in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios.

The decision to proceed with the festival comes against the backdrop of ongoing national recovery efforts.

The UDC has underscored the importance of creating safe, uplifting spaces where families and communities can come together, reconnect, and usher in the new year with a renewed sense of hope.

“After a challenging period for many Jamaicans, moments of togetherness are especially important,” said Norman Brown, UDC chairman. “The Fireworks Festival has always been about bringing people together in shared spaces, strengthening community bonds, and creating positive moments that lift spirits.”

In keeping with this approach, the UDC has adopted a thoughtful and scaled format for this year’s festival. While the iconic fireworks display will remain the centrepiece of each event, the overall experience will focus on meaningful, community-oriented celebration, with good music, a relaxed atmosphere, and opportunities for socialising leading up to the fireworks.

Rather than live performances, emphasis will be on creating welcoming environments where families can gather, enjoy music, and share the moment together as the year comes to an end.

The approach will resemble a street party, with well-known DJs curating engaging musical selections leading up to the fireworks display.

A key feature of this year’s festival will be the continued inclusion of kiddies’ villages at all locations, providing safe, exciting spaces for children to enjoy activities, entertainment, and simple joys designed especially for them. The UDC says this element is particularly important as part of its commitment to giving children a chance to smile, play, and feel a sense of normalcy and celebration.

“The adjustments to this year’s format were made deliberately and with care,” said Bobby Honeyghan, general manager at UDC. “Our goal was to preserve the spirit of the fireworks festival while being mindful of the national context. We want to create opportunities for meaningful fun, togetherness, and ringing in the new year in a way that reflects resilience, optimism, and consideration for our communities.”