The Family String Band on night to of the 2025 Fungi Fest. Photo: Facebook

Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said culture and tourism go hand in hand during the 2025 Fungi Fest. Photo: Facebook

Razor Blades on night 2 of the 2025 Fungi Fest. Photo: Facebook

A 30-foot Christmas tree was lit on night 2 of the 2025 Fungi Fest at the Cyril B. Romney Pier Park. Photo: Facebook

Fungi Fest began on Jost van Dyke on November 14, 2025, and moved to Tortola on November 15, 2025, culminating on Virgin Gorda on November 16, 2025.

Fungi Fest formed part of the larger Tourism and Culture Month of activities being held under the theme, ’Rooted in Culture, Growing through Tourism’. 

On Tortola, patrons were treated to entertainment from Four Strong, Two Brain Cells, Zion Sounds, Razor Blades, Lashing Dogs, NTCG Fungi Band, Family String Band, Honey Bees and more. 

The lighting of the 30-foot Christmas Tree also took place, starting the holiday season in the VI.

Culture & Tourism go hand in hand

Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said on night two of Fungi Fest at the Cyril B. Romney Pier Park, that since 1994, the VI has been observing Culture Week and recently began observing Culture and Tourism Month. 

“Obviously, because culture and tourism go hand in hand. Tourism being our second economic pillar and culture being our heritage, and in order for us to attract persons to our destination, we need to be able to showcase to them just who we are as Virgin Islanders, that includes our music, our performing arts in our music, dance, drama, culinary arts, our literary arts.”

Hon Hodge-Smith added that it is important for the Virgin Islands’ history and culture to be showcased, and ways to pass it on to the youth should be discovered. 

“We want to see our young people engage in our history, in our culture, so that it can be passed on for generations to come,” Hon Hodge-Smith added.