VincyMas 2026 opens with Calypso semi’s tonight

THE CALYPSO SEMI-FINALS are slated for today, June 26, marking the official opening of VincyMas 2026 under the theme ‘The Great Escape’.

The semi-finals will see a total of 22 calypsonians vying for a spot in the finals as part of the Fantastic Friday festivities at Independence Park, Kingstown, commencing at 8:00 p.m.

Audiences will be tracking the six female contenders: namely newcomer Chanique singing ‘Lift me up’; veteran Shaunelle McKenzie with ‘At we doorstep’; Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd performing ‘De Search’; Shena Collis with ‘New chef in the Kitchen now’; Cecile ‘Lil Bit’ King singing ‘Liberation year’; and Marvo ‘Marvolous Marvo’ Morgan performing ‘Keep on trying’.

The 12-day festival, which concludes on July 7, 2026, features a dense line-up of nationwide festivities. Following tonight’s ‘Fantastic Friday’ competition, the schedule shifts to showcase the youths starting with Junior Carnival on June 27. Junior Panorama is scheduled for June 28, and the Junior Calypso

and Soca Monarch contest will be on June 30.

The July itinerary opens with the multi-day Vincy-Mas Food Village, running from Wednesday, July 1-8. The competitive schedule resumes on July 2 with Steel and Glitter, followed by EVO on July 3, Big Bad Soca Monarch on July 4, and Dimanche Gras on July 5.

The festival reaches its peak on Monday, July 6 with J’ouvert and the Monday Jam, before coming to a close with Mardi Gras, the grand finale on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

A final post-carnival Argyle International Airport(AIA) Activation event titled ‘Promise’ is scheduled to wrap up the carnival season on Sunday, July 12.