Parliament Establishes Festivals Commission to Run Major National Events

Festivals Commission Bill passed as minister pushes to turn events into economic engines

Legislation to establish a national body to manage Antigua and Barbuda’s major festivals was passed in Parliament after Minister of Creative Industries Daryll Matthew outlined plans to transform events like Carnival into major economic drivers.

Presenting the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Bill 2026, Matthew said the government is seeking to reposition festivals beyond entertainment.

“We’re seeking… to turn festivals here in Antigua and Barbuda from events that are mainly only party and fun-oriented to events that [are] economic engines here in the country,” he told the House.

He said the bill also addresses longstanding structural issues in how festivals are managed, pointing to what he described as a divided system.

“You have… an economic engine that is being managed by two different entities,” Matthew said, explaining that planning and execution currently sit with separate bodies.

He added that the disconnect has created inefficiencies. “One group of persons put the plans in place, but have no authority over the persons who are expected to implement these plans,” he said.

Under the legislation, Carnival and the One Nation Festival will now fall under a single commission.

“What will happen going forward with the passage of this bill… is that the two largest festivals here in Antigua and Barbuda — Carnival… and the One Nation music festival — will be managed by the newly formed Festivals Commission,” Matthew said.

He told lawmakers the One Nation Festival is already being expanded, with plans to grow it into a major multi-day event.

“We have now started the transition to take that event into a full-on music festival… the plans are for this event… to transition further into a week-long event,” he said.

Matthew also highlighted the need for professional expertise in managing large-scale events, warning against underestimating the complexity involved.

“It is not as straightforward as printing a flyer… and posting it on social media. There is a lot of expertise that has to go into ensuring [events] are done… successfully,” he said.

The bill establishes a 13-member board with expertise in areas including finance, marketing, tourism, media and event management, alongside a chief executive officer responsible for day-to-day operations.

Matthew also stressed financial oversight, noting the scale of festival spending. “Carnival… I believe is in the region of $5 to $6 million… it is important that the money is properly accounted for… and properly managed,” he said.

He said the legislation introduces stricter controls, including a dedicated fund, financial controller, and reporting requirements to ensure transparency and accountability.

The commission will also have authority over festival branding and promotion.

“The commission shall be the official body responsible for the organizing, management, promotion and branding of festivals,” Matthew said, adding that no one will be allowed to use official festival branding without permission.

He emphasised the commercial value of intellectual property tied to festivals. “Intellectual property… is a big revenue generator around the world… when you have a successful brand… you do not want it to simply be out there that anyone… can come and use,” he said.

The bill was taken through all stages in the House and passed, clearing the way for the establishment of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission as the central authority for managing the country’s major cultural events.

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