Get Lit (and a Little Tipsy) at the Caribbean Rum Cake & Black Cake Fest — Broward’s Sweetest Party with a Purpose
- Evan Snow
- Nov 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 10
If you know, you know: the smell of rum-soaked fruitcake drifting through the air means the holidays are coming — Caribbean style.
By Choose954 | November 2025
And this November, that irresistible aroma is taking over Broward once again as Island SPACE Caribbean Museum brings back one of South Florida’s most delicious cultural traditions: the fourth annual Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Fest, happening Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Volunteer Park Community Center in Plantation (12050 W. Sunrise Blvd).
This isn’t your grandma’s bake sale. It’s part island fête, part flavor showdown, and part love letter to Caribbean heritage — spiked, spiced, and soaked in good vibes. Whether you grew up sneaking slices of Auntie’s black cake at Christmas or just love any excuse to sip rum and dance in the sunshine, this Broward favorite hits that sweet spot between culture, community, and serious island energy.
What’s the Rum Cake & Black Cake Fest All About?
Think of it as Broward’s most joyful (and tastiest) cultural mash-up. The Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Fest is the ultimate tribute to Caribbean baking traditions that stretch across generations and islands — from Jamaica to Grenada, Trinidad to St. Kitts, Barbados to Belize.
At its heart, this event is about two legendary desserts that mean everything to Caribbean families:
Rum Cake: That buttery, boozy island dessert that sneaks up on you with its sweet kick.
Black Cake: A dark, rich, spiced fruitcake made with dried fruit soaked in rum for months (sometimes years).
These cakes aren’t just dessert — they’re symbols of love, unity, and island pride. And at the Fest, you get to taste them all.
The 2025 Glow-Up: Enter “The Rum Room”
This year’s event isn’t just bigger — it’s bolder, buzzier, and a little more spirited. For the first time ever, pre-sold ticket holders get access to the exclusive “Rum Room”, a 21+ tasting experience that’s giving “Caribbean speakeasy” energy.
Picture it: you step into a lush, island-inspired lounge where mixologists and rum connoisseurs guide you through tastings of Caribbean rums and liqueurs.
There are five tasting sessions (2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m.) — but here’s the catch — you gotta book in advance. No walk-ups allowed.
The Rum Room is pure Caribbean luxury — smooth, golden, and guaranteed to transport you straight to the islands without ever leaving Plantation.
The Vibe: A Little Bit Broward, A Whole Lot Caribbean
When people talk about Broward’s cultural scene, events like this are what they mean. It’s not just a festival; it’s a vibe — a melting pot of food, music, and color that captures what makes our community so special.
Expect a mix of holiday spirit meets island carnival. You’ll hear steel drums, soca beats, reggae classics, and that unmistakable hum of laughter and chatter that happens when Broward’s Caribbean family shows up and shows out.
There’s a Caribbean holiday marketplace filled with artisans, handmade gifts, and island-inspired goods — think local jewelry, festive decor, and maybe a few bottles of homemade sorrel or ginger beer to take home.
Plus, there’ll be traditional performances representing cultures from across the Caribbean. Dancers in bright costumes, live drummers, maybe even a few impromptu conga lines (it is Broward, after all).
By sunset, the air smells like nutmeg, allspice, and nostalgia — and the crowd?
A perfect mix of longtime islanders, proud Broward locals, foodies, culture lovers, and anyone who knows good rum when they taste it.
Why It Matters: Broward’s Caribbean Heartbeat
Here’s the thing — Broward isn’t just beaches and brunches (though we love those too). It’s home to one of the most vibrant Caribbean communities in the country. And Island SPACE Caribbean Museum — based at the Broward Mall — has been doing the work to make sure those stories, traditions, and cultural touchpoints don’t just survive, but thrive.
This festival is their sweet way of bringing everyone together — across islands, neighborhoods, and generations. And this year, it’s about more than cake.
Part of the proceeds from the event go toward Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, helping families across the Caribbean rebuild after the storm. Attendees are also encouraged to bring new relief supplies — canned goods, bottled water, diapers, hygiene items, and more — to drop off at the event.
