St. Kitts Music Festival

Started in 1996, the Annual St. Kitts Music Festival attracts both locals and visitors alike. It features various musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary music. 

Past artists have included such prominent acts as Michael Bolton, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Air Supply, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Ashanti, Shaggy, Eve, Bobby Caldwell, DMX, Hugh Masekala, Xtatik, the Temptations, Chaka Khan, Maxi Priest, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and Busta Rhymes. 

At first the St. Kitts Music Festival was called "The Shak Shak Festival" after the shak shaks that blossom on the Poinciana (Cock and Hen Tree) during summer.

But some were afraid the name might "become tiresome," and the current name was adopted the second year.

The St. Kitts Music Festival is held at the Warner Park Sporting Complex in Basseterre, which was one of the hosts for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. It kicks off on a Thursday with the biggest acts usually appearing on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online for individual nights. They're quite reasonable, in the US$40-US$50 range. Purchase tickets online well in advance for a significant discount.

Check the St. Kitts Music Festival website for this year's featured performers. The names are announced in as early as February or as late as April and May. The festival typically is held toward the end of June.

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