KINGSTON, Jamaica — A two-part celebration marking the 10th anniversary of Kingston’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music is to be held this month, with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport promising it will wow authentic music lovers.

The dual overlapping events will be held across two venues on the Kingston Waterfront, featuring distinct daytime and nighttime events on February 22, 2026. Both events will be held under the tagline, Kingston Riddims.

One of those events is ‘Rae Town Vibe’, which will be powered by the Merritone Sound System at the Kingston Craft Market (festival Marketplace) with guest artiste Ska legend Stranger Cole. This event will be hosted by radio personality Burgerman. This session will highlight the origins of Jamaica’s music industry, with selections spanning ska and early reggae.

The second event is dubbed a ‘Best of the 80s and 90s’ session, which will be held at the UDC car park between 12 noon and 12 midnight, featuring high-powered sound systems Stone Love, Jamrock and Travellers .Both experiences will centre Jamaica’s iconic sound systems as the primary musical instruments, honouring the foundational role of sound systems in global music culture.

Organisers say music lovers will be treated to a smorgasbord of cultural activities to coincide with the dual bombardment of sound system culture.

“At the Kingston Craft Market (Festival Marketplace), there will be pop up museums showcasing artifacts of great producers like Striker Lee, known for producing the first reggae song, ‘Mumma No Waah No Bangarang’, plus artifacts of the work of King Tubbys, the inventor of Dub music, and of King Jammys, who heralded the age of digital dancehall,” a member of the Kingston Riddims planning committee in the ministry said.

“The National Gallery will also have displays as well, it will be like a cultural village, a great ambience created for the whole family.”

This milestone celebration recognises a decade of transformative growth, cultural pride, and creative investment for the city of Kingston.

The ministry said over the past decade, the city has strategically used its musical heritage to drive economic development, foster youth empowerment, and strengthen community cohesion.

In December 2015, Kingston was officially designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music, joining a prestigious global network committed to placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of sustainable urban development.

This recognition acknowledged Kingston’s unmatched contribution to the global music scene, as the birthplace of six influential genres: mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, and dancehall. Kingston is also recognised as the home of musical icons such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Dennis Brown.

As a city that continues to shape global culture, Kingston’s designation positioned it not just as a historic musical capital but also as a living, evolving space where music remains central to identity, innovation, and economic opportunity.