5th Annual Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival Brings Dozens of Cakes From Across the Caribbean to South Florida

From soursop, piña colada and sorrel rum cakes to wine-soaked black cake, the indoor celebration offers a delicious tour of the Caribbean.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, UNITED STATES, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The fifth annual Rum Cake & Caribbean Black Cake Festival will bring bakers representing more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories to The Venue Fort Lauderdale in Wilton Manors on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 2–6 p.m. Guests can sample dozens of cakes alongside Caribbean spirits, cuisine, performances and holiday shopping.
Presented by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum and Caribbean Professionals Network, and sponsored by the Broward County Cultural Division and The Venue Fort Lauderdale, the indoor celebration is expected to welcome more than 1,000 guests.

Family Recipes Meet Inventive New Flavors
The festival's signature Hall of Bakers, presented by Visit Barbados, showcases baking traditions from more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories, including smaller destinations such as Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as mainland Caribbean countries including Belize, Guyana and Suriname.

Guests can compare golden butter rum cakes flavored with coconut, pumpkin spice or bourbon with dark, fruit-rich black cakes shaped by generations of family recipes. In Guyana, for example, recipes may incorporate preserved star fruit, while others across the Caribbean feature cherry brandy, stout, rum, wine and spices.

“With bakers curated by our production partner Caribbean Professionals Network, we've made a deliberate effort to make this the broadest Caribbean representation in the festival's history,” said Calibe Thompson, executive director of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum. “Whether you grew up with these traditions or are discovering them for the first time, we want you to learn, explore, indulge and enjoy. You can discover something about your Caribbean neighbors, try flavors from places you've never visited and perhaps find inspiration for your next Caribbean vacation.”
Guests may also meet Caribbean destination representatives and learn about opportunities to explore the region firsthand.

Caribbean Cuisine, Spirits and Holiday Shopping
The curated Food Court features Soups of the Caribbean, Creole Island Rolls, Chef Paul's Macaroni Boss Bar and Grilled Stuffed Lobster, with additional regional dishes available for purchase.

For adults 21 and older, the premium Rum Room Experience offers tastings from six featured brands curated by Coconuts & Cocktails: Travellers One Barrel Rum and Cuello's Caribbean Rum from Belize, El Dorado Rum from Guyana, Mighty Sparrow XO Trinidad Spiced Rum, Melky Jean's Saint Sauveur 1972 Haitian Heritage Rum and Pòtieri's Caribbean-inspired passion fruit cocktail.

The Caribbean Holiday Marketplace features gifts, art and specialty products.

Caribbean Holiday Traditions Take the Stage
The cultural program features Jamaican Jonkonnu by Brukins Entertainment, Bahamian Junkanoo by Island Groove Entertainment and Puerto Rican bomba and plena performed by Sikan Afro-Cuban Dance Project. Haitian Fanal lantern-making and St. Lucian Festival of Lights activities add another dimension to the celebration.

Host Raul Blaze leads the afternoon's music, trivia, giveaways and audience activities, joined by DJ Bigg G, Melo Groove Steel Orchestra and Bootleg Greg for a rum demonstration.

“Having hosted and performed at so many Caribbean events over the years, one thing I've always appreciated is how much we have in common despite our cultural differences,” said Blaze. “What excites me most about this festival is the opportunity to celebrate that distinctiveness through something as simple and meaningful as food. I want people to come, laugh, learn something about each other's cultures, and leave feeling a little more connected.”

From 25 Guests to More Than 1,000
The South Florida staging of the festival was launched in 2022 with 25 guests at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum. The festival drew approximately 700 in 2025 and expects more than 1,000 this year.

Event Details
When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, 2–6 p.m.
Where: The Venue Fort Lauderdale, 2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
General admission: $30 through Nov. 14; $40 at the door
Children: Ages 4–12, $10; ages 3 and younger, free
Rum Room: $75 through Nov. 14; $85 at the door; ages 21 and older; includes general admission
Tickets: islandspacefl.org/cakefest26

About the Presenters
Island SPACE Caribbean Museum is a program of the nonprofit Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education, dedicated to preserving and sharing Caribbean history, art and culture through exhibitions, education and community events.

Caribbean Professionals Network connects Caribbean professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders through networking, education, cultural events and professional exchange.

Yvette Harris
Island SPACE Caribbean Museum
+1 954-999-0989
museum@islandspacefl.org
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South Florida Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Festival Promo