Opening night of St. John Celebration 2026 promises a musical kickoff like no other. The ceremony honoring St. John’s own songbird — Tischelle Knight — is set to begin Sunday at 6 p.m.
For many years, Knight was the voice in front of the island’s hometown band — Cool Sessions Brass — and sang some of her most memorable songs that resonated with listeners throughout the Eastern Caribbean. In recent times, she joined forces with Klimaxx Band, considered one of the leading Soca bands among V.I. music fans.
Klimaxx Band is featured among the musical lineup on opening night along with Pumpa, Xtreme Band and Big Shaw.
From Sunday through Saturday, July Fourth, the stage at Knightsville presents fan favorites including a Reggae Night with headliners Tarrus Riley and St. Thomas vocalist Pressure Busspipe.
Organizers working with the Tourism Department Division of Festivals say music fans are making plans for St. John Celebration Village based on the stars shining on stage on any particular night. That includes Tarrus Riley — a New York City-born singer and performer best known for the song “She’s Royal” and his adherence to the Rastafari faith and lifestyle.
Other popular bands from the EC Diaspora include Small Axe Band from St. Kitts-Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago’s KES the Band, and the Virgin Islands’ own Awesome Jam Band.
St. John’s own Cool Sessions Brass and Quelbay Resurrection will liven up the nights in Knightsville; Cool Sessions dominated the island’s music scene from the early 1990s while Quelbay Resurrection grew in popularity over the past six years.
Also on the St. John Celebration lineup, Spectrum Band, the 11-time St. Thomas Carnival Road March winner scheduled to appear Wednesday, July 1.
Music and festival fans from across the Virgin Islands and beyond are invited to visit the Tourism Department Division of Festivals website for more details.
