Most events throughout the festival are free and open to the public. However, a few special highlights require tickets, including:

• Super Concerts featuring top regional and international performers
• Alvin Ailey II Dance Company – a world-renowned performance you won’t want to miss
• “Back in Time Fete” – a nostalgic party celebrating Caribbean musical heritage

A complete list of ticketed events and the link to purchase tickets are available here. All prices are listed in Barbados Dollars (BBD).

For ticketing inquiries or to report an issue, please contact: myticketlinkz@gmail.com

Join us in Barbados for an unforgettable cultural experience as we celebrate the spirit, rhythm, and soul of the Caribbean!

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This year’s programme includes:
Four Super Concerts featuring regional icons and international artists
The CARIFESTA Film Festival and outdoor screenings
Daily Fashion Shows and Caribbean couture exhibitions
The Grand Market & Trade Hub, the largest in CARIFESTA history
A robust Youth Village with intergenerational creative programming
The Big Conversations Symposia, tackling Caribbean identity, climate, and innovation
Culinary showcases highlighting food from across the Region
Sustainability activations with a future-forward, eco-conscious approach

CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana – Thursday, 24 July 2025:   

The CARIFESTA XV Organising Committee is pleased to share the following advisory for media partners:

With Crop Over 2025 soon to wrap up in grand style, Barbados is immediately shifting into full gear to host the highly anticipated CARIFESTA XV, taking place from 22 to 31 August 2025.

The island is proud to announce that it is ready and fully equipped to welcome the Caribbean and the world for 10 unforgettable days of music, art, dance, fashion, food, film, and cultural dialogue.

“Barbados is the place to be this August for CARIFESTA XV, which will be a beautiful melting pot of Caribbean cultures, foods, fashion, performances and visual arts,” says the Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Ms. Andrea Franklin. “Now more than ever, it’s an amazing moment in our regional history to come together, honour what makes each island unique, and celebrate the vibrant threads that bind us all. This is where the best of the Caribbean will be, in one place, at one time, in Barbados.” 

A Region United in One Festival

CARIFESTA XV, under the theme “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence,” is more than a festival; it is a roving cultural summit for the Caribbean and its diaspora.

This year’s programme includes:

• Four Super Concerts featuring regional icons and international artists
• The CARIFESTA Film Festival and outdoor screenings
• Daily Fashion Shows and Caribbean couture exhibitions
• The Grand Market & Trade Hub, the largest in CARIFESTA history
• A robust Youth Village with intergenerational creative programming
• The Big Conversations Symposia, tackling Caribbean identity, climate, and innovation
• Culinary showcases highlighting food from across the Region
• Sustainability activations with a future-forward, eco-conscious approach

Barbados will transform into a living gallery of Caribbean excellence, hosting over 25 participating countries, including delegations from Ghana, Cuba, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as creatives and audiences from the Caribbean diaspora.

Your Invitation to Experience CARIFESTA XV in Barbados

Festival goers can enjoy a seamless, vibrant, and immersive experience that blends Caribbean tradition and innovation, with top-tier accommodations, world-renowned hospitality, and year-round sunshine.

Media Kit and Accreditation 

Media partners covering CARIFESTA XV in Barbados are invited to complete the accreditation form here.

A media kit with the calendar of events can be downloaded below:

Plan your trip and explore festival events at: https://www.visitbarbados.org/

Full programme details and event updates available at: https://www.carifesta.net/

Thursday, 26 June 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown):  The stage is being set in Barbados for a spectacular hosting of CARIFESTA XV which will feature  a unique blend of dramatic and cultural performances, fashion, music, dance and art installations.

This will be the third CARIFESTA hosted by Barbados, which previously hosted the festival in 1981 and 2017.  

With under two months to go, CARICOM Directors of culture, technical officials and a team from CARICOM Secretariat are in Barbados for the Nineteenth Meeting of the Interim Festival Directorate – IFD (24-26 June) and the Thirty-First Meeting of the Regional Cultural Committee – RCC (25-27 June 2025).

The IFD is the regional management body of CARIFESTA.

The group is getting a first-hand look at the venues, which will showcase a variety of performances and cultural activities, including drama, fashion, music, culinary arts, and spectacular art displays.

