Carnivals are celebrated throughout the Caribbean on Emancipation Day weekend (usually the first weekend in August) to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the West Indies. In Toronto, it provides a cultural and artistic link between Canadians and Caribbean culture.
My dad, Russell Preddie, smiles when he thinks about attending the first Caribana in Toronto. As a Jamaican immigrant, seeing so many Caribbean people in one country gave him a sense of identity and validation. Back then in Canada, he said: “You didn’t hear this music on the radio. You didn’t have this food in the store. All the islands were united. It was a transport of culture and a relief from the discrimination that made us feel invisible.”
Ontario is home to more than half of Canada’s black African and Caribbean population, and 37 percent live in the provincial capital, Toronto. Although some immigration occurred in the late 1700s, most people who left the Caribbean for Canada arrived in the second half of the 20th century.
Between 1955 and 1967, the West Indian Inland Scheme brought more than 3,000 young Caribbean women to Canada. The program was created to fill the domestic void left by women entering the workforce. After a year of domestic work, Caribbean immigrants were eligible to sponsor their family’s immigration.
These women endured low wages, long hours, and hard work to eventually gain citizenship. They faced hostility and racism as they tried to find housing, continue their education or change jobs. Race-based immigration laws changed in the 1970s, allowing many more West Indians to immigrate to Canada. These migrants created Caribbean communities, primarily within Toronto and Montreal, and changed the shape of these cities forever.
“All the islands were united. It was a transport of culture and a relief from the discrimination that made us feel invisible.”
– Russell Preddie attending the inaugural Caribana in 1967
In its 55th year, North America’s largest Caribbean Carnival continues to celebrate Canada’s strong connection with the Caribbean diaspora. “Now more than ever, we need a place to honor diversity, celebrate emancipation and self-expression and come together again,” said Laverne Garcia, executive chair of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
This year’s theme is “Embrace the Carnival in You,” inviting attendees to wear colorful costumes, dance to steel bands and indulge in chicken, fried parties, dumplings and Trini pairings. There are also night cruises, dance hall club nights and family friendly areas where kids can enjoy the party.
What to see at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival
The carnival kicked off earlier this month with the Junior King & Queen Showcase: Kids 12 and under show off colorful costumes in hopes of being crowned. The Children’s Parade is a week later, filling the streets of East Toronto with music, children in exciting costumes and the debut of the young royals.
On Thursday, this search for the carnival crown is a spectacular display of imagination and pageantry with more than 50 costumes, all different interpretations of the Carnival theme. Unique headdresses made of jewels and feathers, bejeweled bras that twirl around the body, sparkly hoops and wings of colorful feathers will parade before a panel of judges and a cheering crowd. Male and female contestants are judged on the details of their costumes, their creativity and how that costume represents the Carnival theme. At the end of the night, the King and Queen are crowned. They will lead the Mas band in the Grand Parade on Saturday.
This is the main magical event. On Saturday, along Lakeshore Avenue West, the sprawling Expo will be filled with more than 10,000 masquerades in vibrant costumes, drumming, DJing and dancing. From 8am to 8pm along Toronto’s waterfront, you can enjoy Caribbean food, delicious drinks and stages that host more live music performances.
This Sunday celebration is new to the list of Toronto carnivals. Held at the Toronto Showgrounds, the event will feature every kind of Caribbean dish you can dream of, including oxtail, chicken roti, rice and peas, and sahenna (spinach stir-fry). There will also be live music and vendors selling Toronto Carnival souvenirs. Prepare to be delighted.
The steel pan is a musical tradition associated with the islands, particularly Trinidad and Tobago. These pans, originally created from oil drums, dustbin lids and frying pans, represent a resistance against the colonial powers that tried to limit aspects of the island’s carnival celebration in the early 20th century. On Friday, the Ontario Steel Pan Association will host a night packed with live performances showcasing the instrument’s many rhythms.
Day at the Cabana Pool Bar
Every year, Toronto’s largest patio and pool bar hosts one of the festival’s best parties. Previous artists have included DJ Khaled and French Montana, and the former has already been spotted in town.
Friday, July 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
Set in Roy Thomson Hall
Hosted by radio station BET and NYC Power 105.1, this party kicks off the weekend with the best in hip-hop, reggae, soca, R&B and trap.
Friday, July 29, 10pm to close
Toronto Caribana Boat Party at Queens Quay
This boat cruise is for you and 1000 of your closest friends. Every year, this massive party cruise plays club anthems, hip-hop, dancehall and mash-ups. Both events always sell out, with tickets starting at $47 ($60 CAD).
Friday, July 29, 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.; Saturday, July 30, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Elite on the water in the Empress of Canada
This night cruise has sold out eight years in a row and this year will be no different. Playing hip-hop, R&B, reggae and soca on Lake Ontario, enjoy Toronto’s beautiful skyline while working your way through wine.
Sunday, July 31, 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m
New Money Reunion at the Budweiser Stage
Toronto rap superstar Drake will perform with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj in the finale of three shows for the October World Weekend. He’s promoting the festival as the “Road to OVO Fest Tour,” which he regularly hosts during Carnival Weekend. The festival includes a Thursday group show at the historic venue for hip-hop’s Canadian Northern All Stars and a Friday show on the Budweiser Stage with Chris Brown and Lil Baby.
Where to find Caribbean culture all year round
When Caribbean migrants arrived in Toronto, many settled in the Eglinton Avenue West area and it soon earned the title “Little Jamaica”.
The ’80s were the glory years of the community: Reggae and soca filled the streets, grocery stores carried yeast, plantains and bammy from home, and you could get hair products that weren’t available anywhere else in town. Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff are among the famous musicians who have visited here, strolling down what is now ‘Reggae Lane’.
Last year, the area was designated an Ontario Heritage Site, meaning many of the shops, restaurants and businesses will receive support to help curb the effects of gentrification and the pandemic.
This community is still very much alive. Monica’s Beauty Salon has been the place to shop for makeup and hair products since the 80s, and Ther’s Salon team is the best at cool straightening and braiding.
Cafes and restaurants, such as Treajah Isle and Judy’s Island Grill, and barbershops including Eglinton Barbers continue to host classic reggae nights, feature live music, and provide venues for community discussions and workshops. You can get some juicy chicken late at night at Rap Restaurant, a Toronto institution.
From August 26-28, Little Jamaica will present Sinting Fest, a family-friendly celebration of Jamaican music, vendors, dancing and, of course, food. This electric street is Toronto’s quintessential destination for a taste of the islands.
CaribbeanTales Film Festival
This black owned and operated registered charity has been working towards inclusion in Canadian media for over 16 years. It focuses on connecting multi-ethnic communities through education and workshops, running a Makers of Color Incubator, and providing a platform to showcase filmmakers of color. It also handles international distribution for Black films and has recently launched its own production arm.
The CaribbeanTales Film Festival takes place every September and celebrates the talents of black filmmakers of African and Caribbean descent. This year, CTFF runs from September 7-23.
Toronto Black Film Festival
The Toronto Black Film Festival is held every February as part of Black History Month activities. The festival highlights the best of black films and creates a space to discuss cultural, social and socio-economic issues. Here, unique voices within the independent film industry can explore their culture while educating the broader Canadian community. The program includes filmmakers of African, Caribbean and African-Canadian descent.
