KINGSTON, Jamaica — The 2026 Kingston Carnival season has been celebrated as a major economic win for the Jamaican capital, even as city leaders grapple with an outbreak of violence that left three people wounded over the weekend. Andrew Swaby, Mayor of Kingston, stressed that the annual celebration delivered widespread growth across multiple local industries, standing by his assessment of the event as a resounding success in spite of the shooting at the popular Big Wall carnival party.
In an official statement released this week, Swaby emphasized that Carnival has solidified its position as a key economic driver for Kingston, injecting new energy into the city’s urban core and spurring activity across hospitality, retail, transportation and countless small business sectors. “Once again, the event has proven its lasting value, and its growing economic importance to our city cannot be overstated,” Swaby said. “I want to extend my sincere recognition to the mas bands, event organizers, and thousands of patrons who came together to make this year’s celebration a success.”
Swaby detailed that the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) embedded itself in the planning process from the very beginning, working hand-in-hand with event stakeholders to fine-tune logistics, coordinate public services, and lay the groundwork for smooth execution. This year’s event, he argued, serves as a powerful model for what public-private collaboration can achieve when paired with intentional strategic planning and a shared commitment to delivering a high-quality experience for all attendees.
Among the most notable improvements highlighted by the mayor was a marked upgrade in waste management and post-event cleanup operations. Swaby reported that city crews cleared parade routes and event spaces far faster than in previous years following the annual road march, cutting down on environmental disruption and returning downtown streets to normal daily use in record time. He called this progress a major milestone, crediting the hard work and dedication of municipal cleaning teams and event staff. To address longstanding concerns about paint stains left on public infrastructure from Carnival activities, organizers and municipal officials tested all paint used in parades and events to ensure formulations could be easily and fully removed after the celebration, a proactive step designed to minimize avoidable disruption to the city.
Even as leaders celebrated the event’s many wins, they did not shy away from addressing the violent incident that marred the final weekend of the season. Swaby issued a firm condemnation of the shooting at the Big Wall carnival party, which left three people injured: one a bystander, and including popular local podcaster Jaii Frais. Local reports confirm the incident involved music producer Jahvy Ambassador, associates of dancehall artist 450, and Frais, and Jahvy Ambassador has since been taken into police custody. Organizers of the Big Wall event have already issued a public apology for the violence.
“We unequivocally condemn all acts of violence that took place at this event,” Swaby said. “Our thoughts are with everyone who was injured, and we extend our deepest wishes for a fast and full recovery to all three affected individuals.”