The Meeting of the IFD is being co-chaired by Dr Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture at the CARICOM Secretariat, and Festival Director Carol Roberts (CEO, National  Cultural Foundation, Barbados).

In her opening remarks during the IFD meeting on Wednesday, Dr Brown underscored the importance of the body, which has been meeting since 2006, to the planning of CARIFESTA. 

“This is an important step that we take every time we have CARIFESTA…  our delegations are in the host country to interact with the organising team in order to develop a cultural performance that will excite our CARIFESTA audience,” stated Dr Brown.

“The insight and guidance of the IFD are crucial to ensuring that CARIFESTA remains relevant and advantageous for all stakeholders involved,” she emphasised.

She speaks about the importance of the IFD to CARIFESTA XV below. 

CARIFESTA XV Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Cultural Foundation, Barbados, Carol Roberts, highlighted that robust discussions with the IFD are significantly beneficial to the CARIFESTA XV Organising Committee.  She explained that the committee commenced preparations in 2023 and will utilise the feedback from the IFD to enhance the plans and initiatives for CARIFESTA XV.

“This valuable insight we are utilising to ensure that Barbados as host and the Region as a whole, can deliver an unforgettable CARIFESTA – unforgettable in all the best ways,” underscored the Festival Director.

She explains how the work of the IFD impacts CARIFESTA plans below.

Additional information:

• Dr Brown further explained that the IFD was born from a proposal by artists participating in the CARIFESTA VIII (2003) advocating for a body to ensure better management and visibility of the Festival, as well as more opportunities and development for regional artists.

• The IFD is responsible for reviewing the structure of the festival and ensuring it meets the objectives of the CARIFESTA strategic plan (adopted by CARICOM Heads of Government in 2004), with a particular focus on addressing the needs of Caribbean artists.

About CARIFESTA

CARIFESTA is an international multicultural event organised on a periodic basis by countries of the Caribbean. The last festival, CARIFESTA XV, was hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019, under the theme “Connect, Share Invest.”

Read more about CARIFESTA: https://www.carifesta.net/about

“Never miss an opportunity.  It’s going to be a big celebration!  Believe in yourself; believe in your talent.  We, as Caribbean people, are here to support you.  To any young person: take advantage of the CARIFESTA spotlight.  You are supposed to be here in beautiful Bridgetown, Barbados – sign up, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you,” stated the CYA.  

Listen to her describe how the festival can benefit young artists in the video below. 

“Above all else, we want to be able to share with the rest of the Region and the world, who they will miss if they don’t come to CARIFESTA!”

Caribbean artists registering for CARIFESTA XV, scheduled for 22-31 August in Barbados, now have until 21 March to secure their spot in the coveted event.

CARICOM Chair and Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Mia Mottley urged artists to take advantage of the regional and international exposure on the CARIFESTA stage.

She advised, “I’ve already said that we should extend the platform. Clearly, [artists] can work through their governments…but above all else, we want to be able to share with the rest of the Region and the world, who they will miss if they don’t come to CARIFESTA!”

Listen to her comments in the video below.

She describes the event as the ultimate Caribbean experience for CARICOM nationals and visitors from the international community: “You’re going to get from fashion to food, from music to dance, to sculpture…all kinds of creative expression.”

She warned, “If yah miss it, blame yahself!”

Listen to the CARICOM Chair’s preview of the event in the video below.

“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission.”

Exploring ways to strengthen youth engagement within the CARICOM agenda was the focus of discussions between CARICOM Youth Ambassador (Barbados) Ashley Lashley and Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Ambassador Comissiong, on Tuesday, 7 January.

They discussed priority areas for youth involvement in CARICOM, including agriculture and culture.

Increasing youth participation in upcoming CARICOM events, proposed workshops for secondary schools, and various outreach programmes across Barbados also formed part of the dialogue.

“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise on projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission,” stated Ms Lashley.

2025 Priority Areas

The CARICOM Youth Ambassador highlighted her focus areas for 2025:

“For 2025, my priorities include increasing youth representation at CARICOM meetings, broadening public engagement through impactful outreach programmes, and supporting regional initiatives like the “CARICOM Ideal Citizen project”, with a particular focus on culture and agriculture. I am committed to amplifying youth voices in high-level discussions on critical regional challenges, such as sustainable development and collaborative progress,” stated Ms Lashley.

