One Celebration. One Road. One Day. One Carnival!

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage has announced a landmark moment in the evolution of Cayman Carnival. After eight years of operating independently, the two major carnival organizations—Batabano and CayMas—have formally unified their carnival road marches and will move forward together under the banner of One Carnival.

This historic reunification is the result of several months of constructive dialogue and negotiations, supported by input from multiple government departments and agencies. Through this collaborative process, Saturday, 23 May 2026, has been officially confirmed as the date for the 2026 Carnival Road March. The unified approach will also allow for one coordinated road closure, significantly reducing disruption to the public while delivering a seamless and enhanced carnival experience.

Hon. Isaac Rankine, Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, expressed sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to this achievement. He extended special thanks to the Department of Tourism for its guidance on date selection and to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service for its consultation in identifying the most appropriate route to ensure public safety and minimal interruption.

One Carnival road march will be a cornerstone event of Heritage Month, which will once again feature Emancipation Day, Art Week, and 345 Day celebrations. In addition, the Ministry will introduce free cultural workshops and a speaker series throughout the month, aimed at strengthening cultural awareness, education, and community engagement during the extended celebrations.

Ms. Donna Myrie of Batabano welcomed the announcement, noting:

“For years, our community has dreamed of seeing Carnival celebrated under one umbrella. Now with the full support of the Ministry of Culture, and the launch of Heritage Month in May, that dream is finally coming through. This is a moment of pride and joy for our community, our sponsors, and our masqueraders—where culture takes centre stage and we celebrate the traditions that unite us all.”

Ms. Myrie further added that Carnival has always had its roots under the Batabano umbrella.

“Over time, the celebration evolved in different directions, and today marks a meaningful return—bringing all masqueraders and bands back together once again.”

Mr. Jermaine Sharpe of CayMas also welcomed the reunification:

“On behalf of CayMas, we would like to thank Minister Rankine and his Ministry for creating a space where both entities can now function together for the benefit of the carnival product and the people of the Cayman Islands. This unification aligns with the cultural significance of the season and reflects valuable input from other government stakeholders.

This is something the public has been asking for and something we have been working toward for many years. As we move forward under one banner, we remain committed to delivering a better carnival experience for spectators, partners, bands, and participants alike.

We hope that all entities will continue to move forward together with us for the greater good of our islands and our visitors.”

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage looks ahead with optimism to this new chapter for Cayman Carnival—one defined by unity, cultural pride, and a shared national vision.