The highly anticipated Soul Beach Music Festival (SBMF) made a stunning return in 2025, but this time on a new island. After an iconic run in Aruba, organizers revealed the festival would be moving to St. Maarten. While the 2025 edition faced some logistical challenges, one thing remained clear—the party didn’t stop!
The festival, which had become a staple in Aruba, experienced a shift to St. Maarten after years of being hosted in Aruba, with previous editions leaving fond memories. While many festival-goers wondered where the event would be held, the Caribbean island of St. Maarten was ultimately chosen as the new home for this annual celebration.
Though some attendees noted a lower turnout and expressed concerns about transportation challenges due to event venues being spread across the island, the energy of SBMF 2025 remained strong. Both long-time and first-time attendees embraced the event’s exciting programming, traveling from across the Caribbean and beyond. Travelers from Georgia, Texas, the Carolinas, New York, New Jersey, California, and many other locations made the trip to the island to partake in the festivities.
Festival Highlights
The festivities began on Wednesday evening with a welcome party at Casino Royale, just steps away from the famous Maho Beach. The fun continued with a Thursday beach party hosted by SBMF DJs and the highly anticipated all-white party at Bamboo Beach. Renowned DJ Envy of the Breakfast Club took the stage, keeping the energy high and the crowd moving with his iconic sets.
“Soul Beach in St. Maarten was fun. I had a great time and will definitely be back,” said one festival-goer from New York. “The downside was that everything was spread apart. I missed the vibe at the hotel pools with everyone lounging and having a good time, but overall, it was still a good time.”
The weekend featured beach parties, stand-up performances by comedians Cedric the Entertainer and Pretty Ricki, and musical acts from artists such as Tamillia, Muni Long, and the legendary Charlie Wilson, who performed solo hits and classics from The Gap Band. Hosts for the weekend included comedian Chris Spencer, hip-hop icon Doug E. Fresh, and local media personality Gee Money.
“I don’t think there’s a comparison,” said festival attendee Tiffany Hall of Durham. “Aruba had its own feel because it had been there for so many years. It might take some time before St. Maarten gets on that level, but organizers really put together an incredible experience. All in all, I had a good time!”
While the transition from Aruba to St. Maarten was notable, festival organizers were clear that the shift was part of their commitment to offering fresh experiences each year. According to a source familiar with the selection process, St. Maarten was chosen over other locations like the Cayman Islands and Curacao due to its unique appeal.
“I had a ball,” said a repeat festival-goer on Facebook. “The beaches were beautiful and the weather was mostly great. This was my fifth time in St. Maarten and sixth time at Soul Beach. I’m definitely enjoying the full Soul Beach experience!”
Sunday’s Big Night
One of the festival’s biggest events was the Sunday night party featuring local artists Yemaya and Elona. DJ Outkast took over the turntables, followed by a two-hour set from the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees.
The festival wrapped up on Monday with a “cool down” cruise, offering attendees a relaxing end to the high-energy weekend. The proceeds from the cruise were donated to K1 Brittanica, a charity supporting vulnerable and at-risk youth on the island.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Consquilla Carey from Baltimore. “The transition from Aruba was nice, and it will take some time to rebuild the event. But I’ll continue spreading the word that Soul Beach Music Festival in St. Maarten is the place to be for Memorial Day weekend.”
Organizers are currently soliciting feedback from attendees to help improve future editions of the festival and keep the energy alive in St. Maarten.
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