On April 24, 2026, officials from the Nevis Island Administration officially launched the 12th iteration of the Nevis Mango Festival, one of the Caribbean’s most beloved annual culinary and cultural celebrations. This year’s event has been reimagined as an expanded four-day experience, running from July 2 to 5, packed with brand-new immersive events and returning fan-favorite activities that highlight the Caribbean island’s iconic mango harvest and vibrant culinary identity.
Pheon Jones, Sales and Marketing Director of the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA), broke down the revamped schedule for attendees and participants alike. The festival will kick off on Thursday, July 2 with an official opening ceremony, followed immediately by the all-new flagship event “Nevis Goes Mango.” This island-wide initiative invites every bar, restaurant, and food business across Nevis to craft and showcase their most creative mango-infused dishes, drinks, and desserts. Patrons will be able to craft their own self-guided culinary tour, moving between participating venues to sample unique mango-inspired creations across the island.
The opening day will also feature the exclusive Mango Supper Club, an intimate fine dining experience hosted at one of Nevis’ top premium venues. This special dinner, which centers mango in every course, will be helmed by celebrity guest chef Eric Adjepong — a celebrated Ghanaian-American cookbook author, Food Network host, and former finalist on *Top Chef: Kentucky Season 16*. Adjepong will bring his signature bold, globally influenced cooking style to the festival, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that blends Nevis’ local culinary traditions with international gastronomic innovation.
On Friday, July 3, Adjepong will lead a hands-on public cooking masterclass at CHASKA Indian Cuisine & Bar, the venue formerly known as Yubrenta. The afternoon will bring back the ever-popular Mango Mania, the festival’s rowdy, crowd-pleasing event that features both a competitive mixology challenge and the iconic mango-eating contest that draws participants and spectators from across the region each year.
Saturday, July 4 will host the Passport Food Crawl, a guided progressive tasting experience that transports attendees across the island via a dedicated party bus. Stops are pre-curated by festival organizers to showcase the best mango-infused small bites and craft cocktails from top local establishments.
The festival will wrap up on Sunday, July 5 with its iconic signature closing event “For the Love of Mangoes,” held this year at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park. The full-day grand showcase will host 60 local food and beverage vendors, a dedicated kids’ activity zone, a premium VIP lounge, and nonstop entertainment for attendees of all ages. Highlights of the closing day include the festival’s highly anticipated competitive chef cooking challenge and a starlit open-air Mango Festival Concert to cap off the weekend.
In remarks at the official launch, NTA CEO Andia Ravariere framed the festival as far more than a seasonal tourism event. “Nevis is blessed with an extraordinary abundance of mango varieties, rich soil, culinary creativity, and a community spirit that transforms something simple into something spectacular — that is the magic of the festival,” she said. “We take what is authentically ours and turn it into an experience that captures international attention.”
Honourable Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and the island’s Minister of Tourism, added that the event has seen consistent year-over-year growth in both scale and global impact, now drawing a diverse mix of local attendees, regional visitors, and international tourists from key markets including the United States and Canada. This year, roughly 60 chefs will participate across the festival’s events, promising attendees a wide-ranging, exceptional culinary experience.
“For the Love of Mangoes,” he said. “If you have a love for mangoes and a passion for great food, this festival is for you. It has evolved into a premier culinary showcase, and we warmly welcome everyone to come and be part of the experience.”
Tickets for the 2026 Nevis Mango Festival are available for purchase now through the festival’s official website at https://www.nevismangofest.com/.