Ideal for anyone with a love of both sand and smooth serenading, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is back and more swoon-worthy than ever. Having announced its 2026 lineup with R&B icons Brandy and Monica as headliners, here’s what’s awaiting you this summer
Calling all music lovers. Now 34 years strong and one of the Caribbean’s most successful cultural festivals, the event continues to pull in attendees from around the world. An annual Jazz & Arts Festival that grows more popular with every year, this mountainously magical island’s national motto summarises the vibrancy of Saint Lucian life and the fun-loving attitude of its welcoming community.
Running from April 30 to May 10 2026, the island is transformed into a vibrant hub of music, art, and cultural experiences in local communities. By day, switch off and soak up the serenity with the island’s array of charming hotels, unique restaurants and intrepid excursions – but when night falls, make your way to the unique location of northern beauty spot Pigeon Island, where the majority of the events take place, for a non-stop evening of entertainment spent swaying or strutting to the ambience with thousands of other attendees on this 44-acre islet.
The main stage lineup at Pigeon Island National Landmark and Rodney Bay features a mix of music; gospel, Caribbean, jazz, R&B and pop.
Highlights of the 2026 lineup include:
- R&B icons Brandy and Monica
- Global pop star Tems
- Grammy Award winning British R&B singer Ella Mai
- The Original Wailers with Al Anderson and Skip Marley
- British queen of soul Beverley Knight
- Grammy legend Billy Ocean
- Opening Night (April 30): A powerful fusion of Caribbean and international sounds featuring Capleton, Valiant, Asa Bantan, D’YANI, Shervon Sealy, LM Stone, and American country artist Amber Digby.
- Pure Jazz – Ladies in Concert (May 5): An elegant celebration of jazz artistry with the internationally acclaimed Esperanza Spalding, Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne, and Saint Lucian talents Camille Charlemagne and Leandra Modeste.
- Kingdom Night (May 6): An uplifting evening of praise and worship featuring Grammy-nominated American gospel singer and songwriter Tye Tribbett, Ada Ehi, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers, Nigela St. Clair-Daniel, and Saint Lucian gospel all-stars.
- Pure Jazz – Elements of the Arts (May 7): World-class jazz meets creative expression with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Jesse Billy, and a special arts production by the Cultural Development Foundation.
- Caribbean Fusion (May 8): A high-energy showcase of regional brilliance with Kes the Band, The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson and Skip Marley, Dexta Daps, and the Saint Lucian Mélange led by the reigning Groovy Soca King Imran Nerdy.
- World Beats (May 9): A genre-blending night under the stars featuring Grammy Award winning Nigerian singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and genre-blending sound that fuses Afrobeats, R&B, and global pop star – Tems and Grammy Award winning British R&B singer-songwriter celebrated for her smooth vocals, timeless sound, and chart-topping hits Ella Mai. Sharing the stage is the dynamic French Caribbean artist from Martinique X-Man, Lu City, Princess Lover, Les Aiglons de Guadeloupe, and October 4.
- The Ultimate Celebration (May 10 Finale): A grand closing night with Mervin Wilkison and Friends plus Beverley Knight, the celebrated British soul icon whose powerful, expressive voice and decades-long career have earned her multiple MOBO Awards. Festival goers can get ready to sing along with the Grammy Award winning hitmaker whose feel-good, classics make him the perfect soundtrack for the closing night, the legendary Billy Ocean. Fresh from their ‘The Boy is Mine’ tour and closing out the night are Brandy and Monica.
Make it happen
How: For full festival details, updates, and ticket information, visit saintluciajazzandartsfestival.com
When: April 30 to May 10 2026
