The Caribbean is setting the soundtrack for summer and beyond. From chart-climbing dancehall anthems to soca favorites and reggae classics, artists throughout the region are making major moves. Trending With Ms Tre is keeping you updated on the biggest stories, hottest tracks, and must-watch talent creating buzz across the islands and around the globe. Welcome to your Caribbean music destination.

The countdown is officially on—less than 24 hours stand between you and one of Miami’s most electric cultural experiences: Food, Wine & Fete at The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
If you know, you know. And if you don’t… you’re about to find out why this event is a staple on the Caribbean party calendar.

A Flavor-Packed Celebration of Culture
Food, Wine & Fete isn’t just an event—it’s an immersive experience where Caribbean cuisine, premium drinks, and high-energy music collide. From the moment you step onto the beach, you’re met with the irresistible aroma of island dishes, curated cocktails in hand, and a crowd that came to vibe.

Expect:
Endless food tastings inspired by Caribbean flavors
Top-tier wines, spirits, and creative cocktails
A beachside atmosphere that blends elegance with pure fete energy
Live Culinary Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss 👨‍🍳🔥

​Memorial Day Weekend is more than the unofficial start of summer — it’s the moment the culture shifts into full celebration mode. From Atlanta’s packed festival calendar and nightlife takeovers to South Florida’s beach parties, concerts, and Caribbean-inspired experiences, the holiday weekend brings together music lovers, foodies, travelers, and culture seekers ready to make unforgettable memories. Across the U.S. and internationally, cities and islands are turning up the energy with carnivals, music festivals, all-white affairs, rooftop events, and destination escapes that make Memorial Day Weekend one of the biggest weekends of the season.

Caribbean culture will once again take center stage this Memorial Day Weekend with a lineup of events celebrating soca, dancehall, reggae, Afrobeats, and island traditions. In Atlanta, the energy will be unmatched as the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival takes over Downtown Atlanta with vibrant costumes, music trucks, cultural showcases, and nonstop island vibes. Orlando will also bring the Caribbean spirit alive during the Orlando Caribbean Carnival in Downtown Orlando, attracting masqueraders, DJs, and carnival lovers from across the country for a weekend full of soca and celebration.

Atlanta’s reggae and dancehall scene will also be on full display during Reggae Fest Massive ATL at State Farm Arena, featuring a stacked lineup including Mavado, Busy Signal, Spice, Ding Dong and more. The highly anticipated event is expected to bring thousands of reggae and dancehall fans together for an unforgettable night of Caribbean music and high-energy performances during one of the biggest weekends in the city.

South Florida will continue to be a major destination for Memorial Day Weekend events with dancehall and reggae fans heading to Reggae Fest Presents Alkaline in Miami for an unforgettable night of performances and island energy. Food lovers can also experience one of the most talked-about culinary events of the weekend at The Oxtail Off, where chefs and food vendors battle it out serving creative and flavorful takes on a Caribbean favorite. Closing out the weekend, music fans will gather for the legendary Best of the Best festival, bringing together major reggae, dancehall, soca, and hip-hop artists for one of the biggest Caribbean music events in the country.

Back in Atlanta, the celebrations continue with experiences designed for both partygoers and culture lovers. Daybreak Atlanta is expected to deliver one of the hottest party atmospheres of the weekend with music, high energy, and unforgettable vibes, while Brunch and Soca Atlanta combines Caribbean flavors, premium brunch experiences, and nonstop soca music into the perfect daytime celebration.

Whether you’re outside for carnival festivities, enjoying Caribbean cuisine, dancing to soca and dancehall, or traveling for a weekend escape, Memorial Day Weekend 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest cultural celebrations of the summer. This guide highlights the can’t-miss events happening across Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and beyond — giving you the ultimate lineup for an unforgettable holiday weekend.

