ABOUT THE EVENT
A four-day cultural festival centered on Afro-Caribbean heritage through art, history, and community engagement. It positions itself not just as an event, but as a movement that invites all communities in Sint Maarten to connect with a shared history in an inclusive and respectful way.
Rather than following typical Caribbean festival aesthetics, AFKA builds a distinct identity moving away from stereotypes and focusing on depth, dignity, and cultural meaning with art being a vector of change.
Its audience spans both younger and older generations, balancing cultural relevance with educational value. In contrast to party-driven festivals, AFKA stands as a space for reflection, dialogue, and collective celebration.
Day 1 - Thu
Opening Night - Exhibition at Lemonade HUB in Guana Bay
Afro karibe presents an intimate exhibition experience at guana bay, hosted at the lemonade hub from 7pm to 11pm.This special showcase sets the tone on june 25, 2026, blending afro-caribbean culture, art, and atmosphere in a unique refined setting. guests can expect a curated display of creative expression, vibrant energy, and a warm, community-driven vibe as the sun sets over Great bay. This early evening gathering offers a exclusive preview of the AFKA experience.
Day 2 - Fri
Historical Restoration and Art Exhibition in Philipsburg
Set as an open-air event in multiple venues on Frontstreet Philipsburg, the program begins with visual art and poetry performances. The central theme of this exhibition is migration tracing the inbound and outbound movements of peoples across the Caribbean that have shaped our islands into a true melting pot .
Through visual arts local and regional Caribbean artists present ancestry in its full spectrum: the intertwined Black/African lineages and Native Indian heritage that together tell the story of displacement, colonization, enslavement, and survival from past to present.
As part of this collaboration, the Museum historian will provide several guided tours allowing visitors to gain deeper insight.
During each tour, guests will be offered a small traditional drinks and snack, creating a welcoming cultural experience. The day concludes with an open dialogue session, inviting participants to reflect on family memory, oral history, and local archives.
The Cultural experience culminates into a reggae concert by local artists encompassing the main theme of Freedom, Unity and love
Day 3 - Sat
Afro Aesthetics, Materials, and Ancestral Identity
at Emilio Wilson Park.
On this day, Emilio Wilson Park transforms into a vibrant open-air art market, filled with booths and vendor displays that celebrate Afro-Caribbean creativity. Local artisans, designers, and cultural vendors will showcase and sell handcrafted jewelry, textiles, fashion
pieces, hair and skin products, and other art forms inspired by African heritage and Caribbean innovation.
Lecture & Discussion: “The History of Braids in Black Hair” Lettitia Peterson (SAHP) delivers a lecture tracing the evolution of African hairstyling traditions—before slavery, during enslavement, and in the present day.
Workshops: “The Art and Heritage of African Batik Fabric”
Cadula Jones (SAHP) leads a workshop introducing participants to the African art of stamped batik fabric using Adinkra symbols that predate Christianity.
The final part of the Day is Izaline Calister’s musical performance which masterfully blends the vibrant Calypso roots of her native Curaçao with the sophistication of jazz. Her sound is both distinctive and deeply expressive. Drawing inspiration from the island’s rhythms, dances, and traditional songs, she reimagines these influences through her own contemporary compositions, shaping a unique musical identity that resonates across cultures.
Day 4 - Sun
Memory Through Film, dance and Dialogue
at Emilio Wilson Park
Day 4 continues at Emilio Wilson Park open-air cultural experience blending film, dance, and dialogue this time. The day unfolds in the same setting filled with tents and creative booths, where visitors can explore arts and crafts, enjoy live demonstrations, and participate in interactive workshops centered on Afro-Caribbean heritage and creativity. As evening falls, the stage comes alive with a dance performance by NIA Dance School, symbolizing the endurance and spiritual strength of enslaved Africans and their
descendants.
In the Movie Section of the Emilio WIlson park multiple local movies and short movies will be screened throughout the day . Ghost island by Lissandro Suriel, Atlantis Rebirth By Jonathan or Echoes of the Enslaved will offer a cinematic journey through the history of slavery, from the Elmina Battle to the Middle Passage and its lingering impact today. Following the film, a moderated panel discussion brings together historians, cultural leaders, and community voices to unpack the causes and consequences of slavery, exploring how its legacy continues to shape identity, culture, and social structures in the Caribbean.
DAY 1
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 2
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 3
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 4
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer nec odio. Praesent libero. Sed cursus ante dapibus diam. Sed nisi. Nulla quis sem at nibh elementum imperdiet. Duis sagittis ipsum. Praesent mauris. Fusce nec tellus sed augue semper porta. Mauris massa.
DAY 1
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 2
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 3
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
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DAY 1
Historical Restoration
& Art Exhibition
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
THE EXPERIENCE
Event Highlights
MEET OUR PARTNERS
CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
TICKETS
Different passes for every kind of festival-goer. Secure yours and be part of the movement
VIP PASS
EARLY BIRD
$150
100 TICKETS ONLY
✓ VIP Zone Access
✓ Drink + Meal Included
✓ Concert & Weekend Access
✓ Workshops + Art Market
PREMIUM PASS
FIRST WAVE
✓ Access to Sat Market
✓ Workshops (Sat–Sun)
✓ Indoor Zone
✓ Relaxing Zone
Add a Title
200 TICKETS ONLY
$85
WEEKEND PASS
SAT & SUN
$50
✓ Concert + Weekend Access
✓ Workshops (Sat–Sun)
✓ Movie + Relaxing Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$50
SATURDAY PASS
ADULT
$40
✓ Saturday Concert Access
✓ Saturday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$40
SUNDAY PASS
ADULT
$20
✓ Sunday Access Pass
✓ Sunday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$20
KIDS PASS
SATURDAY
$10
✓ Saturday Concert Access
✓ Saturday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$10
VIP PASS
EARLY BIRD
$150
100 TICKETS ONLY
✓ VIP Zone Access
✓ Drink + Meal Included
✓ Concert & Weekend Access
✓ Workshops + Art Market
PREMIUM PASS
FIRST WAVE
$85
200 TICKETS ONLY
Add a Title
✓ Access to Sat Market
✓ Workshops (Sat–Sun)
✓ Indoor Zone
✓ Relaxing Zone
WEEKEND PASS
SAT & SUN
$50
✓ Concert + Weekend Access
✓ Workshops (Sat–Sun)
✓ Movie + Relaxing Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$50
SATURDAY PASS
ADULT
$40
✓ Saturday Concert Access
✓ Saturday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$40
SUNDAY PASS
ADULT
$20
✓ Sunday Access Pass
✓ Sunday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$20
KIDS PASS
SATURDAY
$10
✓ Saturday Concert Access
✓ Saturday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$10
KIDS PASS
SUNDAY
$10
✓ Sunday Concert Access
✓ Saturday Workshops
✓ Indoor + Movie Zone
✓ Access to Art Market
$10