CARIFESTA 2025: Celebrating Caribbean Arts, Culture & Heritage
Have you ever heard of CARIFESTA?
Well, every four years, the Caribbean unites in a spectacular showcase of creativity, culture & talent known as CARIFESTA — the Caribbean Festival of Arts. Since its inception in 1972, the festival has served as a stage for artists, performers, and storytellers from across the Caribbean region to share their craft and traditions with each other and the world. CARIFESTA is now recognized as the largest cultural festival in the Caribbean, highlighting the arts not only as entertainment but as a vital part of the region’s identity and development.
This year, CARIFESTA XV was hosted by Barbados in August 2025 under the theme “Caribbean Roots, Global Excellence.” The festival brought together thousands of creatives and audiences from around the Caribbean for ten days of action, including theatre and drama performances, dance performances, music concerts, fashion shows, visual art galleries, workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions. Each Caribbean country had their rich and diverse culture on display, showcasing what makes them so unique while also providing a reminder of what unites them all.
The opening ceremony lit up Bridgetown, Barbados with parades, costumes, and unforgettable performances. Take a look at this video from a Trinidadian creator Hot Foot Harmony for a glimpse of the energy and artistry on display.
CARIFESTA is about more than performances though — it’s a place for Caribbean art and artists to thrive. Workshops in music, dance, voice and steelpan are available for persons to attend. Each one is hosted by esteemed regional professionals in the industry. Panel discussions on topics relevant to the arts in the Caribbean are also held which allow for open dialogue on issues, innovation and ideas.
From children experiencing theatre for the first time to communities celebrating age-old traditions from each country, CARIFESTA ensures there is an exchange among the islands and that Caribbean culture remains alive and thriving for generations to come.
A highlight of this year’s CARIFESTA was the Grand Market - an 8 day event not to be missed. It was the heartbeat of the festival as it hosted daily fashion shows, literary showcases, a children’s storytime, lunchtime performances, and a grand bazaar - a place where Caribbean entrepreneurs could showcase and sell their products ranging from books to wellness products to fashion and more. Watch this Carifesta Fashion Haul by Antiguan & Barbudan creator Zoe Mercedes for a taste of some Caribbean Fashion available at the festival.
Whether it’s the spectacle of dance and music, the storytelling of theatre or spoken word, or the craftsmanship seen in fashion and visual arts, the festival is a true celebration of Caribbean creativity and we are honored to share it with our Bôhten community.
For anyone passionate about learning more about the diversity of Caribbean culture, CARIFESTA is an experience you don't want to miss. Follow the official CARIFESTA pages to stay updated, and add the next staging of CARIFESTA to your calendar to witness the richness, diversity, and unity of Caribbean arts all in one place.
*Bohten does not own the rights to any of the photos used in this post. All photos were sourced from the CARIFESTA official page.*