Atlanta is about to transform into a nonstop celebration of Caribbean culture, music, fashion, food, and energy as the highly anticipated Atlanta Caribbean Carnival returns Memorial Day Weekend. From colorful masqueraders dancing through Downtown Atlanta to the sounds of Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, and Afrobeats taking over the city, Carnival weekend is one of the biggest cultural celebrations in the South.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned masquerader, Atlanta Carnival weekend delivers an unforgettable experience packed with high-energy fetes, live performances, J’ouvert celebrations, food vendors, costume showcases, and the iconic Parade of Bands. Thousands of people from across the Caribbean diaspora and beyond travel to Atlanta every year to celebrate culture, heritage, and community in true Carnival fashion.

The centerpiece of the weekend is the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Parade & Festival Village taking place Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Rodney Cook Sr. Park and throughout Downtown Atlanta. Expect vibrant costumes designed by mas bands from across the U.S. and the Caribbean, music trucks pumping nonstop Soca vibes, cultural performances, Caribbean cuisine, and an atmosphere filled with pure energy and celebration. Official organizers note this year marks another major celebration of Caribbean heritage in the city. 

Carnival season in Atlanta has grown into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural weekends, bringing together Trinidadian, Jamaican, Haitian, Guyanese, Bahamian, Dominican, and many more Caribbean communities for a weekend that feels like a true island escape right in the heart of Atlanta. 

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Weekend Schedule
Friday, May 22 – J’ouvert Celebration Kick off
Carnival weekend with paint, powder, music, and nonstop vibes at the official Atlanta Caribbean Carnival J’ouvert celebration. This late-night experience brings revelers together for one of Carnival culture’s most energetic traditions.
📍 Underground Atlanta
🕕 6 PM – 1 AM
 
Saturday, May 23 – Parade of Bands & Festival Village
The main event takes over Downtown Atlanta as masqueraders flood the streets in elaborate costumes while DJs and music trucks keep the energy high all day long.
📍 Parade Route: Peachtree Street → Ivan Allen Jr Blvd → Joseph E. Boone Blvd → Rodney Cook Sr. Park
🕙 Festival Hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
🕛 Parade: 12 PM – 4 PM

Saturday Night – Official Carnival After Parties
Once the parade ends, the vibes continue throughout Atlanta with official after parties, Soca events, and Dancehall experiences happening across the city. One featured event already announced is the “Soca Meets Dancehall” after-party taking place Saturday night. ()

​Additional Carnival Weekend Events Carnival-goers can also expect:

• Costume showcases & mas band meetups
• Caribbean food vendors
• Live performances from Caribbean artists & DJs
• Cultural showcases
• Late-night fetes and themed parties
• Festival Village entertainment throughout the weekend

​For official updates, tickets, and event announcements visit the official Atlanta Caribbean Carnival website:
https://www.atlantacarnival.org/ 

Atlanta Carnival weekend is more than just a party — it’s a celebration of Caribbean identity, creativity, music, and community. Whether you’re hitting the road with a mas band, enjoying authentic island food, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, expect one of the livest weekends Atlanta has to offer this spring.

Miami is about to turn all the way up. In just 30 days, the highly anticipated returns to the sands of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park on Saturday, May 16, bringing together Caribbean culture, cuisine, music, and vibes for one unforgettable night.

Now entering its fourth year, Food, Wine & Fete has evolved into one of the most talked-about Caribbean lifestyle events in South Florida — blending premium food experiences, island tourism activations, world-class Soca energy, and immersive cultural storytelling into one all-inclusive beachfront celebration. According to organizers Vanessa James Media Productions, the 2026 edition will be its “most curated immersive Caribbean experience yet.”

Your Passport to the Caribbean
This year’s event is taking guests on a culinary and cultural journey across the Caribbean with destination experiences featuring Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, St. Martin/Sint Maarten, and Nevis. Festival organizers are leaning deeper into authentic island storytelling, transforming the venue into a vibrant passport through Caribbean heritage, flavors, and Carnival spirit.
​
One of the standout activations for 2026 will be the Pure Grenada experience, complete with Jab Jab culture, a traditional rum shack powered by Clarke’s Court Rum, and an official countdown to SpiceMas Carnival. Guests will also experience live performances from Grenadian Soca sensation V'ghn, whose hits have been making waves throughout the diaspora this Carnival season.

