Antigua and Barbuda will witness the inaugural National Easter Festival from April 4th to 6th, 2026, a landmark event organized through a collaborative partnership between the Irene B. Williams Secondary School PTA, Peetron Music, the National PTA Association, and So Arise Music International. This three-day celebration is strategically designed to merge cultural entertainment with substantial educational philanthropy.
The festival itinerary commences on April 4th with the National School Choir Competition, highlighting secondary school ensembles performing in formal dress uniforms. This segment emphasizes vocal precision and artistic discipline, with a coveted $7,000 prize package awaiting the winning choir. The following day, April 5th, is dedicated to the Praise Break Gospel Quest, a competitive platform for gospel artists offering a $10,000 award, aimed at inspiring both participants and audiences through spiritual music.
The grand finale on April 6th, dubbed ‘Joyful Noize,’ will be a large-scale gospel concert featuring dynamic musical performances.
A core component of the festival extends beyond entertainment; it is structured as a charitable endeavor with a rotating annual focus. Proceeds from the 2026 event will be directly channeled to the Irene B. Williams Secondary School to address critical infrastructural and educational needs. Organizers have outlined a sustainable model where a different school will be adopted each subsequent year, ensuring ongoing strategic investment in the nation’s educational infrastructure.
A formal proposal is slated for submission to the national Festival Commission, with expectations of strong governmental and public endorsement. The organizing consortium urges citizens to mark their calendars for this fusion of faith, youth talent, and community service, promising further details in forthcoming announcements.