Island SPACE Mango Festival moves to the Charles F. Dodge City Center on Sunday, June 21, the same day as a FIFA World Cup match 15 minutes away, with Caribbean fruit, dozens of vendors, live entertainment and a new “no moms allowed” pampering zone for dads.
PLANTATION, Fla. — On Father’s Day afternoon, the Charles F. Dodge City Center will fill with the scent of ripe mangoes, Caribbean music and families moving from table to table, tasting, learning and celebrating together.
That is the scene Island SPACE Caribbean Museum is building for the third annual Island SPACE Mango Festival, set for Sunday, June 21, 2026. What began in 2024 as a small gathering has more than doubled in attendance each year and is now targeting more than 1,500 guests — families, food lovers, home gardeners and tropical fruit enthusiasts from across South Florida and beyond.
Tickets and full event details are available at islandspacefl.org/mangofest26. The event is made possible by partners including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Broward County Cultural Division, Crichton Mullings and Grace Foods.
Caribbean culture meets Father’s Day
At its core, Island SPACE Mango Festival celebrates Caribbean culture through one of its most beloved fruits. Each island brings its own varieties, flavors and traditions, represented in one space.
The festival also centers Father’s Day. This year introduces “Daddy’s Kingdom,” a red-carpet experience for fathers and father figures, featuring a throne-and-crown photo station, curated gifts, tastings, pampering experiences and a premium raffle. The festival also offers a Mango Sommelier Experience, a guided tasting of rare and exotic mango varieties paired with a premium mango-themed swag bag. Both experiences are premium ticketed offerings that include general admission.
Across the venue, mango and artisan vendors will offer fresh fruit, products and Caribbean-inspired goods. The Mango Walk will showcase dozens of exotic varieties. The program also includes live, multicultural entertainment, chef demonstrations, mango cultivation workshops, the Daddy Mango Eating Competition, a live Mango Auction, a Kids & Family Zone and all-day DJ music.
Celebrate dad this Father’s Day at Island SPACE Mango Festival | Photo by Island Syndicate
Mangoes in the afternoon, World Cup in the evening
The festival coincides with a FIFA World Cup group stage match at Hard Rock Stadium, about 15 minutes away. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., as the festival concludes.
The timing creates a natural flow for attendees, combining a cultural afternoon with a major global sporting event.
“It is the kind of Sunday people plan around,” said Calibe Thompson, founder and executive director of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum. “You can spend the afternoon with us, celebrate the fathers in your life and then head into the energy of the World Cup just minutes away.”
A venue that reflects the growth
The move to the Charles F. Dodge City Center marks a major step for the festival. The indoor, air-conditioned venue offers expanded capacity, a central Pembroke Pines location and convenient parking.
The shift allows Island SPACE to accommodate more vendors and guests while delivering a more comfortable and accessible experience.
A broad and engaged audience
Island SPACE Mango Festival draws a diverse audience that extends beyond the Caribbean diaspora. Attendees include home gardeners seeking cultivation techniques, families planning a Father’s Day outing and food enthusiasts exploring mango-inspired cuisine.
Many come for a specific reason and stay for the full experience, moving between tastings, demonstrations and performances throughout the afternoon.
How to participate
Attend: Tickets and event details at islandspacefl.org/mangofest26.
Become a vendor: Contact ma***@***********fl.org.
Become a sponsor: View the sponsorship deck at islandspacefl.org/mangodeck.
Volunteer: Register at islandspacefl.org/mangovol
About Island SPACE Caribbean Museum
Island SPACE Caribbean Museum is the only pan-Caribbean heritage museum in the world, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history, culture, art, and legacy of the Caribbean and its diaspora. In five years, Island SPACE has welcomed thousands of guests and students and mounted dozens of exhibitions by Caribbean fine artists. Through its museum, rotating gallery, educational programming, and signature cultural festivals, Island SPACE serves as an important cultural home for Caribbean stories in South Florida and beyond.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Broward Mall, 8000 West Broward Blvd., Suite 1202, Plantation, FL 33388. Museum Admission: $15 adults | $7 children under 12. Group tours available by reservation. Learn more at islandspacefl.org or call 954-999-0989 for details.
