Friday, April 17, 2026 is deadline for entries in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) 2026 cycle of national competitions — Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, Jamaica Festival Song, and Jamaica Gospel Star.

Despite the challenges faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the island in October last year, there has been an overwhelming demonstration of enthusiasm and resilience by Jamaicans across the country.

Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia Grange noted that the interest that has been shown for these staples on the annual calendar is indeed heartening and is an indicator of the pride of place that these events have in the hearts of Jamaicans.

This undergirded the decision to extend the call for entries to capture individuals who may have been displaced and were not able to meet the previous deadlines.

“The early entries we have received, even in the face of last year’s challenges, demonstrate the resilience and unwavering cultural spirit of our people. These competitions are more than events; they are platforms for national expression and pride. This is a clear answer for those who have ever doubted whether or not we should go ahead with these competitions for 2026. We encourage everyone who wants to enter either the Festival Song, Festival Queen or Gospel Star competitions to take up that opportunity for the 2026 season,” she charged.

Entries are being accepted through the portal at jcdc.awardsplatform.com as the application process is only online

JCDC Executive Director Lenford Salmon outlined that April 17 is the absolute cut-off date as there will be no further extensions.

“After April 17 we cannot accept any further submissions as we need time to administer the competitions. So we encourage all interested persons to get in their entries over the next few days and not wait until the very last minute,” he said.

Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, Jamaica Festival Song, and Jamaica Gospel Star are known for unearthing some of the nation’s most beloved patriotic individuals. Over the years, this competition has seen participants who have made significant contributions to the Jamaican entertainment landscape.