Roseau, Dominica – Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) has once again demonstrated its immense cultural and economic power, celebrating its 25th anniversary, or Silver Jubilee, with unprecedented success. Held from October 24-26, 2025, the festival, themed “Global Echoes of the Nature Island: Celebrating 25 Years of Creole Music, Magic, and Memories,” not only captivated over 42,000 patrons across its three electrifying nights but also spurred a significant surge in tourism and economic activity for the Caribbean nation.
A Milestone Anniversary: Echoes of Creole Culture
The 25th edition of the WCMF, orchestrated by the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, served as a profound celebration of Creole music, culture, and identity. The theme, “Global Echoes of the Nature Island,” encapsulates the festival’s journey from its inception in 1997 to its current status as a premier cultural event in the Caribbean. It highlights Dominica’s rich heritage and its role as a hub for diverse Creole musical expressions. This milestone edition paid homage to the pioneers who shaped Caribbean music while looking forward to its continued evolution.
A Global Stage for Diverse Music Genres
This year’s festival lived up to its reputation as “The Festival That Never Sleeps,” featuring a star-studded lineup that spanned the spectrum of Creole music and beyond. Over three nights at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, audiences were treated to an eclectic mix of genres including zouk, bouyon, kompa, cadence-lypso, reggae, dancehall, soca, and afrobeat.
Night one, “Fire & Foundation,” paid tribute to musical trailblazers, with performances from Antiguan legends Burning Flames, UK/Jamaican reggae titans Steel Pulse, Jamaican artist Romain Virgo, and Dominican acts like Midnight Groovers and TK International.
“Creole Carnival” on night two brought high-energy performances from Jamaican dancehall stars Spice and Vybz Kartel, alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band, and a strong contingent of Dominican artists including WCK and Asa Bantan.
The “Grand Finale” on Sunday, October 26, featured a world-class roster, including Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage, the dynamic duo Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons from Trinidad and Tobago, and iconic French Antillean group Kassav’. The festival consistently draws top names, reinforcing its status as a significant platform for global Creole music.
From Objectives to Economic Powerhouse
Established in 1997, the World Creole Music Festival was born with the dual objectives of developing Dominica’s arts and entertainment industries while simultaneously promoting the island as a tourism destination. Over its 25-year history, it has become a vital contributor to the nation’s economy and a cornerstone of its tourism strategy.
The 2025 edition shattered expectations, attracting over 42,000 patrons, a significant increase from the 30,217 attendees in 2024. Visitor arrivals in the nine days leading up to the festival reached 10,540, marking a remarkable 48% increase and the highest pre-festival performance ever recorded. This surge created a substantial economic ripple effect, benefiting small businesses, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation services, and the creative sector.
“Dominicans welcomed the world, and the world responded,” stated Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, Minister for Tourism. “The success of our 25th anniversary festival reflects not just great planning but the passion, creativity and resilience of our people. The multiplier effect from this single weekend is being felt across every corner of the economy”. Hotels reported near-full occupancy, and local entrepreneurs experienced strong commercial gains, underscoring the festival’s broad economic impact and its role in sustaining livelihoods.
More Than Music: The Nature Island Experience
Beyond the pulsating rhythms, the WCMF offers visitors a holistic experience of Dominica, the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”. Organizers encourage attendees to extend their stays to explore the island’s natural beauty, from its lush rainforests and waterfalls to its hot springs and marine life. The festival also serves as a showcase for Creole cuisine, crafts, fashion, and the warm hospitality of the Dominican people, making it a comprehensive cultural immersion.
As the silver anniversary celebrations conclude, the WCMF has solidified its legacy as a leading cultural event in the Caribbean, amplifying Creole voices, fostering regional unity, and driving economic growth. Dominica continues to affirm its position as a premier destination for music, culture, and tourism, with plans already underway to make the 2026 festival an even grander celebration.