After a 12-year hiatus, the Guyana Festival is set to return next month as a major feature of Guyana’s 60th Independence celebrations, with organisers promising a large-scale cultural showcase designed to unite Guyanese at home and abroad.
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce on Thursday officially launched Guyana Festival 2026: Sound, Soul, Taste during a press conference at the Guyana National Stadium, where Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, outlined plans for the three-day event.
Scheduled for May 15 to 17, the festival will be staged at the National Stadium as part of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee programme commemorating 60 years of independence.
Rodrigues described the event as the ministry’s flagship activity for May and a celebration of Guyana’s culture, heritage, and national progress.
“It calls us to celebrate 60 years of nationhood with pride, passion, and purpose,” Rodrigues said. “It calls us to honour the strength of our people, the richness of our heritage, and the vibrant spirit that has shaped Guyana into one of the world’s most dynamic and compelling emerging destinations.”
She said the festival is intended to attract Guyanese from all regions, members of the diaspora, and international visitors travelling to Guyana during the independence season.
The festival was first conceptualised and launched in 2014 by President Irfaan Ali during his tenure as acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, when it was introduced under the Guyana Gold Festival/Guyana Festival brand to promote local culture, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
This year’s event marks the revival of that initiative.
“This year’s festival marks the powerful rebirth of a visionary concept, reimagined for a new era of national pride and cultural confidence,” Rodrigues said.
The opening ceremony on May 15 will begin at 5:00 p.m. and will be free to the public. President Ali is expected to deliver the feature address, while the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force are also slated to participate, alongside cultural performances highlighting Guyana’s history and identity.
Admission after 8:00 p.m. on opening night will require tickets.
A major attraction of the festival will be its Cultural Zone and Culinary Village, where patrons will be able to explore the traditions of Guyana’s six peoples through cuisine, music, dance, storytelling, arts, crafts, and heritage displays.
Rodrigues said the ministry intentionally curated the “Taste of Guyana” culinary experience to ensure visitors can sample authentic dishes representing all ethnic groups, while local chefs will also offer modern interpretations of traditional ingredients.
On May 16, festivalgoers can attend a culture and food extravaganza from 2:00 p.m., followed by the Night of Legends Concert at 8:00 p.m., which will honour veteran Guyanese performers, including Charmaine Blackman and Sammy Baksh, among others.
The final day, May 17, will feature a National Cookout Competition, with participants preparing dishes representing various ethnic groups for cash prizes and tourism rewards.
The festival will culminate with the One Guyana Concert on Sunday evening, showcasing contemporary Guyanese artistes and local music genres.
Other planned activities include arts and crafts exhibitions, pottery-making sessions, drama, comedy, poetry, family entertainment, film screenings featuring Guyanese productions, and live cultural demonstrations.
Adult tickets will cost $1,000, while children under 12 will be admitted free.
Organisers are also reintroducing the Guyana Festival Passport, priced at G$5,000, which grants access to all official festival events over the three nights, while offering discounts from partner businesses, tour operators, and hotels.
Passport holders will additionally qualify for nightly prize draws and a grand prize giveaway, including electronics, travel packages, hotel stays, smartphones, and a BYD vehicle valued at $5.5 million, sponsored by BYD and GT Automotive.
Rodrigues said private sector support for the event has been strong, despite the festival being revived after more than a decade.
“Even though the Guyana Festival is now being reintroduced after 12 years and we have to build the brand, all of those sponsors that we reached out to have already come on board and agreed to support us,” she noted.
The minister said organisers have also received positive responses from cultural groups nationwide, ensuring representation from Guyana’s diverse ethnic communities, including those in hinterland regions.
“As we mark 60 years of independence, I invite every Guyanese at home and across the diaspora to be part of this defining national celebration,” Rodrigues said.
Additional details on ticket sales, parking, and festival logistics are expected to be released in the coming days via the ministry’s and the festival’s official social media platforms.
