From Reggae Rise Up to the Love & Harmony Cruise, discover the hottest Caribbean music festivals happening around the world in 2026. Find out where to catch your favorite artists and immerse yourself in vibrant island culture.
Billboard is spotlighting the premier music festivals celebrating Caribbean music and culture across the globe in 2026.
Following the cultural wave of 2025, marked by Vybz Kartel's resurgence, MOLIY’s Afro-dancehall hit “Shake It to the Max,” and Yung Bredda & Full Blown’s Carnival anthem “The Greatest Bend Over,” the world is craving more Caribbean sounds.
Artists like Beenie Man, who dominated high-grossing Caribbean shows at New York’s UBS Arena in 2025, continue their momentum. Meanwhile, Original Koffee is gearing up for a major comeback. For many Jamaican musicians, the 2026 festival season is a chance to showcase national pride as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa.
Last year, the hurricane devastated Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. Stars like Shaggy and Sean Paul organized benefit concerts, including the "Jamaica Strong" concert at UBS Arena and the Yellowman and Johnny Osbourne-headlined "Nice Up Jamaica" show.
While major American festivals like Governor’s Ball and Coachella conspicuously lack Caribbean music, past Coachella editions have featured electrifying performances from the late Jimmy Cliff, Shenseea, Damian Marley, Original Koffee, and Chronixx. Major Lazer, featuring new member America Foster, is a notable exception, bringing dancehall and bouyon vibes to their Gyalgebra project.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the most significant Caribbean music festivals in 2026, listed chronologically. (Note: Past festivals are included to reflect the year's full event calendar.)
Billboard VIP Pass
Date: Jan. 1
Location: St. Andrew, Jamaica
Hosted at the Mountain View Oval, Eastern Extravaganza returned for its 11th staging on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), with performances by Beenie Man, Sizzla Kalonji, Louie Culture, Pamputae, Skeng, Tommy Lee Sparta and Jahshii.
Date: Jan. 2
Location: Hollywood, Fla.
On the second day of the New Year, several of Jamaica’s brightest stars joined forces for another Hurricane Melissa benefit concert, this time at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Featuring performances from a slew of artists, including but not limited to Shaggy, Marcia Griffiths, Konshens, I-Octane, and Inner Circle, 100% of the net proceeds went to hurricane recovery efforts.
Date: Jan. 10-14
Location: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Hosted at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel, this year’s staging of Closer to the Sun features a trio of fan-favorite reggae rock bands, including Dirty Heads, Rebelution, and headliners Slightly Stoopid. What’s more? Stephen and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will be linking up for a special rendition of their 2007 hit “Traffic Jam,” which comes on the heels of their joint tour of the same name last year.
Date: Jan. 17-18
Location: Goa, India
Reggae and sound system pioneers will descend upon India to celebrate the legacy and impact of Jamaican music. With a lineup that includes Luciano, Macka B and OBF Soundsystem, homegrown artists such as Delhi Sultanate and J Queen will help bridge the Caribbean and Indian cultures. Furthermore, Sunsplash will ensure dance remains at the center of these beach celebrations, with performances by India’s very own Irie Dance Crew and Afrontal Crew.
Date: Feb. 6
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Belgian Bob Marley fans can celebrate the icon’s Heavenly birthday on Feb. 6 at the storied Zappa concert venue with performances from Eek-a-Mouse and I-Wayne, live from Jamaica.
Date: Feb. 28-March 1
Location: Hope Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica
Back for its first staging since 2024, Protoje and Chronixx will each headline one night of this year’s Lost In Time Festival. Billboard exclusively announced the multi-stage event’s star-studded lineup, which includes Tessanne Chin, D’yani, 2026 Juno Awards nominee Naomi Cowan and 2026 Grammy nominees Lila Iké, Mortimer and Jesse Royal.
Date: March 12-15
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida.
With a genre-blending lineup including Protoje, De La Soul, SOJA, Skip Marley, Yelawolf, Sublime, Slightly Stoopid and 311, Reggae Rise Up has a very special weekend in store for Florida’s Vinoy Park this March.
Date: April 1-6
Location: Miami, Fla.; Freeport, Bahamas and Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The annual Love & Harmony Cruise is one of the hottest tickets in the Caribbean, and this year’s lineup promises live performances of classic tunes across lovers rock, gospel and soca. Led by Beres Hammond, this year’s Love & Harmony Cruise offers performances by Tanya Stephens, Maxi Priest, Romain Virgo and Minister Marion Hall.
Date: April 2-4
Location: London, England
For those with a hankering for ska, rocksteady and dub plates galore, check out London’s ska lovefest, which launched in 1988. This year’s lineup is set to include genre icons Keith & Tex, Roy & Yvonne and DJ Oxman. The festival is also set to mount a Rock Against Racism 50th Anniversary Show, starring Misty In Roots, Cimarons, Phoenix City All-stars and more.
Date: April 4
Location: Avila Beach, Calif.
Set for the Avila Beach Golf Resort, this year’s lineup promises performances by Common Kings, Mike Love and Eli-Mac.
Date: April 11-12
Location: Irving, Texas
Set for Levy Event Plaza, this year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: April 17-19
Location: Austin, Texas
Auditorium Shores attendees can enjoy sets from this year’s headliners, which include Stephen Marley, Original Koffee and Iration. Additional performers include Protoje, Jesse Royal, Cas Haley, Irie Souljah, Zion Marley, Collie Buddz and more.
Date: April 17-19
Location: Tempe, Ariz.
The Grand Canyon State will be treated to a star-studded lineup of reggae powerhouses at Tempe Beach Park, including J Boog, SOJA, Stephen Marley, Rebelution and Collie Buddz.
Date: April 18
Location: Irvine, Calif.