Anticipation for CARIFESTA XV

She also shared her anticipation for CARIFESTA XV, which will be hosted in Barbados from 22-31 August 2025:

“As Barbados’ Female CARICOM Youth Ambassador, I eagerly anticipate CARIFESTA XV as a powerful celebration of Caribbean culture and resilience. This Festival represents a unique opportunity to unite the Region, highlight our extraordinary creative talents, and inspire the next generation to embrace and celebrate our shared identity. CARIFESTA should serve as a meaningful platform to engage Caribbean youth in preserving and promoting our cultural heritage while fostering spiritual and psychological resilience, and one I hope will remain a central focus of the event,” urged the CYA.

“In our unity lies our strength. This must be our truth and our rallying cry. Whether tackling the climate crisis, addressing gun violence, or championing equitable global financial reforms, we must act with one voice and one purpose.”

My beloved brothers and sisters of the Caribbean,

As we step boldly into 2025, I greet you with hope, determination and an unyielding commitment to serve as your Chair of CARICOM.

Today, we stand at the crossroads of immense challenges and extraordinary opportunities. How we act, united as a people, and as nations will define not only this year, 2025, but the legacy of our generation.

The Caribbean is far more than a geographic space. We know it. It is a living testament to the power of courage, creativity, and our collective strength. Ours is a history marked by resilience, a word that we will have to embrace more and more in our future. Time and again we have faced storms most natural and manmade and risen stronger, more determined than ever, united in shaping our destiny; especially in this year as we saw the ravages of Hurricane Beryl make history not just for the history books, but regrettably, in the lives of too many families across our region.

I extend heartfelt thanks to the outgoing chairman, the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, for his wise and steady leadership. Together with my fellow leaders, I reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring the prosperity, security and well-being of every citizen in our region.

A Region at an Important Juncture

We begin 2025 against that backdrop of global uncertainty.

The aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic linger. The worsening climate crisis endangers our homes and livelihoods – as I just referred to our experience with Beryl this year. The devastating conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine and Gaza and Lebanon reverberate far beyond their borders, while in our community, the multifaceted crisis in Haiti demands urgent, thoughtful and compassionate solutions, and we pray for the continued stability of our relations between Guyana and Venezuela.

These challenges, my friends, test our resolve, but they also underscore the urgency of adaptation, resilience and bold action. The Caribbean must not only weather these storms, but we must lead in crafting solutions for a changing world.

Advancing Regional Unity and Development

Central to our mission must be resuming the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. We paused our coordinated actions on this noble but critical mission as we applied all that we could muster to fight COVID and its trail of economic and social upheaval.

But five years on, we must resume our work on the CSME. For this is not merely an economic agenda. It is a vision of unity and opportunity for small states who know that we can achieve so much more together than we do so individually. Full realization of the CSME, including above all else, yes, the free movement of our nationals is essential for unlocking the true potential of our people and our economies.

So is the necessity for us to attain and go beyond the target that we set ourselves for food and nutritional security, best exemplified by the “Vision 25 by 2025” agenda, which we set in 2021.

We must now focus, my friends, to apply the few but necessary recommendations of the distinguished CARICOM Commission on Economy, who reported to us in the middle of the pandemic, when we were justifiably distracted. The pooling of our sovereignty must also be better addressed by the pooling of our efforts, from investment to skills to procurement. We can do better together.

We must also confront the injustices of the global financial system, which continue to marginalize Small Island and Low-lying Developing States. Unjust blacklisting practices, and insufficient access to concessional financing hinder our sustainable development efforts.

CARICOM will persist in advocating for reforms championed in the Bridgetown Initiative and working with others, like the 73 vulnerable countries in the Climate Vulnerable Forum as we fight for a better financial landscape regionally and globally, within which we can build resilience, prosperity and yes, equity – fairness – for all our people. We also urge the adoption and the laser like refining of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to secure critical resources for our region’s future as we face these crises that are often beyond our control to avoid, but for which we must strengthen our resilience to survive.

