About Us

The 10th Boston JerkFest™ is a 2-day outdoor Caribbean style foodie festival that features Jamaican jerk spiced food and all things spicy and hot to be held July 12th-13th, 2024 at Harvard Athletic Complex, 145 North Harvard Street in Allston, and just over the bridge from Harvard Square, Cambridge. This multi-day festival kicks off with a Rum & Brew Tasting Fundraiser on Friday, July 12th, 2024, 5:30 – 8 PM (5PM for VIP) and followed by the Boston JerkFest Festival on Saturday, from 11 AM – 8 PM. 

Boston Jerkfest will feature authentic Caribbean, international, and local spicy food for sale, including: spicy meals, jams, nuts, and desserts, as well as traditional home-made drinks from the Caribbean. Boston Jerkfest also offers live music entertainment and performances for the whole family. Our Spice Lane will feature the best hot sauces in New England, as well as hot pepper value-added products. A Kids & Culture stage will offer  family-friendly performances, including the Cambridge Carnival Youth Steel Orchestra, and hands-on interactive activities.

The Friday evening Rum & Brew Tasting is for 21+ festival attendees and features live music and unlimited tastings of a variety of Caribbean themed libations, spirits, local craft beer, wine, and artisan beverages. Our famous Cocktail Throwdown featuring rum inspired cocktails will be back again. 

Card To Culture

We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming. EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive 1/2 off admission price to the Annual Boston JerkFest for the Saturday festival on July 13th, 2024. Children 12 and under receive free admission with an  accompanying adult. This special discount is limited to 2 adults for general admission for SATURDAY ONLY and limited to 150 tickets total available for EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare cardholders. Friday night, VIP and 2-Day passes not eligible for the discount. To access the special discount code, email us at info@bostonjerkfest.com with the subject matter: CULTURECARD and we’ll send you the link to purchase your discounted tickets.

Nonprofit Partners 

By participating in the Boston JerkFest you are helping to support our affiliated nonprofits, Sustainable Food and Culture, Inc and the Cambridge Carnival International Cambridge Youth Steel Orchestra.

Highlights of 2024 Boston JerkFest

• New and expanded festival footprint accommodate for more people and more vendors at Harvard Athletic Complex
• 9 hours of fun in the sun (extended an extra hour until 8pm)
• More jerk! Every restaurant vendor will offer at least one jerk dish!
• Spice Lane, with lots more hot stuff to keep you in the mood and the 
• More live reggae music featuring headliner International Reggae artists to get your “Irie” on
• Chef demos, including a Seafood Throwdown and the Jerk Cook-off competitions, each with two chefs vying for the best jerk dish and sponsored by North American Marine Alliance, Red’s Best, and World Farmers 
• Cocktail Throwdown featuring Boston’s hottest Mixologists who will stir up the best “Irie” drinks made from products featured at the Rum & Brew Tasting.
• people’s  hot sauce choice 
• Kids & Culture stage with more family-friendly fun
• VIP Reggae Lounge for that extra special attention 
• JerkFest Jamaican Rum Punch at the Reggae Bar will be on tap throughout the day
• Boston JerkFest T-shirts and curated Boston JerkFest Jerk Rub merchandise for sale