Caribbean Culinary Excellence Takes Center Stage
Foodies can expect an elevated culinary lineup featuring some of the Caribbean diaspora’s most respected chefs and culinary creatives. Returning favorites and new talent will showcase island-inspired dishes, live cooking demonstrations, fusion concepts, artisanal desserts, and signature cocktails throughout the evening.

Featured chefs include:

• Chef Garfield Seivwright Jr.
• Chef Irie
• Chef Alain Lemaire
• Chef Paul Griffith
• Chef Mimi Charles

Guests can also discover emerging Caribbean brands, unique spirits, craft sauces, Trinidadian-style ice cream, and Caribbean-inspired street food concepts throughout the festival grounds.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend in Miami, Motherhood & Mimosas: She Is Everything is the place to be. Hosted by Trina and The Diamond Doll Foundation, this event brings together powerful women for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

From a curated gourmet brunch to meaningful conversations during the panel discussion, the event highlights what it truly means to be a woman balancing life, business, and motherhood.

This year’s honorees are nothing short of amazing, featuring women making waves in their industries:

• Yung Miami
• Da Brat & Jesseca Dupart-Harris
• Neri Santiago
• Jill Strada
• Cris Cavallari
• Simone King
• Barbara Sweet-Kerr
• Sevyn Buffins
• Dr. Rashae Barnes
• Dr. Amira Ogunleye
• Shannon Haynes
• Tawanda Roberts
• Aleesha Carter
• Ty Johnston
• Angelica Whaley

Whether you’re attending with your mom, your girls, or just looking for a space to be inspired—this event is all about celebrating her in every form.

March is Women’s History Month, and this month Trending With Ms Tre is proudly celebrating the women shaping the sound, soul, and global influence of Caribbean music.

From reggae, soca, dancehall, kompa, zouk, calypso, and Afrobeat-inspired island rhythms—Caribbean women have always been cultural architects. They are the storytellers, innovators, producers, DJs, and executives pushing boundaries while preserving tradition.

Throughout March, we’re spotlighting women from every Caribbean country, honoring both legendary icons and emerging voices. Along the way, we’re highlighting new releases, fresh music, brand-new music videos, and major accomplishments that showcase how Caribbean women continue to elevate the industry in real time.

Expect exclusive features, curated playlists, artist highlights, and moments that amplify women whose contributions deserve center stage—not just this month, but always.
​
Because Caribbean women in music don’t follow trends.
They create them.
​
— TWMT

​NAACP announced the full list of “57th NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan, and Teyana Taylor nominated for Entertainer of the Year. Select categories will be revealed during the two-hour LIVE TV special, airing Saturday, February 28, 2026, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, at 8 PM ET/8 PM PT on BET and will simulcast on CBS Television Network. This year’s theme is “We See You.”

Sinners leads in motion picture categories with 18 nods, followed by Highest 2 Lowest with nine nominations. Bel-Air leads across the television categories with seven nominations, followed by Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, and Ruth & Boaz with six nominations each, and Forever with five nominations. Netflix also leads with an impressive 47 nominations.

Teyana Taylor leads nominations in multiple categories with a total six nominations – including Entertainer of the Year, her roles in One Battle After Another and Tyler Perry’s Straw, and for her album Escape Room. Cynthia Erivo earned four nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and recognition for her role in Wicked: For Good.

Kendrick Lamar received the most nominations in the music recording categories, earning six nominations, while Cardi B. and Leon Thomas received four nominations each, followed closely by Doechii and Teyana Taylor, both earning three nods. RCA Records received eight nominations, the most across record labels. HarperCollins leads nominations across literary categories with eight nominations, followed by Penguin Random House with six nominations.

This year, NAACP is introducing two new categories: Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism, recognizing excellence in nationally distributed journalism that informs, uplifts, and authentically reflects on experiences, issues, or perspectives significantly affecting the Black community, or U.S. national affairs through a lens of racial equity, social justice, or community impact; and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special, honoring excellence in post-production editing that enhances storytelling, strengthens narrative flow, and amplifies emotional impact.