Set for Great Park Live, this year’s lineup features SOJA, The Green, Sounds of Zion and more.
Date: April 18
Location: Ormond Beach, Fla.
Spring Breakers will once again head to Florida, and some will enjoy performances by Third World, Passafire, Through the Roots, Josh Heinrichs and Junior Toots to celebrate 4/20 at Destination Daytona Pavilion.
Date: April 24-25
Location: Cologne, Germany
Hollie Cook, English reggae singer and daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, will headline this year’s Freedom Sounds Festival at Die Kantine, which will also feature performances by Jamaican reggae star Dave Barker, Boston dub reggae band Flying Vipers and skinhead reggae outfit Travelers All Stars.
Date: April 25
Location: Irvine, Calif.
Set for Discovery Meadow, this year’s lineup includes Iam Tongi, Three Plus and Jordan T.
Date: May 22-24
Location: Monterey, Calif.
California Roots is one of the biggest reggae festivals in the world, and this year’s headliners include Grammy-winning reggae band SOJA, Tash Sultana and Rebelution. Nonetheless, the star power isn’t confined to the top of the bill, with eye-popping names like reggae pillar Barrington Levy and contemporary star J Boog also appearing on the lineup.
Date: May 24
Location: Miami, Fla.
Set to take over Miami for Memorial Day Weekend, this year’s Best of the Best lineup is TBA.
Date: May 25
Location: London, England
This year’s edition of City Splash will feature a cross-generational lineup of stars at Brixton’s Brockwell Park, spearheaded by two-time Grammy nominee Beres Hammond. Additional performers include Gyptian, Jada Kingdom, Queen Ifrica and JELEEL!
Date: May 29-31
Location: Durango, Colo.
Two-time Grammy-nominated reggae star Collie Buddz will headline this year’s Rise & Vibes Music Festival at the Tico Time River Resort, alongside electronic music duo Thievery Corporation and Florida reggae band The Hip Abduction. Additional performers include KBong & Johnny Cosmic, Marlon Asher and Sensamotion.
Date: June 12-14
Location: Deschutes County, Ore.
Set for the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, this year’s lineup is led by Dirty Heads, Rebelution, 311, Iration, Tash Sultana and SOJA, with additional performances by Lila Iké, Shwayze, J Boog and Common Kings.
Date: July 3-5
Location: Cologne, Germany
Not to be confused with Hot 97’s iconic summer extravaganza, Germany’s Summer Jam will feature performances from reggae stars Original Koffee, Lila Iké and Christopher Martin, as well as R&B-dancehall powerhouse Dexta Daps.
Date: July 4
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
As the U.S. celebrates its Independence Day, several Caribbean stars will head to the Netherlands’ Zuiderpark to celebrate roots reggae, including Burning Spear, Original Koffee, Julian Marley and Rocky Dawuni.
Date: July 17-19
Location: Wangerooge, Germany
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: June 20-21
Location: Virginia Beach, Va.
Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution and Dirty Heads will headline the third annual Point Break Festival, with additional performances by Artikal Sounds System, Pepper, The Elovators and more.
Date: June 26-28
Location: Übersee, Germany
Germany is a major destination for reggae festivals, and the Chiemesee Reggae Summer celebration boasts a tempting lineup of stars, including Capleton, Lila Iké, Anthony B, Patrice, and more.
Date: July 23-26
Location: Ostróda, Poland
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: July 24-26
Location: Bersenbrück, Germany
Set for Klosterpark, this year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: July 30-Aug. 2
Location: Anglefort, France
Ivorian reggae singer Alpha Blondy will headline this year’s Nomade Festival at the Col du Grand Colombier alongside his Solar System backing band. Additional performers include Groundation, I Woks Sound and Dub Silence.
Date: July 31-Aug. 1
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Scandnavia’s largest reggae festival will commemorate its 25th anniversary at Fyrishov Center with performances by Barrington Levy, Mr. Vegas, Lutan Fyah and more.
Date: July 30-Aug. 1
Location: Geel, Belgium
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: July 31-Aug. 2
Location: Berghaupten, Germany
This year, Black Forest on Fire Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary with performances by Queen Omega, Gentleman, Cali P and more.
Date: Aug. 1-2
Location: Milton Keynes, England
Set for The Milton Keynes National Bowl, this year’s lineup features over 120 artists across seven stages. King of Dancehall Vybz Kartel will be making his Reggae Land debut, as will Shenseea and The King & The Royals (aka Beenie Man and Morgan Heritage). Additional performers include Shaggy, Tarrus Riley, Barrington Levy, Konshens, Mr Vegas and Super Cat.
Date: Aug. 7-9
Location: St. Malo, France
Groundation will headline this year’s No Logo BZH bash at Fort de St Père, with additional performers set to include The Congos and the McAnuff Family & The Ligerians.
Date: Aug. 14-16
Location: Piercy, Calif.
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Aug. 17-22
Location: Benicàssim, Spain
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Aug. 15-16
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Set for Gaasperpark, this year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Aug. 24-28
Location: Rapoula do Côa, Portugal
Stacked with three music stages, this year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Aug. 28-29
Location: Bratislava, Slovakia
This year’s Uprising Festival will take place near the Zlaté Piesky lake and feature performances by Hempress Sativa & The Unconquerables, Gogol Bordello and Tiken Jah Fakoly.
Date: Sept. 26-27
Location: Sacramento, Calif.
This year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Oct. 16-18
Location: San Diego, Calif.
Set for Mariner’s Point Park, this year’s lineup is TBA.
Date: Nov. 11-16
Location: Miami, Fla.; Falmouth, Jamaica and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
This year’s performance lineup is TBA.
Don't miss the beat! Listen to Foxsoundi News Radio. Click here to listen live!
Comments (0)
Login to comment