Reggae legends Beres Hammond, Capleton, and Leroy Sibbles are set to be honoured at this year’s Grand Gala celebrations, scheduled for Independence Day, Wednesday, August 6. The annual event will mark the culmination of Jamaica’s 2025 Independence festivities under the theme, “Be Proud and Be Bold in Green, Black and Gold.”
Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, in an interview with Observer Online, said the cultural icons chosen for special recognition have been true ambassadors for the country.
“We will honour icons Beres Sibbles, Capleton, and Leroy Sibbles who have played an important role in promoting our music and culture globally. They have done a great job representing us as a nation, flying our flag high worldwide. This is our way to say thank you, we are grateful and we see you,” Grange said.
Grange also emphasized the grandeur of this year’s event, which will feature performances by Luciano and Chris Martin and a cast of over 3,000 of Jamaica’s most talented youth.
“You can expect a great production, fireworks, drones and exciting scenes,” the minister said. “This year’s Grand Gala will be spectacular. We always try to make it bigger than the last.”
Grange confirmed plans are in place to recognize the legacies of the three honourees.
“We’re gonna honour icons Beres Hammond, Capleton, and Leroy Sibbles who have played a huge part in pushing our music and culture on a global scale. They have represented us well as a country, flown the flag high for us worldwide, and this is our way of saying, Thank you, we see you, and we appreciate you,” she reiterated. “We will have Luciano and Chris Martin performing and a cast of over 3,000, so it’s gonna be a big, big thing.”
Last year’s honorees included dancehall veterans Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.
This year’s showcase will also pay tribute to Jamaica’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. On July 12, 2025, the World Heritage Committee officially inscribed The Archaeological Landscape of 17th Century Port Royal on the World Heritage List—a decade after the Blue and John Crow Mountains earned similar status. As part of the Grand Gala, scenes will recreate the historic Port Royal experience.
“As usual, the Grand Gala will be grand. Every year we try to make it grander,” Grange said. “We draw performers from the plains of St Catherine and Kingston and St Andrew, and again we train them. They always give an awesome show, and this year will be no different.”
While tens of thousands of Jamaicans are expected to pack the National Stadium in their national colours, the ministry has also made plans to ensure no one is left out. A public watch party will be held at Independence Village in the National Arena, and each parish capital will host its own mini gala.
“There will be fireworks in at least 11 locations across the island as well as street dances everywhere, so everybody will get a chance to join in on the celebrations,” said Grange. “So if you can’t make it to the National Stadium, nobody gets left out of the spectacle.”
