Protoje and Lila Iké to Headline 2026 Food, Rum & Reggae Festival

The St. Elizabeth native will lead the 2026 staging alongside Lila Iké as the festival returns with an expanded three-day experience following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa in 2025

Protoje returns home to headline Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival (Photo: Stony Johnson)

Grammy-nominated reggae artiste and St. Elizabeth native Protoje, alongside reggae singer Lila Iké, will headline the 2026 Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival, set for November 6-8 in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.

The festival returns to its South Coast home with an expanded three-day format, combining live reggae with Jamaican food, rum, agriculture and culture while showcasing the unique Treasure Beach experience.

Protoje’s homecoming adds special significance to this year’s staging, which marks the festival’s return to St. Elizabeth following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa in 2025. The internationally acclaimed artiste was born in the parish and has maintained strong ties to the area throughout his rise as one of contemporary reggae’s leading acts.

“What is amazing about this staging is that we have a native son of the soil who is headlining the show, Protoje. The people of St. Elizabeth are very excited and ecstatic to see him,” said Jason Ricketts, festival partner and Marketing Director for West Palm Events.

The weekend gets underway on Friday, November 6, with Dubwise, a celebration of reggae, dub and Jamaica’s sound system culture. Saturday will feature the festival’s signature food and cultural offerings, including its Artisan Village, Farmers Market and Food Court, highlighting local farmers, chefs, producers, artisans and entrepreneurs.

The celebration will then move to the main stage on Saturday evening, with Protoje and Lila Iké leading the live performances as the festival celebrates its return to Treasure Beach.

Festival Director Gregory Wright said this year’s staging represents an important new chapter for the event following the challenges of 2025. “I’m truly honoured to be hosting the Food, Rum & Reggae Festival again this year. Off the heels of being affected by Hurricane Melissa last year, we’re grateful to be back, bigger and better and taking the festival to new heights,” said Wright. “We’re looking forward to hosting local and international guests and having an amazing festival this November 6th-8th, 2026. We guarantee an amazing and unforgettable experience is in store.”

The 2026 staging is backed by several confirmed sponsors and partners, including the Jamaica Tourist Board, Wright Image, Jakes Hotel, Bramble Beach Villa and West Palm Events.