Sandals® brought the spirit of Jamaica to center stage – 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | News
With Jamaica being this year’s premier destination, Sandals Resorts has collaborated with the Jamaica Tourist Board to bring the island to life during this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The experience included two distinct spaces: the Sandals Resorts Jamaica Cultural Exchange Pavilion and a Sandals Resorts and Jamaica branded experience space, which provided festivalgoers with an immersive on-site connection to the destination.
During both activations, every step over two consecutive weekends revealed a layered expression of the island, where sound, taste and artistry came together in a vibrant celebration of its heritage. Attendees moved to the rhythm of Jamaican icons such as Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley and Sean Paul, with opportunities to connect more deeply with local tastemakers through a live showcase of artisans from the Sandals Foundation’s Caribbean Artisan Collection Program. Together, Westmoreland native Dana Baugh (founder of BAUGHaus Design Studio) and Omar Sheldon Daley (founder of FIRSTSTRAW Company) shared a clear expression of Jamaica’s creative heritage. From Dana’s sculptural porcelain pieces inspired by the island’s natural elements to Omar’s intricate, hand-woven straw designs created using techniques passed down from generation to generation, the artisans transformed tradition into a living, immersive experience that connected festival guests to the island in a meaningful and lasting way.
That sense of immersion extended to the dining experience, where guests sampled authentic Jamaican dishes from local vendors while sipping the festival’s signature ‘One Love Rum Punch’, made with Appleton Estate rum and served in custom Sandals Resorts drinkware.
Building on the pavilion experience, Sandals Resorts and Jamaica Tent offered a nearby trip extension, inviting guests to pause, recharge and enjoy a friendly game of dominoes between festival moments. Visitors also had the opportunity to enter exclusive raffles for a chance to win Jamaican getaways, including an all-inclusive stay for two at Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean or Sandals South Coast, as well as a family getaway for four to Beaches Negril.
Inside, the tent evoked the feeling of entering the lobby of a Sandals resort. Lounge-style seating, complimentary Wi-Fi and charging stations created a comfortable space where guests could relax and reset.
An interactive photo experience took visitors to iconic Jamaican settings, from waterfalls to beachfront villas and overwater suites. Curated touches like the BLŪM coffee concept and the vibrant spirit of Dunn’s Rum Club brought recognizable elements of the Sandals experience to life.
Nearby, live murals, vibrant Caribbean-inspired imagery, carnival dancers and the Jamaican flag added movement and energy, while story elements and QR activations encouraged exploration.
“The festival is grateful to Sandals Resorts and the Jamaica Tourist Board for helping us bring the magic of Jamaica to Jazz Fest this year,” said Quint Davis, producer/director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “Both cultures are known for giving the world music that brings great joy, and we hope our celebration of Jamaica inspires people to experience the country for themselves.”
