About Caribana

Caribana dancer - 1967

Caribana is a unique celebration of Caribbean culture that finds its roots in Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Toronto's Caribana festival began in 1967 when the Canadian government asked the Caribbean community to get involved to help celebrate the Centennial year. It was organized by a group of ten Caribbean individuals living in Toronto. Their goal was to develop a platform to showcase the beauty, joy and music of Caribbean culture. Caribana weekend usually coincides with Simcoe Day (the first weekend in August), marking the abolishment of slavery in Upper Canada. (more »).

Forty-one years of fun

Forty-one years later, Caribana is still jumping.

This year's Caribana runs from July 15th - August 3rd and promises to be a spectacular show with a lot of "'mas appeal".

Caribana dancer - 2005 (CP Photo)

This festival breaks down all the barriers and brings everyone together. It's the largest cultural festival in North America.

There are lots of spectacular events that make up Caribana - Calypso Tents, a King and Queen competition, a junior carnival - but the main attraction is the parade (more »).

It attracts over one million visitors into the city to jump up to the music of the colourful mas (masquerade) bands and marvel at the dazzling costumes.

The 2008 parade starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2nd at Exhibition Place and travels west on Lake Shore Drive
(view map »).

Parade Route Map