Barbados Reggae Weekend is moving to Kensington Oval for its 2026 staging.
The announcement was made during the official launch of the 2026 Barbados Reggae Weekend at the Sandals Royal Barbados Ballroom in Maxwell, Christ Church on Wednesday.
Now in its third year, the event continues to grow as a major fixture on the island’s entertainment calendar.
Sponsorship Manager Michelle Straughn said the relocation marked a significant step forward for the festival.
“Barbados Reggae Weekend is here to stay. We are increasing and looking to raise the profile of Barbados by bringing more people from overseas and taking it to an international level,” she said.
The weekend will feature Legends of Reggae on April 24, Showdown on April 25 and Reggae in the Gardens on April 26. Artistes set to perform include Super Cat, Barrington Levy, Sister Nancy and Norris Man as well as Capleton, General Degree, Dexter Daps and Popcaan alongside a strong cast of local acts including Biggie Irie and DJ Puffy.
Straughn noted that the festival also played an important role in stimulating economic activity during what was traditionally a slower period for tourism.
“April has traditionally been a slow month in Barbados… so this is a way to bring people to the island at this time of year,” she said, adding that the impact extended beyond hotels to small businesses such as hairdressers, barbers and boutique operators.
Anthony Greene, General Manager of Starcom Network, said the festival’s willingness to adapt demonstrated an understanding of the changing entertainment landscape.
“Reinvention is no longer optional… those decisions reflect a festival that understands the urgency of staying relevant in a fast-changing environment,” Greene said, adding that Starcom remained committed as a key media partner in connecting the event with audiences across generations.
Over the past two years, Barbados Reggae Weekend has attracted between 20 000 and 25 000 patrons, including visitors from across the Caribbean, North America and beyond.
Congrats Barbados on your upcoming Reggae Weekend show. I sincerely hope it does well. But in my humble opinion it is another example of bajans showing that they are willing to play second fiddle to foreign artists.
I think we’ve shown that we can copy and be as good as foreign artists in Jazz, soul and soca but we will never be seen as the owners. Jamaicans smartly used reggae to expand their culture, language and brand. Their artists are known all over the world and they generate tourism $ to Jamaica.
Bajuns if you spend time really working on and developing bajun culture, nurture spouge. Experiment and expand it. Then we can tell bajun stories and in 5-10 yrs export our culture and earn respect not just in our bajuniverse but worldwide.
Respectfully, Wayne Lord, Toronto, Canada