As the final notes of Crop Over 2025 fade into the sunset, Barbados is stepping confidently into the global spotlight with its hosting of the Caribbean’s premier arts and culture festival: CARIFESTA XV, from August 22–31, 2025.

Under the theme “Caribbean Roots. Global Excellence,” this 10-day cultural extravaganza will unite over 25 participating countries-including Brazil, Ghana, Cuba, and Colombia-making Barbados a living gallery of regional excellence. From music and dance to cuisine, fashion, and innovation, CARIFESTA XV promises to be a dynamic and immersive experience for locals and international visitors, creatives and audiences from the Caribbean diaspora alike.

“Barbados is the place to be this August,” declared Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “CARIFESTA XV will be a vibrant melting pot of Caribbean cultures, where the spirit of our people, the richness of our traditions, and the brilliance of our creativity will shine on a global stage.”

Much more than a festival, CARIFESTA XV serves as a roving summit for the Caribbean’s creative industries and a showcase of the region’s contributions to the global cultural economy. The event is expected to significantly boost the Orange Economy and foster intra-regional collaboration through art, commerce, and conversation.

Festival highlights include:

• Four Super Concerts featuring top-tier Caribbean and international performers

• The CARIFESTA Film Festival, with outdoor screenings and indie spotlights

• Daily Fashion Shows celebrating Caribbean couture and emerging designers

• The Grand Market & Trade Hub, the largest in CARIFESTA history, spanning over 45,000 sq. ft.

• Youth Village, with intergenerational programming and cultural exploration

• The Big Conversations Symposia, tackling themes of identity, climate, and innovation

• Culinary showcases, featuring dishes from every corner of the Caribbean

• Sustainability activations, including solar-powered venues and AR installations

This year marks Barbados’ third time hosting CARIFESTA, having previously welcomed the festival in 1981 and 2017. Each edition has reflected a defining chapter in the island’s national journey—from post-Independence aspirations to digital innovation, and now, as a confident Parliamentary Republic.

The 2025 edition will see the debut of several newly constructed venues, such as the Richard Stoute Amphitheatre and National Performing Arts Centre at Newton, alongside smart, prefabricated structures for swift setup and enhanced visitor experience.

The Grand Market, located at Waterford Place, promises to be so much more than a trade fair! Think of it as a creative ecosystem. Divided into five zones (Fashion, Home & Décor, Wellness, Literature, and Gourmet Foods), the market will offer MSMEs and creatives direct access to buyers, networking events, and workshops focused on licensing, e-commerce, and global trade.

Food lovers can look forward to Caribbean Eat Street, a culinary corridor featuring over two dozen food booths showcasing regional delicacies from Haitian Joumou to Trini Doubles, Bajan Cou Cou, and vegan Ital.

From pop-up performances and mobile dance stages to tech-driven exhibitions and fringe events in community spaces, CARIFESTA XV is designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and unforgettable. With world-class hospitality, sun-soaked beaches, and the rhythm of the Caribbean as its backdrop, Barbados is ready to deliver a festival like no other.

The media tagline puts it best: “Miss it and blame yourself!”

You already know where we’ll be from August 22 to 31. Fingers crossed hoping we see you there too!

For more details, visit:

🔗 www.visitbarbados.org/carifesta

🔗 www.carifesta.net