Reggae Weekend draws record crowds, says organiser

April 27, 2026

By Leanne Mcgregor

Barbados Reggae Weekend ended on a high note after three nights at Kensington Oval, with organisers hailing the 2026 staging for its record attendance.

The festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday, featured its signature events: Mount Gay Legends of Reggae, Guinness Showdown, and Reggae in the Gardens.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, sonsorship manager Michelle Straughn said the turnout had surged across the weekend, estimating that attendance at Guinness Showdown doubled, while that of Reggae in the Gardens tripled.

Straughn noted that, despite production challenges, the event continues to position Barbados as a premier entertainment destination.

“At the end of the day, we are happy. We are doing this on behalf of Barbados, to help build Barbados as another destination of festivals because I think we were losing that somewhat when the Barbados Reggae Weekend went away,” she said.

The organiser also noted that this year marked the first time the festival was livestreamed worldwide, with patrons purchasing tokens for digital access. According to Straughn, the process was “seamless” and organisers intend to continue the initiative for future events

Commenting on the use of Kensington Oval as the event’s venue for the first time, Straughn described the venue as “beautiful”, despite logistical considerations.

“The venue is beautiful,” she said. “We still had to make sure that we protect the pitches so that cricket can be played here in Barbados.”

Straughn said she hopes the festival will help attract visitors ahead of the island’s summer arrivals. “We are hoping that from here on in, we start seeing plane-fulls coming in April, before we start to get [visitors] in July.”

Festival highlights

The festivities opened Friday with the Mount Gay Legends of Reggae Show and Dance, where icons including Barrington Levy, Super Cat, Sister Nancy, Norris Man, JC Lodge and Biggie Irie delivered nostalgic performances despite technical issues that affected sections of the show. Levy emerged as a standout, while deejays Jerry Dan and Lil Rick kept patrons entertained between sets.

Saturday’s Showdown shifted the tempo with a dancehall-heavy showcase led by Popcaan, while Capleton and General Degree delivered hit-filled sets. Local acts Maasta T, Doejay, Brutal Crankstar, Weather 40 and Idea the Artist also earned strong crowd reactions. Although 450 did not appear, organisers later confirmed his move to Sunday’s lineup.

Reggae in the Gardens brought the curtain down on Sunday with headliner Fantasia leading a diverse cast that included Dexta Daps, Kranium, Admiral Tibet, DJ Puffy, D’Yani, Spice and Company, and Rite Side of Red featuring Buggy Nhakente and Rhesa Garnes.

Barbados Reggae Weekend is organised by FAS7STAR Entertainment, headed by promoter Comar “Frankie” Campbell.