In so doing, my friends, we must urgently settle a floor of rights as a community for our people so that we agree on what must be the minimum protection and the opportunities that each and every Caribbean person must benefit from while we instill as well in all of us the need for each to live our daily lives to do better by our family, our communities, our country, and yes, our region. Our home will only be as good in this region as we collectively make it. We remain inspired by the principles of Ubuntu – “I am because we are”.

In tandem, we must deliver on the commitments of the recently concluded George-Bridge Declaration, which built on the regional symposium in Port of Spain that recognized crime and violence as a public health issue in the Caribbean. This declaration reached at in Georgetown, Guyana, under the chairmanship of Barbados, prioritizes citizen security and safety by addressing it as a public health challenge while innovating and strengthening our efforts nationally and regionally in law enforcement and the modernization of our criminal justice systems.

This is absolutely critical for the majority of our people who simply want to ensure that the zone of peace that we aspire to as a region for the Caribbean is a lived reality in each of our communities. We look forward to the meeting in Saint Kitts and Nevis this year, which will add to the meetings in Trinidad and Guyana on this most critical of issues that affects each and every Caribbean person.

Championing Global Justice

We also welcome as a community, the declaration of the second decade for people of African descent, beginning today, the 1st of January, 2025. This achievement reflects the tireless advocacy of our region and the strides made during the first decade, including global recognition of our ten point plan for reparatory Justice and the establishment of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.

Yet, my friends, so much remains to be done in this area. We must continue to press the international community for a mature, face to face conversation at all levels, so that we may see them repair the damage from the exploitation through the immoral institutions of slavery and colonialism which our people suffered from.

We must also urge the international community to provide resources necessary to improve the dignity, security and material conditions of African descended people worldwide. The spectacle of 600 million Africans without electricity in an age of AI is in no way morally acceptable to us as a community, which is part of the African diaspora that is a six region of Africa. Yes, us CARICOM people. In this regard, we will further continue our work to strengthen our relationship with the African Union as a community of Caribbean people.

Seizing Opportunities for Transformation

So, my friends, this year, let us seize the boundless opportunities before us. The world is racing into a digital future, and the Caribbean must not be left behind. From green energy to artificial intelligence, we must lead with alacrity as innovators, not blindly but responsibly equipping our young people with the tools to drive change and to position our region as a hub for sustainable industries.

This is even more so when we consider that we equally face the challenge of many developed countries. That is, an aging and declining population.

It is for that reason that our young people, therefore, must be given every opportunity to ensure that when they to age, that there are those who are young enough to help them mature in their gray and silver years.

Our creativity, my friends, has long been our greatest asset. From the arts to technology. Let us inspire the world with our ingenuity and originality that every child, and entrepreneur and national, know they are part of a community that supports and uplifts them. And let us celebrate all that is good and is possible for our Caribbean civilization, as we do what we do best in the expression of our Festival of Arts CARIFESTA.

My friends, my brothers and sisters. CARIFESTA XV will be held in Barbados from August 22nd to 31st, 2025. I’m inviting you, God willing to create, to participate and simply to come. I speak to each and every one of us as Caribbean people, not just as members of Caricom, but everyone of the Caribbean people that can hear my voice, come.

As we would say in Barbados, “miss this and blame yourself”. Food and fashion. Music and dance, art, craft, sculpture and good old Caribbean talk from philosophy to attitudes from religion to development. Let us use this as an opportunity to build resilience in our region spiritually and psychologically each of us individually. Let us gather and feed our souls and nurture our spirit as Caribbean people.

The Power of Unity

In our unity lies our strength. This must be our truth and our rallying cry. Whether tackling the climate crisis, addressing gun violence, or championing equitable global financial reforms, we must act with one voice and one purpose.

To our Caribbean people, let us put aside what divides us and focus on what binds us together. I call on us to stay engaged. I say hold us, yes, as leaders accountable.

But remember, building this region we love is not only about the governments and its work. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us as Caribbean people, as Caribbean institutions. So, my friends, let us contribute our energy and our talents to this cause that matters most to us.

This must not, however, be our cry alone, but it must be the actions of our generation of Caribbean people.

