The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival has won “Music Festival of the Year” at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, securing a major regional honour for one of Saint Lucia’s most celebrated cultural and tourism events.
The award was announced on Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. It recognises the festival’s contribution to Caribbean music, culture and entertainment, as well as its ability to attract international audiences while providing a prominent platform for regional and Saint Lucian talent.
Saint Lucia’s musical influence was further underscored in the Dennery Segment categories, with “Umpa” named Dennery Artist of the Year and Jamaican-American soca artiste “Klassik Frescobar” winning Dennery Song of the Year for “Dansa.” Together, these achievements celebrate the strength of Saint Lucia’s homegrown talent and the growing regional reach of a sound born on the island.
Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and the Festival, Thaddeus M. Antoine, remarked; “This is a defining and triumphant moment for Saint Lucia. It affirms that our culture is one of our greatest strengths, capable of uniting our people, inspiring the region and carrying the spirit of our island onto the global stage. We celebrate the vision, talent and dedication of everyone who continues to elevate Saint Lucian music and creativity.”
Established in 1992, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival has evolved over more than three decades from a primarily jazz-focused event into a broad celebration of music, visual arts, theatre, dance, fashion, cuisine and Saint Lucian culture. The festival now brings together internationally renowned performers, regional acts and homegrown creatives across major concert venues, intimate spaces and communities throughout the island.
Community Jazz and Arts has played an important role in extending the festival’s economic impact beyond its main stages. Events across Saint Lucia create opportunities for artistes, musicians, dancers, artisans, chefs, vendors and cultural groups, while driving activity across accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, attractions, retail and event services. This generates employment and income for businesses, households and communities, allowing the benefits of the festival to reach more people across the island.
The award reflects the collective contribution of the festival’s organisers, sponsors, artistes, creative professionals, community partners, vendors, volunteers, service providers and patrons. Extensive international media coverage further amplifies the festival’s reach, inspiring more travellers to experience Saint Lucia’s music, culture and communities firsthand. This strengthens the festival’s international profile and Saint Lucia’s position as a leading Caribbean destination for music, culture and immersive experiences.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival returns from April 30 to May 9, 2027, continuing its evolution as a distinctive celebration of world-class entertainment and authentic Saint Lucian creativity.
For announcements and festival updates, visit www.saintluciajazzandartsfestival.com and follow @SaintLuciaJazzandArtsFestival on Facebook and @saintjuciajazzandartsfest on Instagram.