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Festival announces Nov 6-8, 2026 return to following Hurricane Benefit Festival

One year after Hurricane Melissa forced organisers to reimagine one of Jamaica’s premier culinary and cultural festivals as a one-day benefit concert, the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival is officially returning home to Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, from November 6-8, 2026.

The announcement comes as organisers celebrate the successful fulfilment of a promise made to the parish’s farming community, with the handover of J$1,000,000 to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to support farmers impacted by the hurricane. The donation fulfils the commitment made following the 2025 benefit concert, which replaced the festival’s traditional three-day staging to raise funds for agricultural recovery after Hurricane Melissa. 

The contribution is now being used by the Ministry to provide critical support to farming families across St. Elizabeth, including trucking water to farmers affected by the current dry conditions, demonstrating the lasting impact of a community that came together when it mattered most.

Festival Founder and Co-Director Jason Henzell said fulfilling the festival’s commitment to the farmers of St. Elizabeth was always a priority, noting that the experience has only strengthened the festival’s connection to the parish and its people.

“I’m very proud that despite the passing of Hurricane Melissa, the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival was able to fulfil its obligations to the farmers of St. Elizabeth, working with our Member of Parliament in this area and also the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Honourable Floyd Green. We have now seen that J$1,000,000 be spread across farmers throughout the parish. I’ve had the opportunity of meeting farmers not only in Pedro Plains and the Santa Cruz Mountains, but going as far as Black River and Ginger Hill. Seeing first-hand the incredible work they do has made me truly appreciate the importance of food security and reinforced why I conceptualised the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival in the first place, because our farmers deserve to be celebrated.”

Henzel continued, “They are incredibly important to the residents and visitors of Jamaica alike, and the breadbasket here in St. Elizabeth plays a pivotal role in our country’s future. I want to sincerely thank our partners, patrons and supporters for making this contribution possible, and I’m excited that we will once again be staging the Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival from November 6-8, 2026, back where it belongs, in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.”

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Honourable Floyd Green MP, commended the festival organisers for honouring their commitment and highlighted the positive impact the donation is already having on farming communities.

“The Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival was a truly excellent event, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which was a testament to the resilience of the people of St. Elizabeth. The team from the festival stayed true to their commitment of contributing J$1,000,000 to help the farmers of St. Elizabeth, largely South St. Elizabeth, and that contribution has now come in very handy as it is being channelled into trucking water to farmers in these dry conditions and to farm families. We want to commend the festival  team for honouring their commitment and continuing to support our farmers. We look forward to the next staging, and we know it will be bigger and better. We anticipate its return to Treasure Beach as another milestone in the parish’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa and a celebration of how far we have come. We also know that with each staging, the contribution towards our farmers will continue to grow, and we look forward to partnering once again for the 2026 festival.”

The return of the festival marks an important milestone for Treasure Beach and the wider parish of St. Elizabeth. While Hurricane Melissa temporarily changed the festival’s plans, it never changed its purpose. Instead, organisers, sponsors, performers, patrons and community partners came together to support the very people who have long been at the heart of the festival, the farmers who have helped establish St. Elizabeth as Jamaica’s breadbasket.

This year’s staging carries special significance as visitors will once again experience three unforgettable days celebrating Jamaica’s finest food, premium rums, reggae music, local artisans and authentic community culture against the stunning backdrop of Treasure Beach. More importantly, the festival continues its mission of shining a spotlight on the farmers, fishers, chefs, entrepreneurs and creatives whose passion and hard work define the spirit of St. Elizabeth.

For the people of Treasure Beach, the festival’s return is more than the revival of a signature event, it is a celebration of resilience, recovery and community. It represents the fulfilment of a promise, the strength of partnerships, and a renewed commitment to supporting agriculture while showcasing one of Jamaica’s most authentic destinations to the world.

The Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival returns to Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8, 2026.