‘The 4th Escape’: BWE Turns into a Traditional Jamaica Independence Weekend Staple

Best Weekend Ever (BWE) returns for its fourth exhilarating staging—five days of non-stop celebration featuring seven premium events over four days. Set in Ocho Rios, it blends Caribbean energy, cuisine, and party vibes with performances from Aidonia, Vanessa Bling, Armanii, and more

Aidonia performs at Best Weekend Ever stage in 2023 (Photo: Jamar Cleary)

Best Weekend Ever (BWE), Jamaica’s premier destination party experience, returns for its 4th exhilarating staging from August 1–5, 2025, transforming Independence Weekend into a must-attend tradition on the shores of Ocho Rios.

Branded “The 4th Escape”, this year’s edition delivers seven carefully curated events, each offering distinct energy, flavour, and unmatched style. It all kicks off with I Love Soca Cooler Festival at Plantation Cove, one of the fan-favourite events, known for its high-energy performances and surprise cameos. This year’s lineup includes Full Blown and Trinidad’s Viking Queen, Fay-Ann Lyons.

Jamaica’s ultimate breakfast fete, Daybreak, set for August 2, transforms Plantation Cove into a shimmering City of Gold, where patrons dance at dawn with plates in hand and spirits flowing. That same evening, Milk & Honey—the fashionable affair dubbed “Pink Fashion City”—sets the stage for couture looks, bold statements, and pure elegance in a pink-hued mood.

On August 3, Zimi Sey Beach takes over “Tulum” vibe at Puerto Seco Beach, drawing thousands in nude tones, flip-flops, and bikinis to dance under the sun. The next day, Miami’s trendy brunch series Rise & Toast brings old-school fits and new-school hits to the island, with a performance from dancehall star Aidonia.

The festivities continue into the night with Allure—a luxury beach club affair themed “Arabian Nights”—featuring a performance by Vanessa Bling at Pearly Beach. The grand finale, Late Check Out, set for August 5, closes the weekend in style as audiences soak up one last fiesta with a high-energy performance from Armanii.

Sponsored by Red Stripe and in major partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, Best Weekend Ever continues to grow in scale and impact. Managing Director Dwayne Dacres anticipates an even larger turnout in 2025, driven by the brand’s expanding reach over the past three years.

“All the events included on the Best Weekend Ever have been successfully exported within the Diaspora which has seen larger patronage coming to Jamaica to celebrate Independence Weekend annually. This continues to remind us that our entertainment and culture are among our greatest assets and preserving it means sharing it boldly with the world. Each staging injects notable economic value within our paradise home and is a shared win for us as event curators and Brand Jamaica.”

Each event is food-inclusive, except I Love Soca Cooler Festival, where patrons are invited to bring their own coolers. This year, BWE turns up the energy with even more performances from top local, regional, and international DJs.

Season Bands are available at www.yourbestweekendever.com, with added perks including discounts at Ocho Rios’ top adventure parks, beaches, and sports bars.