OneRepublic Is Headlining the Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival at Baha Mar This October

Baha Mar’s most ambitious culinary weekend yet has a headline act to match. Grammy-nominated rock band OneRepublic will perform at the Fifth Annual Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival, presented by Scotiabank, on Friday, October 23, 2026, closing out the Taste of Baha Mar welcome party on the Jasmine Lawn with a live set under the stars. The performance caps an evening that begins with walk-around tastings from every signature restaurant in Baha Mar’s dining portfolio and live-action chef stations before handing the night over to one of the most recognizable bands in the world.

Photo Credit: OneRepublic

The festival runs from October 21 through 25, 2026, and its fifth year is its most ambitious. Baha Mar has expanded the programming, deepened its Caribbean identity, and assembled a lineup of culinary talent that spans Michelin-starred kitchens, James Beard-recognized restaurants, Caribbean farm-to-table experiences, and the kind of intimate masterclass access that most food festivals cannot offer.

Photo Credit: The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival

“What began five years ago as an ambitious vision has evolved into a global benchmark for both culinary and artistic excellence,” said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar. “As we celebrate our fifth year, we are thrilled to expand the festival with multiple new itinerary concepts and expanded talent, creating more opportunities than ever before for our most innovative chefs and finest visual artists to come together in seamless dialogue.”

Photo Credit: The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival

The culinary lineup reads like a greatest hits of contemporary American and Caribbean cooking. Daniel Boulud, Marcus Samuelsson, Dario Cecchini, and Scott Conant return as master Baha Mar chefs, joined by a deep roster of debut performers including Amanda Freitag, Maneet Chauhan, Esther Choi, Claudette Zepeda, Buddy Valastro, and Alfredo Villanueva.

Photo Credit: The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival

The festival’s expanded Caribbean identity is most visible in its new additions. Bahamian chef Simeon Hall Jr., Saint Lucia-born Nina Compton, Trinidadian chef Tristen Epps, and Lisa and Chris Binns of Jamaica’s farm-to-table experience Stush in the Bush bring a depth of regional cooking perspective that previous editions have not had. Beverage talent includes cocktail expert Noah Rothbaum, award-winning Bahamian mixologist Marv “Mr. Mixx” Cunningham, and wine authorities Amanda McCrossin, Ken Fredrickson, and Fernando Beteta.

Photo Credit: The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival

Thursday, October 22 opens with Daniel Boulud’s Alumni Dinner, an exclusive multi-course evening in which a group of alumni chefs from Boulud’s global kitchens present a collaborative menu inspired by their shared experience. The night closes with the Nawlins Nightcap with Jon Batiste and Nina Compton at Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club, a tribute to the soulful magic of New Orleans with live music from the Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy-winning Batiste alongside Compère Lapin’s Compton.

Friday, October 23 opens with The Island Table, a brand-new afternoon event hosted by Nina Compton and Tristen Epps celebrating island flavors and Caribbean traditions against sweeping beach views. The evening brings the Taste of Baha Mar Welcome Party to the Jasmine Lawn, with live-action chef stations and inventive cocktails from every restaurant in Baha Mar’s dining portfolio before OneRepublic takes the stage.

Saturday, October 24 delivers the Culinary Expo and FUZE Art Fair, the Tacos and Tequilas Mexican Brunch with Claudette Zepeda and Alfredo Villanueva, the VIBE Dayparty hosted by Marcus Samuelsson alongside Lisa and Chris Binns, and the Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner, a four-course collaborative experience featuring the festival’s full culinary roster, including Boulud, Samuelsson, Cecchini, Conant, Compton, Freitag, Chauhan, Hall, Epps, Zepeda, Valastro, Choi, and the Binns.

Sunday, October 25 brings Maneet Chauhan’s Bollywood and Bubbles Birthday Brunch with Amanda Freitag and sommelier Amanda McCrossin, Whiskey and Wok with Esther Choi and Noah Rothbaum, Sunday in Sicily with Scott Conant, and Chef Simeon’s Sunset BBQ with Marv “Mr. Mixx” Cunningham, the perennial fan favorite that closes the festival every year.

The Masterclass Series, presented by Bon Appétit, runs daily in The Kitchen at Baha Mar, offering hands-on sessions with Daniel Boulud hosting his first masterclass at the festival, Buddy Valastro sharing baking expertise, Amanda Freitag offering an immersive home cook session, and Lisa and Chris Binns hosting a specialized vegan masterclass in Caribbean plant-based cuisine.

Guests can book accommodation-inclusive festival packages combining specialized passes with exclusive room rates across Baha Mar’s three luxury hotels: Rosewood Baha Mar, SLS Baha Mar, and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. The Platinum Weekend Pass includes one hour of early admission and platinum access to the Taste of Baha Mar on October 23, early admission and two-day access to the FUZE Art and Culinary Expo on October 24 and 25, admission to the Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner, and a premium welcome gift bag.

The Gold Weekend Pass includes admission to the Taste of Baha Mar on October 23, two-day access to the FUZE Art and Culinary Expo on October 24 and 25, admission to the Art of the Plate Foundation Dinner, and a curated welcome gift bag. To purchase tickets, book hotel packages, and view festival updates, visit festival.bahamar.com.