North America’s biggest street party is back, with music, mas and more! Here are the top festival-weekend events of Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2024.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival is returning for its 57th year in 2024
We’re #OnDeRoadAgain as Toronto Caribbean Carnival (August 1–5, 2024) returns to the 6ix. Locals and visitors alike flock to the annual celebration of freedom and culture, which is also known as Caribana, its original name.
While events fill the month of July into August, the big festival weekend takes place August 1–5, when over a million participants and spectators are expected to attend the historic Grand Parade.
Looking to plan your own Caribbean getaway in Toronto? Here’s how to make the most of the four-day festival weekend’s music, dance, costumes and celebration.
King & Queen Showcase
The King & Queen Showcase (August 1, 2024) is a vibrant display of creativity and pageantry. This event features elaborate and large costumes centred around different themes.
Competitors are judged on the intricate details of their costumes and by how well they reference their carnival Mas Band’s theme. Towards the end of the night, the King and Queen are crowned, and the event will be filled with live soca and calypso music, cultural performances and food.
Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Boulevard
Daylit
Guest DJs and musical performers take centre stage at DayLit (August 2, 2024), a can’t-miss daytime pool party. This year's event is being hosted by Saweetie. Previous musical artists include French Montana, DJ Khaled, and more.
This year’s event is at Cabana, known for its “all-Canadian-by-the-lakeside wonderland” vibe. Book early to beat the crowds since this event always sells out.
Where: Cabana Pool Bar
Pan Alive Panorama
The Ontario Steel Pan Association’s (OSA) Toronto Panorama - Keepin' Pan Alive (August 2, 2024) promises a vibrant evening of live steel pan renditions, sounds, tone and rhythm.
This one-night showcase features Toronto’s professional steelpan community, which works to preserve and promote this dynamic cultural and musical art form.
In a typical showcase, steel bands perform two songs each—including a “bomb tune.” This non-competitive event is all about shining a light on the creativity of the arrangers in a celebratory environment.
Where: Exhibition Place, 200 Princes' Boulevard
The Grand Parade this year will be on August 5
The Grand Parade
North America’s largest carnival returns in 2024 with an all-new, performance-filled Grand Parade (August 3, 2024) hosted at Exhibition Place and Hotel X Toronto, near the parade staging grounds.
The Grande Parade draws a crowd of 1 million people from all over the world. They line Lake Shore Boulevard West to watch the carnival’s main event, which features 10,000+ masqueraders, live steelpan performers, floats and more.
Revellers can fuel up for hours of spectacle and celebration by digging into delicious Caribbean food and drinks along the route.
Where: Lake Shore Boulevard West and Exhibition Place
Friday Night Mas
Friday Night Mas is an electrifying night-time parade that features dazzling LED costumes and dancing under the stars. Presented by D' Bandit Entertainment and the Festival Management Committee, you won’t want to miss this vibrant celebration of cultural festivity.
Where: Exhibition Grounds
Sunday Blocko
Get set for the hottest block party of carnival weekend—Sunday Blocko (August 4, 2024). Festival Sunday’s only daytime event, this breezy outdoor party is the perfect afternoon escape, with authentic Caribbean cuisine, music and possible star sightings.
Previously featured performers have included R&B singer Mario, rapper Fabolous and DJ Khaled.
Where: Rebel
Soca Sensation
A sleek, all-white dress code event, Soca Sensation (August 4, 2024), features the best of soca and reggae at one of Caribana’s most stylish dance parties. Didn’t plan for the dress code? Hit our top shopping districts for the perfect all-white party outfit.
Where: The Ballroom
Hot 97/ BET Allstar Celebrity Party
The Annual Hot 97/BET AllStar Celebrity Party (August 4, 2024) returns with some of North America’s hottest hip hop, R&B, soca, calypso and reggae artists and DJs.
This iconic collab is a huge success every year, and rumour has it that surprise big-name acts will be performing. Past guests at the carnival’s biggest indoor-outdoor event have included J.Cole, Meek Mill, Roy Woods and more, so it’s worth the commute out west.
Where: Grand Bizarre