We know better. We can do better. Together we can build a Caribbean that is resilient, prosperous, healthy and united. A beacon of hope in a world yearning for solutions. And we do so in our own, indomitable style with a smile on our face and a pep in our step.

Happy New Year, CARICOM The future is ours.

Yes, ours to create. Thank you.

Click here to listen:

https://soundcloud.com/caricomorg/2025-new-year-statement-by?si=bf93a724c253438797c9a05a3a3d16cd&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Minister Daryll Matthew, Minister of Sports, Culture, National Festival and the Arts of Antigua and Barbuda gave this assurance while making brief remarks at the virtual opening of the Eighteenth Meeting of the Interim Festival Directorate (IFD), which was held by video conference on 22 – 23 July 2020. Minister Matthew further said that his Prime Minister and Cabinet were also committed to ensuring that CARIFESTA in 2021 was an overwhelming success.

CARIFESTA XV is expected to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in August 2021 under the theme ‘One Caribbean. One Environment. Diverse Cultures’.

We know the struggle that the cultural enterprises continue to be under, especially in these COVID times and we cannot allow culture to continue to suffer disproportionately and so for us it is very important that CARIFESTA happens and happens in a great way,” he said.

A CARIFESTA XV hosting proposal was presented by the Minister’s team at the meeting. The concept that was presented included the promoting and celebration of diverse cultural expressions. It was also suggested that advocating environmental sustainability and justice should be a priority, with a strong focus on greening CARIFESTA.

The IFD also discussed CARIFESTA XIV which was held in Trinidad and Tobago from 16 – 25 August 2019 under the theme ‘The Tangible and Intangible: Connect . Share . Invest’. Participants congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on the successful staging, and a review of challenges, opportunities and lessons learnt was done.

Discussions also focused on 15 years of implementation of the CARIFESTA Strategic Plan and the need for revisiting the CARIFESTA model, also taking into consideration how to organise festivals in a COVID-19 Environment.

The Interim Festival Directorate (IFD) is the regional advisory body to CARIFESTA. This body, which provides strategic direction and oversight of the Festival, comprises representatives from CARIFESTA host countries (past, current and future host); representatives from the arts community – Caribbean Publishers Network (CAPNET), Master Artist and a young artist (15-29 years); representatives from expert areas such as marketing -Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), media – Caribbean Media Corporation(CMC) and intellectual property – Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS), and from the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Meeting of the IFD was co-chaired by Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager Culture and Community Development of the CARICOM Secretariat and Ms. Annette Aflak, CARIFESTA XV Director, Antigua and Barbuda Host Country Management Committee.

Minister of Culture and National Festivals, Daryll Matthew said excitement is building as they prepare to host the regional festival for the first time.

He told Loop News his ministry is extremely proud of the logo, which epitomises several of the islands national symbols.

 “The bird is our national bird, the frigate bird and the pineapple which is our national fruit. Within the pineapple you’ll see a windmill. The windmills purpose in the logo is dual, it is our national symbol coming from our history of sugar production during colonialism. The green blades of the windmill symbolises the initiative we are taking to use CARIFESTA as a festival to bring awareness to climate change and highlight our efforts to increase sustainability. Of course there are expressions of culture, the dancing silhouette with the feathers which represents our carnival celebrations and our festiveness in the region,” he said.

Minister Matthew said the secretariat is already in place and a lot of work is being done as the twin island state prepares to host the world for CARIFESTA 2021. 

Though thrown by the untimely passing of Director of CARIFESTA, Mr Vaughn Walter, Minister Matthew said work has resumed and is moving ahead full throttle, to ensure that all is as it should be, ahead of the regional festival.

“We are quite excited, preparations are underway, the management team is in place and we are currently building out our staff compliment to ensure that once all of those plans that we have put in place for CARIFESTA are there, we can what we believe will be the most exciting and successful initiative Antigua and Barbuda has ever done, and it’ll be very memorable CARIFESTA for all the right reasons,” he told Loop News.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Culture Annette Aflak has replaced Mr Walter and is now responsible for spearheading preparations for the next edition of the Caribbean Festival of Arts which will be held in August next year.

Source: LoopNews