10 Days. One Region. Endless Culture: Why CARIFESTA 2025 Is a Must-See Event

Barbados, in partnership with CARICOM and the National Cultural Foundation, will host CARIFESTA XV under the theme “Caribbean Roots…Global Excellence.” The festival’s pillars - Honouring Our heritage, Celebrating Caribbean Excellence and Building a Sustainable & Resilient Future, will guide ten days of regional identity, creativity and innovation.

Signature Events & Experiences Opening Weekend (22–24 August):

• Grand Opening Ceremony, including a Caribbean street parade, fashion showcase, art installations, pop-ups, and a Super Concert at the National Botanical Gardens

• Grand Market & Youth Village launch, featuring crafts, cuisine, innovation labs and evening Country Nights in Pelican Village

  
  

Mid-Festival Highlights (25–28 August):

• Visual Arts Exhibition at Queen’s Park Gallery

• Full Film Festival with screenings and boot camps at Marcus Garvey Amphitheatre

• Icon Nights spotlighting folk, storytelling, dance and past cultural legends

• Themed gatherings such as Holy Train (spiritual sunrise), Sunday Food, Wellness Day, along with Big Conversations and a UWI Symposium at EBCCI

  
  

Closing Days (29–31 August):

• Sustainability by the Sea beach event

• Creative Business Forum focused on arts entrepreneurship and branding

• Icons Nights and Super Concerts

• The Pot Turn Down street-food festival

• Signing of the Winds of Change Charter and Grand Finale concert

Creative Registration & Participation

• CARIFESTA XV invites broad participation through open calls:

• Individual and country delegations in music, dance, theatre, literary, culinary, visual arts, film, fashion and Grand Market exhibits

• Community mural project Voices on the Wall welcoming regional sketch submissions

  
  

Regional Culture, Justice & Sustainability

This edition of CARIFESTA emphasises cultural resilience and innovation, tackling global challenges such as climate change, economic sovereignty and social justice. CARICOM is also collaborating with the African Union on a reparatory justice coalition, aligning cultural and justice initiatives as part of the festival’s wider agenda.

Opportunities & Impact

Barbados has called for coordinators and planners, offering roles in visual arts, music, theatre, culinary, fashion, film, literary arts and event logistics. The CARICOM Youth Ambassador for Barbados encourages young creatives across the region to take advantage of the platform that CARIFESTA provides.

Final Word

CARIFESTA XV promises to be a dynamic regional showcase of performances, visual arts, scholarship, entrepreneurship, sustainability and cultural diplomacy — highlighting the Caribbean’s creative excellence on the global stage.

For more details or to register, visit: https://carifesta.net