The 1st July marks International Reggae Day to celebrate a musical genre that has influenced the world since the 1960s with its laid-back rhythmical style and lyrics championing social and political justice, the rights of the underprivileged and universal unity. The impact of reggae music on the world was recognised when it was granted ‘protected status’ by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 2018. UNESCO aims to educate people about the history of reggae and its distinctively Jamaican heritage.
International Reggae Day is marked in Kingston Jamaica (where Bob Marley was raised) with an annual inaugural reggae concert, as well as concerts hosted around the globe. Kingston is where IRG was born after Andrea Davis’s (Jamaica Arts Holdings) visit in 1991.
Learn about Reggae's history here:
Dub Vendor
If you want to go old school with some vinyl, why not check out Dub Vendor… If you visit our vibrant restaurant in Brixton (a hub for reggae music in the UK), you will notice in the entrance a huge mural depicting the ‘Dub Vendor’ emblem. Dub Vendor is a ‘long-standing, and pioneering, London vendor of ska and reggae music, specialising in Jamaican music. In 2006, Time Out termed it "the best source of Jamaican music in Europe’.
However you choose to celebrate International Reggae Day, we at Turtle Bay wish you One Love, and we’ll be waiting for you with our sweet reggae tunes!
Reggae Festivals
We're super excited to announce that this year, we have partnered with two of the UKs biggest reggae festivals, Reggaeland, Milton Keynes and Bournemouth Reggae Weekender.
ReggaeLand
Reggae Land is a vibrant reggae festival held in Milton Keynes (3rd & 4th August) held at The Milton Keynes National Bowl. The festival features a diverse lineup of international and local artists across multiple stages, covering various reggae sub-genres such as roots reggae, dancehall, ska, and dub. The festival offers Caribbean cuisine, tropical drinks, cultural workshops, art installations, and dance performances, creating a family-friendly and inclusive environment. Celebrating the positive vibes and community spirit central to reggae culture. Reggae Land has grown in popularity and significance, becoming a key event in the UK's festival calendar for reggae enthusiasts.
The weekend will host ICONIC Reggae artists such as UB40 ft Ali Campbell, Shabba Ranks, Koffee, Skip Marley, Burning Spear, Sanchez and many more... We can't wait!🤩
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender is an 3-day festival (26th - 28th July) that is held to celebrate the diverse African-Caribbean culture and heritage in Bournemouth through Reggae music. The weekend is packed with entertainment and activities for people of all ages to enjoy. It's Bournemouth's event of the year and we can't wait to share our three big loves - Rum, Reggae & Jerk, with everyone at the festival.
The weekend will host iconic reggae artists like Christopher Ellis, Stylo G, David Rodigan, Dawn Penn, Natty B and LOT'S MORE!
Reggae at Turtle Bay
At Turtle Bay, reggae is more than just music – it's the soul of our restaurants and part of our DNA! From the moment we open, to late into the night, we're all about those chilled-out reggae beats that make you feel like you're on a Caribbean island. The laid-back tunes set the perfect mood for enjoying our delicious jerk flavours and relaxing with friends and family. It's all about good vibes, great times, and letting the music carry you away. Come on in, kick back, and let reggae be the soundtrack to your day!
Why not celebrate International Reggae Day with our iconic Reggae Rum Punch and your favourite reggae tunes!
Reggae 45
Why not throw your own celebration from the comfort of your home with our collaborative series of Spotify podcasts, ‘Reggae 45’ with the legendary reggae DJ, Don Letts. Get into the spirit with a homemade Reggae Rum Punch. Check out the playlist here!