As Island SPACE co-founder Calibe Thompson puts it:
“Rum cake and black cake are the ultimate unifiers in Caribbean culture. This year, we’re offering even more ways for people to taste, toast, and truly feel the spirit of the islands together — while giving back to our Caribbean family impacted by the hurricanes.”
That’s Broward at its best: sweet, soulful, and always down to help.
The Island SPACE Caribbean Museum — located at Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., Suite 1202 — is open Thursday through Sunday if you want to keep the island vibes rolling. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions celebrating Caribbean art, history, and the people who’ve shaped our region. Admission’s only $15 for adults and $5 for kids, so it’s a perfect weekend add-on.
Shop, Sip, and Celebrate
Beyond the cake tastings, there’s plenty more to indulge in. You’ll find:
Holiday beverages — from creamy Caribbean eggnogs to spicy rum punches
Live cultural performances — dance troupes, folk musicians, and more
A buzzing holiday marketplace — Caribbean vendors selling everything from hand-carved art to island-inspired fashion
Plenty of photo ops — bright backdrops, colorful displays, and palm trees swaying in the background
It’s basically a Caribbean Christmas preview — with a Broward twist.
And let’s not forget: Volunteer Park is one of Plantation’s hidden gems.
Spacious, shaded, and surrounded by those classic 954 palm-tree views that make every selfie look like a vacation postcard.
The Main Event: Cake, Cake, and More Cake
You didn’t think we’d skip the main course, right? The centerpiece of the festival is a massive tasting spread of rum cakes and black cakes from bakers representing islands across the Caribbean: Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Belize.
Each slice tells a story — sweet, rich, and rooted in island pride. Whether you’re into the deep molasses and burnt sugar tones of Jamaican black cake, the buttery rum-soaked versions from the Virgin Islands, or the light, citrusy twists from Trinidad, there’s something here for every sweet tooth.
Pro tip: Pace yourself. This isn’t a “one slice and done” kind of event. You’ll want to graze, sip, and savor. Maybe grab a rum punch between tastings. Or, you know, dance it off.
The Crowd: Who’s Pulling Up?
In a word? Everybody.
This fest pulls the whole 954 fam — from Fort Liquordale foodies hunting their next Instagram story to Caribbean aunties proudly judging every cake (“Too dry, chile!”), to college kids just here for the vibes.
You’ll see locals repping their flags, new transplants getting their first taste of black cake, and culture lovers soaking up the rhythm. The crowd is multigenerational, multicultural, and 100% Broward — where every accent, every outfit, and every laugh adds to the mix.
This is one of those events that remind you what makes Broward magic: no matter where you’re from, there’s a little island in all of us.
The Details You Need
Location: Volunteer Park Community Center, 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation, FL 33323
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25 pre-sold / $30 at the door
Get Yours: islandspacefl.org/cakefest25
Rum Room: Exclusive 21+ experience for pre-sold ticket holders only — limited sessions, book early!
Bring: Relief supplies — canned food, bottled water, diapers, hygiene items🎵 Expect: Music, food, culture, and vibes for days
Why You Can’t Miss It
Because Broward is the Caribbean. From Miramar to Lauderdale Lakes, from Sunrise to Plantation, the island influence is baked into everything here — our food, our music, our slang, our energy. The Rum Cake and Caribbean Black Cake Fest isn’t just a food event; it’s a celebration of who we are.
And it’s also proof that culture can be fun, flavorful, and give back — all at once.
So come ready to eat, sip, and dance. Meet your neighbors. Bring your flag. Bring your appetite. And bring something for the hurricane relief drive, because that’s how Broward rolls — always with heart.
The Aftertaste: Sweet, Strong, and Unforgettable
You’ll leave the festival with sticky fingers, a happy belly, and probably a few new island phrases you picked up in the crowd. Maybe you’ll even walk out with your new favorite rum or a jar of fruit soaking for your own holiday cake.
And when that first cool(ish) breeze hits on a Broward night, you’ll remember the music, the laughter, the sense of belonging. That’s what this event does — it fills your spirit like a good pour of island rum.
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Tickets are on sale now, and trust us — they go faster than a slice of warm black cake at auntie's house!
This November, let’s eat, sip, and celebrate Caribbean culture the Broward way — loud, proud, and full of flavor.
Pull up, Broward. The cake’s calling.
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