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Official lineup for 72nd VI Emancipation Festival to be revealed Friday

May 20th, 2026 | Tags: Emancipation Festival artists lineup
The official lineup for the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival will be announced on May 22, 2026, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, starting at 5:30 PM. Photo: Facebook
Organised by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), the Emancipation Festival will take place from July 25 to August 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook
Organised by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), the Emancipation Festival will take place from July 25 to August 11, 2026. Photo: Facebook
The Emancipation Parade will be held on August Monday. Photo: VINO
The Emancipation Parade will be held on August Monday. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The official lineup for the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival will be announced on May 22, 2026, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, starting at 5:30 PM.

This announcement will mark the official kickoff of the emancipation celebrations, as stated in a Facebook post on May 19, 2026. 

1st artists revealed in April 

The first set of artists for the festival was revealed on April 6 and April 7, 2026, as previously reported by Virgin Islands News Online.

Organised by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), the Emancipation Festival will take place from July 25 to August 11, 2026. 

Among the performers announced earlier are Beres Hammond, Nadia Batson, 450, Popcaan, Sizzla, R. City, and Problem Child. 

The festivities will feature a variety of musical performances, local food fairs, and community parades.

11 Responses to “Official lineup for 72nd VI Emancipation Festival to be revealed Friday ”

  • concerned citizen (20/05/2026, 08:58) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please stop the nastiness with the costumes this year. We must regain our self-respect, which has been lost for years. Our emancipation should reflect pride and moving forward to a better frame of mind development When did our emancipation parades make such a big turnaround in costumes, without the ones in charge telling them that it was unacceptable? Who allowed the vulgarity in the streets from the beginning, so that we cannot bring our own children to watch? We can make a change now, people. We have become the laughing stock of ourselves and visitors alike. STOP THE MADNESS! This is why no one respects us anymore, especially the Governor and his cronies. If we don't respect ourselves, how can we expect others to take us seriously? We are our worst enemy.
  • Herbs Powa (20/05/2026, 10:20) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yall can stop there with Beres Hammond, Nadia Batson, 450, Popcaan, Sizzla, R. City, and Problem Child. I want to hear Revalation Da Royal, Jamesy P, I Ritical, Boss, Quieda, Maccabee, JJ, Pit, Chicken, both Chappy's, Guy, Kushun, Ice, Sensi, Melanie Amaro, Monique, Menalic, Terra Mike, Iyaz, Sqad Up.
  • BuzzBvi (20/05/2026, 12:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Beres Hammond, Nadia Batson, 450, Popcaan, Sizzla, R. City, and Problem Child. They from here?
  • Prove me wrong, if you can. (20/05/2026, 13:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Money used wastefully is the normal practice of all political government Cabinet of the British Virgin Islands.
  • Macky (20/05/2026, 17:53) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Beres has 1 foot and health probs. 450 in jail for attempted murder...or some mixup.Rock City online telling us how rich they are. Festival doesnt have to be so expensive. But til better can be done let the worse continue. I'll ask Sizzla how much yall paid him when I talk to him next week. Interestingly enough he uses the $$$ to help build his community, and fix up his bike and cars lol. I dunno why we dont choose to do the same with the $$$ in our community.I can assume Destra, Adam O, Jougu & friends, Pumpa, Shaw, Mr.Killa, Denise & Beenieman. Just cause that's how all you like to roll. I want horse race and will be sour grapes anansi until I get that.
  • How to revive & build Festival (21/05/2026, 06:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here is how you revived and build Festival with a local focus..1/ through competitions..1/ Funji competition. 2/ Steel pan competition...3/, reggae competition...4/ Combo band competition...4/ Brass band Competition...These can be done, From the start of July, leading into festival with good Vybe also , knowing what local talents are available for bookings...How payment works, All entry gets a standard amt...The crowd favourite, gets a favourite fee...Not a lot to build Festival through a local focus.
  • @ HERB POWER (21/05/2026, 13:35) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You don't even go out because if you did you would know that you alone would be in the village with those artist. Just check it out only when jamaican and trini artist come to village it pack with people, if local artist are booked people don't go inside until they are off the stage. Most of those artist you mentioned stop singing long time so please go back to bed.
  • Optimum Sky Dancers for the win! (21/05/2026, 23:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Optimum Sky Dancers for the win!


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