OCHO RIOS, Jamaica — The 2026 edition of Jamaica’s beloved Vacae Weekend drew to a spectacular close on Monday evening at Plantation Cove in St. Ann, where the sold-out Campari Sandz Festival brought a four-day celebration of Caribbean music and culture to a rousing standing ovation. The annual Easter weekend entertainment series capped its run with a high-energy grand finale headlined by one of dancehall’s fastest-rising talents, Malie Donn, whose commanding set cemented his status as one of the genre’s most exciting new acts.
Thousands of enthusiastic music fans packed the St. Ann venue for the closing event, turning out in droves to cap their long weekend with live entertainment that blended chart-topping music, immersive production, and signature Caribbean hospitality. For years, Sandz has built a reputation as one of Jamaica’s most polished and dynamic festival events, and this year’s iteration did not disappoint. Attendees were treated to a stacked lineup that mixed live vocal performances with sets from some of the region’s most in-demand DJs, including Shukkle Bus, Chromatic, Donhot and Ricky Platinum, who kept energy high from gates open through the final encore.
The night’s undeniable highlight was Malie Donn’s performance, the latest career milestone for the V6 deejay who has quickly climbed the ranks of the global dancehall scene. Taking the stage to roaring cheers, the breakout artist delivered a 45-minute set packed with his biggest fan-favorite hits, including *7:00 pm*, *Body Tea*, and *Dragga*. His high-octane, audience-focused performance held the crowd’s attention from start to finish, with thousands singing along to every lyric and reinforcing the growing commercial and cultural traction he has earned across the Caribbean and beyond.
Complementing the on-stage talent was this year’s carefully executed *Pirates of the Caribbean*-themed production, which wove a cohesive visual narrative through every element of the festival space. From the custom-built stage design to small decorative touches scattered throughout the venue, the theme was brought to life seamlessly, creating a visually immersive atmosphere that elevated the entire attendee experience.
For event organizers, the smooth execution of this year’s Sandz Festival is a clear marker of how far Vacae Weekend has come as a premium international entertainment brand. Andrew Ellis, CEO of Twenty14 Ltd — the parent company behind Vacae Weekend — noted that the 2026 event hit every goal organizers set out to achieve. “This year, we focused on delivering a strong, satisfying finish to what had already been a perfect weekend of celebration,” Ellis explained. “From the headlining performance to the small production details, everything came together seamlessly. We’re endlessly proud of the work our team puts in to pull off an event of this scale, and to bring this kind of world-class experience to Jamaica.”
This year’s Vacae Weekend would not have been possible without the long-term support of title sponsor Campari Group, whose ongoing investment in Jamaica’s entertainment and cultural sector helped elevate every element of the event. Across the four-day series, the global beverage group integrated its portfolio of premium brands to enhance multiple attendee touchpoints, aligning with the company’s long-standing commitment to backing events that center Caribbean music, lifestyle and cultural heritage. For attendees, organizers and artists alike, the 2026 Campari Sandz Festival has set a new bar for future editions of the beloved Easter weekend tradition.