Reggae artistes Jesse Royal and Etana will lead the live entertainment line-up at this year’s Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (JFDF) bringing a strong musical presence to two of the festival’s signature events.

Jesse Royal headlined KUYAH, the festival’s opening night experience on the Kingston waterfront. Known for his conscious lyrics and commanding stage presence, he delivered a performance that blends roots-reggae energy with the vibrant atmosphere of the waterfront event, which has become a defining part of the festival, where chefs reinterpret traditional Jamaican flavours while audiences enjoy live music and an immersive cultural setting.

Etana will take the stage at Meet Street: The Market on Saturday, March 7, at Hope Gardens. Often referred to as the “Strong One”, the Grammy-nominated reggae singer is known for powerful vocals and songs such as Warrior Love, I Am Not Afraid, and People Talk.

Meet Street transforms Hope Gardens into a lively open-air market, featuring more than 80 booths with street food, coffee tastings, local produce, and lifestyle vendors.

The entertainment line-up at Meet Street will also include Silver Birds Steel Orchestra and DJ Delano, creating a full day of music and culture from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

By combining live performances with culinary experiences, JFDF continues to highlight the connection between music, culture, and food that defines the Jamaican experience.

JFDF runs March 5-8, 2026.

Etana.