The Celebration of Life for the late Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow, will take place next Friday, October 16th, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), with two public viewings in North and South Trinidad scheduled for earlier in the week.
A statement from the Ministry of Culture and Community Development on Friday confirmed that there will be public viewings at two locations ahead of Friday’s funeral.
The late Mighty Sparrow will lie in repose for public viewing from 10am to 6pm at the following locations:
- Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) on October 13th, 2026; and
- National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on October 14th, 2026.
At the request of the Francisco Family, members of the public are respectfully asked NOT to take photographs or record videos at the public viewings during the lying in repose.
Further, the Ministry said the Celebration of The Mighty Sparrow’s Life on Friday, October 16th, will include a procession and tribute programme. This date was selected to accommodate the availability of the Francisco Family and specially invited guests, in line with the travel arrangements necessary for their attendance.
The funeral procession on Friday will begin at 10am at Independence Square and proceed along Frederick Street, Port of Spain, in three stages:
- Independence Square: The National Farewell.
- Frederick Street: The People’s and Cultural Farewell.
- NAPA: The Ceremonial Farewell.
The Ministry said the procession will allow citizens to pay their respects, with participation from national schools and representatives of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and cultural industries. Selected recordings from the late Mighty Sparrow’s extensive body of work will form part of the procession.
The tribute programme will then take place at NAPA from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Cultural elements will include steel orchestras, moko jumbies, traditional masquerade, various cultural performers and other tribute installations.
The Ministry said arrangements are being made for members of the public to view the Celebration of Life at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, and further logistical details will be provided later.
Members of the public are reminded that they can visit the Ministry’s website at mccd.gov.tt to sign the virtual condolence book or visit any of the following locations until October 15th, 2026, between 10am and 4pm:
- Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Level 8, Tower C, International Waterfront Complex;
- NAPA – until October 14th, 2026;
- SAPA;
- Shaw Park Complex, Tobago;
- All 14 Municipal Corporation Head Offices across Trinidad; and
- Missions in New York, Miami, London, Washington and Toronto.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development said the Government remains committed to ensuring that the Mighty Sparrow is accorded a dignified farewell. As such, it continues to work closely with the Francisco family and a coordinating team comprising Mr Carl Beaver Henderson, Ms Michelle Hart, Simpsons Memorial Ltd and other Government officials to finalise arrangements and provide the necessary support.
Minister Michelle Benjamin also continues to host planning meetings with representatives of the Francisco family and the coordinating team, including those held at NAPA on October 2nd and 7th, 2026, guided by Ms Andria Narinesingh, M.O.M., Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs. These planning meetings cover all details relating to the Celebration of Life programme, ceremonial arrangements, public participation, cultural presentations, transportation, protocol, communications, security and other logistical requirements.
A technical planning meeting was held at NAPA on October 8th, 2026, chaired by Mr Kenny Phillips, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAPA, to address the technical requirements and coordination efforts for the Celebration of Life. Additionally, a security meeting was held today, Friday, October 9th, 2026, at NAPA, with representatives of various local armed forces and officials addressing security arrangements and safety measures for the procession and Celebration of Life.
Additional details will be shared with the public as arrangements are confirmed.