Christmas in Jamaica is truly a special time.  The global classics of friends, family, carols and Santa Claus blend together here with a uniquely Caribbean sense of joy and rhythm.

A big part of Jamaican Christmas celebrations is the Jonkanoo parade, where people dress up as colorful characters and parade down the streets to music.  The festival is common all around the Caribbean, and has its roots in the African traditions brought over during the slave trade.

You can also expect to find lots of Christmas markets, alive with music and dancing.  These local markets spring up all over the island, and become daily events in the week leading up to Christmas.  Local craftsmen and vendors sell handmade toys and Christmas sweets.  On Christmas Eve, the markets are still open, all decorated with lights and streamers.

For Christmas dinner, Jamaicans typically enjoy curried goat, roast ham and gungo peas.  The Jamaican specialty is rum-soaked Christmas cake flavored with fruit and fresh cinnamon.  The Christmas drink on the island is sorrel, made from the plant by the same name, spices and rum, served over ice.

For a truly unique and musical twist to your family Christmas vacation, why not consider a Jamaica villa?  Explore the markets, revel in the warmth of the Caribbean, dance in the Jonkanoo, and fill yourself up with delicious Jamaican cuisine.  Look into booking your own private villa at the Tryall Villas Jamaica, and put some real Ho, Ho, Ho to your holidays!