Ocho Rios, St Ann, December 16, 2025: Following the overwhelming response to last Friday’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), through its subsidiary the St Ann Development Company (SADCO), is set to host its second festive tree lighting event this Christmas season at Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios on Friday, December 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The upcoming event forms part of the UDC’s ongoing effort to support social recovery and community upliftment in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, using the public spaces it manages to create moments of joy, togetherness, and renewal for families across Jamaica.
The Christmas Tree Lighting at Harmony Beach Park drew hundreds of parents and children, underscoring the importance of safe, welcoming community events during a period when many families are still recovering from the impacts of the hurricane. The success of that event has reinforced the need for spaces where Jamaicans can come together, reconnect, and embrace the spirit of the season.
Chairman of the Urban Development Corporation, Norman Brown, said the Turtle River Park event is intentionally designed to bring that same sense of warmth and belonging to St Ann.
“These events are about giving something meaningful back to our communities,” Chairman Brown said. “After a difficult period for many families, it is important that people have a space where they can come together, share in the joy of the season, and feel a sense of normalcy again. The response we saw at Harmony Beach Park showed us just how much these moments matter.”
The Turtle River Park celebration is expected to feature free entertainment, festive activities and gifts for children, food, and the official lighting of the Christmas tree, transforming the park into a welcoming space for families to fellowship and celebrate the season.
UDC General Manager Bobby Honeyghan said the event reflects the Corporation’s broader approach to development and recovery.
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“This is part of how we support recovery in a very human way,” Mr. Honeyghan said. “Development for us is also about creating spaces where people can reset, reconnect, and find hope. By activating the parks and public spaces we manage, we are helping communities heal and move forward together.”
The event will be supported by appropriate security arrangements to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies form part of the UDC’s wider programme to activate urban and recreational spaces across multiple parishes, ensuring that the benefits of development and community investment extend beyond Kingston and into towns that play a vital role in Jamaica’s social and economic life.
The UDC continues to encourage Jamaicans to stay tuned to official pages including social media, UDCJa, for updates and additional information as we look forwarding to welcoming you to Turtle River Park for a memorable tree lighting ceremony.
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