Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, 28th July 2026 – A headline performance by Puerto Rican  singer Pedro Capó helped draw record crowds to the 14th annual Xmas in July, as more than 7,000  patrons and 560 boats converged on Pond Bay, Virgin Gorda, for the British Virgin Islands’  signature marine summer celebration.

Presented by Wally Castro Marine and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film  Commission (BVITBFC), the event also introduced a new initiative of official stops across the  Territory, encouraging visitors to extend their stay and explore more of the destination before and  after the celebration.

Addressing attendees, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley,  highlighted the event’s significance to the Virgin Islands economy and its enduring ties with Puerto  Rico.

“Xmas in July has become one of the most important dates on our summer calendar. This event  brings millions of dollars into the Territory, and that money reaches our people directly: our  marinas, our restaurants, our taxi and ferry operators, our shops and our local businesses across  Virgin Gorda and throughout the Virgin Islands. It is also a celebration of the friendship between  the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which remains one of our strongest bonds in the region.” 

Beyond its tourism and economic benefits, Xmas in July continues to support community and  environmental initiatives through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and  sustainability programmes.

Event organizer Wally Castro welcomed the strong turnout and reflected on the event’s continued  growth.

“We are very happy with the response that attendees have given us this year. Xmas in July has  been held on the islands for years now and is the pioneer end-of-summer event in the Caribbean.  Besides music, beach and entertainment, our event has a positive impact on the economy,  environment and the nautical industry both in the islands and in Puerto Rico.”

The event’s impact extends well beyond the festivities at Pond Bay, with many visitors arriving  days in advance or remaining in the Territory afterwards. Hundreds of vessels travelled from  Puerto Rico, while additional guests arrived by commercial airlines, private charters and locally  based yacht charter companies. Throughout their stay, visitors supported marinas,  accommodations, restaurants, supermarkets, retail businesses, and land and water transportation  providers across the Territory.

For the first time, Xmas in July opened with a showcase of emerging local talent. Tortola-based  youth band Unique Fuzions Odyssey (UFO), whose members range in age from 16 to 20, opened  the programme, followed by Tortola favourites Final Faze and Puerto Rico’s Maeso y su Orquesta.  Pedro Capó headlined the afternoon performances, with La Vecina and DJ Opio keeping the  celebration going throughout the day. Ronny Campos of Magic 97.3 FM hosted the event  alongside influencer Marena Sofía.

The newly introduced Official Stops programme invited visitors to experience the destination  beyond the main event. Participating restaurants, hotels, resorts and marinas hosted themed  Christmas experiences while offering special menus, rates and promotions. Guests collected  commemorative stickers at each location and participated in a social media contest for a chance to  win a return trip to the British Virgin Islands in 2027.

Participating Official Stops included Pusser’s West End, Hendo’s Hideout, Omar’s Coffee House,  Lobster Trap, Loose Mongoose, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Willy T, Leverick Bay Resort  & Marina, Biras Creek Resort, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Top of the Baths, Oil Nut Bay, Bitter  End Yacht Club and Saba Rock Resort.

Xmas in July also continued its commitment to environmental stewardship by maintaining its ban  on single-use plastics and promoting the sale of official reusable tumblers. A portion of the  proceeds from tumbler sales will be donated to Beyond the Reef, a British Virgin Islands nonprofit  organization dedicated to marine environmental education and conservation.

Attendees also enjoyed food prepared by St. Ursula’s Catholic Church, Valley Sound Lions Club,  Pizza on the Pier and Winnie’s Steakhouse, while VI Ink provided tattoo services throughout the  event.

In addition to Wally Castro Marine and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film  Commission, sponsors of Xmas in July 2026 included Magic 97.3 FM, 1800 Tequila, Nova Derm,  Heineken, Bmedia, Benítez Aviation, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Ron Capó Aged Rum, PAMA,  Jack Daniel’s, Bohlke Aviation, Boston Whaler, Riviera, Smith, Costazul, Target, White Claw  Hard Seltzer, Ewa, Ponce Health Sciences University, Popular Auto, Smirnoff Ice, YAC, Music  Wave, Locmarine Boat Security and Monitoring, García Céspedes Insurance, LaCroix, PRFoam by Design, Ford Fajardo, Azul Marine Lending, Marine Division by Kitchens & More, Malibu,  LUCKY Energy, Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, The Moorings, Rosewood  Little Dix Bay, Peter Island Resort, Beyond the Reef, La Roche-Posay and Pedialyte.

The event also featured collaborations from Salt Vice, No Me Jodan Club, Nyammin’, Re.vive  Recovery Wellness Studio and VI Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio. 

About the British Virgin Islands 

Known as a treasured destination rich in undiscovered experiences, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is an alluring  archipelago comprising 60 islands and cays located in the northeastern region of the Caribbean Sea. With plentiful  private villas and luxury boutique resorts, there is no shortage of accommodations from which to choose, whether  for leisure or MICE (meetings, events, and incentives) travel. The BVI has long been celebrated as the sailing capital  of the world, thanks to its line-of-sight navigation, wide range of charter options—including bareboat, crewed,  powered, and traditional hoisted sail—and wealth of experiences tailored to yacht enthusiasts. Reflecting this  legacy, the destination holds official trademarks as The British Virgin Islands – Sailing Capital of the World™,  British Virgin Islands – The Undisputed Sailing Capital of the Caribbean™, and The British Virgin Islands – Sailing  Capital of the Caribbean™. The destination’s unparalleled offerings continue to garner global recognition. Recent  accolades include making The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2025” list, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke  being named among the “Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas” in Travel + Leisure’s 2025  World’s Best Awards, being named as the “Hottest Destination of 2025” in Modern Luxury’s 2025 Best of Luxury  Travel Awards and consistently ranking among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean,”  including #2 for 2021-2022. For more information on how to experience the BVI, visit the British Virgin Islands  Tourist Board & Film Commission website at www.bvitourism.com or contact 1-800-835-8530.