World Creole Music Festival returns to Dominica with star-studded 2026 lineup

Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival will return to Windsor Park Sports Stadium from October 23–25, bringing Grammy Award-winning artists, Caribbean music stars and leading Creole performers to the island for three nights during its Independence season.

The 2026 festival lineup includes American R&B star Ne-Yo, Trinidad and Tobago soca superstar Machel Montano, British reggae singer Maxi Priest, Jamaican dancehall artists Alkaline and Skillibeng, South African amapiano star Uncle Waffles, Jamaican reggae icon Capleton and Haitian American singer and songwriter Fridayy.

The festival will also feature artists from across the Caribbean and wider Creole music community, including Haitian groups Klass and Tabou Combo; Guadeloupean acts Les Aiglons, Jean-Marc Ferdinand and Edday; Martinique’s Maurane Voyer; Congolese soukous musician Diblo Dibala; Trinidad and Tobago’s Full Blown; Grenada’s V’ghn; and Saint Lucia’s DYP Band featuring Shemmy J, Tall Boy, Sedale, Hollywood HP, Nerdy, Andrew Biscuit and Ezra D’Funmachine.

Dominican artists will remain at the center of the festival, with Midnight Groovers, TK International, Asa Bantan, Signal Band, Extasy Band, Colton T, Mr. Ridge, Pudaz, Reo, Nice, Gwada G and Shaxx among the homegrown acts confirmed for the three-day event.

The DJ lineup includes Dominican, regional and international selectors Osocity, Kevin Crown, Optimistic Sounds and DJ Outkast.

Organizers say the festival will span R&B, soca, dancehall, reggae, bouyon, cadence-lypso, kompa, soukous and amapiano while retaining the Creole musical identity that has defined WCMF since its inception.

Marva Williams, chief executive officer of the Discover Dominica Authority, said the festival has become an important platform for Dominican music while attracting visitors from across the Caribbean, the diaspora and international markets.

“For nearly three decades, the World Creole Music Festival has provided a distinctly Dominican platform where our music meets the sounds of the Caribbean and the world,” Williams said.

She encouraged visitors to make the festival part of a broader trip to Dominica during the island’s Independence season.

“Come for the music, but stay for the culture, the cuisine, the traditional wear, the village celebrations, our people and the incredible beauty of the Nature Island,” Williams said. “There is so much more to experience and this is one of the most exciting and authentic times of year to discover Dominica.”

Festival drives tourism

WCMF is one of Dominica’s signature tourism events and a major driver of visitor arrivals during the Independence season.

The 2025 festival attracted more than 42,000 attendees across its three nights. During the nine-day period surrounding the festival, Dominica welcomed 10,540 visitors, a 48% increase from 2024 and a 61% increase from 2023, according to the Discover Dominica Authority.

The festival also gives regional and international visitors an opportunity to extend their stay and experience Dominica’s wider Independence celebrations, along with its adventure, wellness, culinary and nature-based attractions.

A range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, villas and other accommodations remains available across the island. Travelers are encouraged to make arrangements early as demand is expected to increase closer to the festival.

Visitors seeking assistance with their WCMF trip can contact the Discover Dominica Authority’s Concierge Team for help with travel arrangements, accommodations, festival tickets and experiences. The team can be reached at (767) 275-7298 or (767) 275-7293, or by email at daconcierge1@discoverdominica.dm and daconcierge2@discoverdominica.dm.

The World Creole Music Festival will take place October 23, 24 and 25 at Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau. Tickets are on sale now.

Festival and ticket information is available at DominicaFestivals.com, while destination information is available through Discover Dominica.

The festival is presented by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority.