Sri Lanka is poised to make cultural history as it prepares to host South Asia’s first ever Reggae Music Festival, One Love 2026 A Tribute to Bob Marley, from 27 to 29 March 2026 on the golden shores of Bentota. The three-day beachfront festival promises to bring the spirit, soul, and global legacy of reggae music to the region on an unprecedented scale, positioning Sri Lanka firmly on the international music and cultural tourism map.
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The historic announcement was made at a high-profile press conference held at NUWA Sri Lanka, Colombo’s newest ultra luxury lifestyle and entertainment destination. Media, industry leaders, diplomats, and cultural figures gathered to mark the beginning of what organizers described as a defining moment for live music and cultural exchange in South Asia. Scheduled to take place from 6.00 p.m. onwards each evening, One Love 2026 will celebrate reggae not only as a genre of music, but as a global movement rooted in peace, unity, and social consciousness. Set against the scenic coastline of Bentota, the festival is expected to attract thousands of local fans alongside international visitors from India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Europe, and beyond, many of whom will be drawn to Sri Lanka’s tropical warmth during the Northern Hemisphere winter. At the heart of the festival is an extraordinary lineup of internationally acclaimed reggae icons, representing the largest gathering of global reggae talent ever seen in Asia and the Pacific.
The six headline artists announced for One Love 2026 are Maxi Priest, widely known as the Prince of Reggae, the legendary band The Wailers, Julian Marley and Ky Mani Marley, sons of the iconic Bob Marley, Inner Circle, and Big Mountain. Together, these artists span generations of reggae music and embody its evolution from roots reggae to contemporary global influence. The festival will also feature four international DJs, adding further depth and energy to the programme, while ensuring a dynamic and immersive musical experience across all three nights. Each evening will be anchored by two major headline performances. On 27 March, audiences will witness performances by The Wailers and Maxi Priest.
The second night on 28 March will feature Inner Circle and Big Mountain, while the final night on 29 March will culminate in performances by Julian Marley and Ky Mani Marley, delivering a powerful tribute to their father’s enduring legacy. Adding to the cultural significance of the event, Kingsley Ben Adir, the lead actor of the 2024 musical drama One Love, and the film’s director Reinaldo Marcus Green are also expected to attend the festival. Their presence further reinforces the global relevance of the event and its connection to the cinematic retelling of Bob Marley’s life and message. Reggae music has long held a special place in Sri Lanka’s popular culture, with generations of fans embracing its rhythms, lyrics, and philosophy.
From beachside gatherings to radio playlists, reggae has found a natural home on the island, making Sri Lanka a fitting host for South Asia’s first festival dedicated entirely to the genre. Organizers expect the festival to resonate deeply with local audiences while introducing international visitors to Sri Lanka’s vibrant cultural scene. One Love 2026 is organized by Sri Lankan owned One In A Million Entertainment Ltd., a company headquartered in Europe and Colombo, in collaboration with Caribbean Entertainment. The organizers bring with them a strong legacy of hosting major international artists in Sri Lanka, having previously brought global stars such as Shaggy, Diana King, Maxi Priest, and Big Mountain to local audiences.
With One Love 2026, the organizers aim to elevate Sri Lanka’s profile as a destination capable of hosting world class music festivals on a global scale. The festival also carries deep emotional and cultural symbolism, aligning closely with the celebration of what would have been Bob Marley’s 81st birthday on 6 February. As one of the most influential musicians of all time, Bob Marley’s music transcended borders, cultures, and generations, carrying messages of peace, resistance, and universal love. One Love 2026 seeks to honour that legacy while introducing it to new audiences across South Asia. Tickets for the festival have been structured to ensure accessibility while also offering premium experiences. Normal tickets are priced at Rs. 10,000 per day, while VIP tickets are available at Rs. 50,000 per day. For reggae enthusiasts wishing to experience the full three-day celebration, Early Bird Festival Passes are available at Rs. 25,000 for normal access and Rs. 125,000 for VIP access. Tickets will be sold exclusively via the PickMe Events platform. Beyond entertainment, One Love 2026 places strong emphasis on social responsibility and giving back.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to children’s orphanages through a water purification project carried out by the Indian Cultural Association in Sri Lanka. In addition, the festival is working in collaboration with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation to support its ongoing charitable activities in Jamaica, further extending the festival’s impact beyond borders. The scale of the event is reflected in the logistics behind it. An international artist delegation of approximately 70 members, including performers, production teams, and support staff, will travel to Sri Lanka for the festival. This delegation will be hosted at NUWA Sri Lanka, reinforcing Colombo’s growing reputation as a luxury hospitality and entertainment hub capable of accommodating global events of this magnitude. NUWA Sri Lanka is part of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, and has rapidly established itself as a premier destination for high end leisure, lifestyle, and entertainment experiences. Its role as host venue for the festival’s international artists underscores the confidence placed in Sri Lanka’s hospitality infrastructure. Speaking at the press conference, Michael Habashi, Vice President and Property General Manager of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, highlighted the significance of the partnership. He said that City of Dreams Sri Lanka is proud to be the hospitality partner of South Asia’s first Reggae Festival and sees it as a milestone for Colombo’s evolution as an entertainment capital. He noted that welcoming worldrenowned reggae legends aligns with the property’s mission to strengthen the city’s cultural and artistic fabric, support the creative industries, and bring globally iconic experiences to Sri Lanka. Industry observers believe that One Love 2026 could mark a turning point for Sri Lanka’s live entertainment and festival tourism sector.
With its combination of international star power, beachfront setting, and cultural depth, the festival is expected to generate significant economic activity while enhancing Sri Lanka’s global visibility as a destination for music, culture, and lifestyle travel. As Sri Lanka continues its post pandemic tourism recovery, events of this scale play a crucial role in attracting new visitor segments and extending the country’s appeal beyond traditional travel offerings. One Love 2026 not only celebrates reggae music but also positions Sri Lanka as a meeting point for cultures, ideas, and creative expression. With anticipation building both locally and internationally, One Love 2026 is set to be more than a music festival. It is a celebration of unity, heritage, and global connection, echoing Bob Marley’s timeless message of peace and togetherness against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s iconic coastline. As Bentota prepares to welcome reggae legends and fans from around the world, Sri Lanka stands ready to make history.
