Kingston, Jamaica – The road to the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition continues this Saturday, May 16, with the highly anticipated semi-final show at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, starting at 6:00 pm.
The event, organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC will feature an exciting mix of presentations by 33 performers from across the island, all competing for a coveted place among the Top 10 finalists in the prestigious competition. These performers were shortlisted from an initial batch of 180 entries.
Saturday’s showcase is free to the public. The performers will take to the stage with their original songs that capture the spirit of the nation.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia Grange, OJ, CD, MP, noted that this year’s staging carries added significance, as it marks the 60th anniversary of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, one of the nation’s most enduring and beloved cultural programmes.
“I am so proud of this competition. Envisioned by the founding fathers of the festival movement to promote the local music industry, the festival has grown from strength to strength, with a vast and enviable catalogue of entries and winners. This year, the competition celebrates its diamond anniversary, which is a testament to its potency. Like in previous years, we are looking forward to a great batch of songs this year, which we can submit for consideration for the Grammy Award,” Minister Grange said.
The Jamaica Festival Song Competition remains a cornerstone of the country’s annual Emancipation and Independence celebrations and continues to provide a platform for emerging and established artistes to showcase their talent on a national stage. It is the longest-running competition of its kind in the country, and has spawned many winners who have gone on to become household names. These include Toots Hibbert, Eric Donaldson and Roy Rayon. Other winners have included The Astronauts, Stanley and the Turbines, Tinga Stewart, Stacious, and Buju Banton. Last year, the competition was won by Abigail “Abi-D” Dunstan with her song Sweet JA.