Nominations were announced today live on CBS Mornings by the “57th NAACP Image Awards” host Deon Cole and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and on YouTube/NAACPPlus by Gail Bean and Marcel Spears.

“The NAACP Image Awards is our declaration to our community that “We See You,” affirming Black creativity, excellence, and humanity across every space where our stories are told,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “From film, television, and music to literature and beyond, the voices of all of our nominees tell stories that honor our past, celebrate our identity, and remind us that storytelling has the power to move culture forward.”

“The NAACP Image Award nominations underscore what we’ve always known to be true – our people are the heartbeat of culture,” said Louis Carr, President of BET. “Their creativity, excellence, and commitment to telling our stories with authenticity and purpose continue to set the standard. We’re honored to stand alongside the NAACP in celebrating the voices and visionaries who move our culture forward.”

By visiting www.naacpimageawards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the “57th NAACP Image Awards” in select categories. Voting closes on February 7, 2026, at 12:00 midnight (ET). Winners will be revealed during the “57th NAACP Image Awards” telecast on Saturday, February 28 live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, on BET. NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories at the “57th NAACP Image Awards” Creative Honors Thursday, February 26 and virtually on YouTube/NAACPPlus Monday, February 23-Wednesday, February 25.

For information and updates, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards and visit www.bet.com/naacp-image-awards.

January 2026 arrives with a quiet invitation—not to rush, not to overcommit, but to reset with intention. The beginning of a new year isn’t about immediate perfection; it’s about laying a foundation that supports both your personal well-being and professional growth. This season is your opportunity to reflect on what worked, release what didn’t, and move forward with clarity.

Here are 20 intentional ways to kick off January 2026 personally and professionally:

• Set one personal intention that grounds you
• Identify one professional goal that stretches you
• Reflect honestly on lessons from 2025
• Release habits, relationships, or routines that drained you
• Refresh your morning or evening routine
• Clean up your physical and digital spaces
• Revisit your “why” and realign with purpose
• Set realistic goals for Q1
• Schedule rest as intentionally as work
• Create boundaries around your time and energy
• Invest in one skill or area of growth
• Reconnect with mentors, collaborators, or peers
• Update your brand, resume, or media presence
• Track progress weekly without pressure
• Choose consistency over perfection
• Protect your peace unapologetically
• Practice gratitude daily
• Celebrate small wins along the way
• Stay aligned instead of overbooked
• Move forward with confidence and grace

 
January is not about rushing into the year—it’s about building something sustainable that lasts.

​We’re sliding into the last half of October, and if you’ve been thinking about getting out and enjoying yourself — this is your sign! The city (and beyond) is packed with music, food, and culture to close out the month right.
​
October 17: Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton bring the soul to Atlanta for a powerful live show that kicks off the weekend right.
October 18: The flavor takes over — Smorgasburg Atlanta hits downtown, the Atlanta Mimosa Festival pours up bubbly energy, and Taste of Chamblee celebrates food and community.
October 21: ATL celebrates legacy with The Saviors of the South: The Dungeon Family Screening, while Miami Fashion Week kicks off in Miami (Oct 21–26) spotlighting top designers and trends.
October 22–26: South Beach Seafood Festival brings the heat and coastal bites to Miami Beach.
October 24: Praise In The Park fills the air with joy and gospel sounds in Atlanta.
October 25: The city stays lit with One Music Fest weekend, plus BET Presents We Got You Sis hosted by LeToya Luckett — a celebration of sisterhood, empowerment, and culture.
October 26: Keep the weekend vibes rolling with Bamba Sunday in ATL — the ultimate Afrobeat day party — and more One Music Fest performances.
October 27–31: Round out the month at AfroTech Conference in Austin, Texas — where culture meets innovation and Black excellence takes the stage.
​
There’s no better time to explore, connect, and celebrate — October’s still outside, so make the most of it!