It’s Official: The Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival has Begun

July 11, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – The Official Public Launch of the 56 annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s month-long festival took place today at Nathan Phillips Square at noon with opening remarks from Mayor-Elect Olivia Chow, Minister Marci Ien, Minister Chamaine Wiliams and NDP MPP Jill Andrew among others.

“We have worked really hard to get to today, to show the city and the world that Toronto Caribbean Carnival is as vibrant as ever with big plans ahead,” said Mischka Crichton, CEO of the Festival Management Committee, organizers of Toronto Caribbean Carnival. “The audience got a sneak peak at the spectacular costumes this year, they got to hear our OSA Steelpan Orchestra perform and our favourite Calypsonian King Cosmo got the crowd dancing.” The party is not over, it continues from 4:30pm to 8:00pm with performances from Soca artist Jaxx, the Tassa Drummers and DJ Doc, DJ Steph Honey and DJ Greenz Connection. The Caribbean Marketplace is also open with mouthwatering food available, vendors selling their products and a licensed bar.

As North America’s biggest street festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival attracts close to 2 million people to the Grand Parade alone. “The schedule of events for the rest of the festival season are as follows:

• Junior King and Queen Showcase: Sunday, July 16th at Scarborough Town Centre

• Junior Carnival Parade: Saturday, July 22nd at Malvern Community Centre

• OCPA Calypso Showcase: Sunday, July 30th at Latvian Culture Centre

• King and Queen Showcase: Thursday, August 3rd at Lamport Stadium

• Pan Alive Panorama: Friday, August 4th at Lamport Stadium

• The Grand Parade: Saturday, August 5th along Lakeshore Blvd.

• Pan in de Park: Sunday, August 6th at Malvern Recreation Centre/Malvern Park

• TCC International Food Festival: Sunday, August 6th at Malvern Park

“We pride ourselves in creating a welcoming, safe environment for this shared celebration of Caribbean culture” explained Jennifer Hirlehey, Chair, Festival Management Committee. “Our theme this year is Diversity and Culture Live Here – look around the Square and you will see it’s true!.”

Partnership support is expressed with gratitude to the following: Scarborough Town Centre, Exhibition Place, Ontario Science Centre, Metrolinx, United Local 46, Grace Foods, Bell Media, CP24, OCAF, Federal Government of Canada, Provincial Government of Ontario, City of Toronto, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto FC, BBEP, Porter Airlines, OLG, Cantu, Diageo/Guinness, Street Eats, OSSTF, Spotify and US Virgin Islands.

For more information on events, tickets and media accreditation, please visit: torontocarnival.ca 

SOURCE Toronto Caribbean Carnival