The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana, is set to return in July after a two-year hiatus.
According to reports, The Toronto Caribbean Carnival will begin with a string of parties and events starting July 28 that lead up to a big parade on Aug. 1. This year marks the carnival’s 55th anniversary, as it was established by a group of Caribbean board members in Toronto in 1967, whose mission was to celebrate the multicultural city’s West Indian presence.
North America’s largest cultural festival was reportedly modeled after Trinidad and Tobago’s yearly carnival commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people from their European colonizers–one of them being the French, who regularly held masquerade balls to mimic and make fun of Black features and traditions. The enslaved people responded to the insults by creating their own masquerade where they dressed up to mock their slave owners. As it evolved, it began highlighting the very mixed culture of the island due to its diverse population.
During the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, revelers will show off their glamorous costumes as other attendees get to spectate, listen to music from all over the Caribbean–namely, Soca and Dancehall–and eat traditional foods. Toronto’s last carnival occurred in 2019, as the pandemic arrived shortly after, forcing organizers to cancel the planned events for the following years.
“Today, we officially launched this year’s Caribbean Carnival!” Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted at a launch party announcing the carnival’s return on July 7. “Joined by @cafreeland and @thompson_37, in Nathan Phillips Square, to welcome back this beloved month of celebrations, culminating in the Grande Parade at the end of July.”
Today, we officially launched this year's Caribbean Carnival!
Joined by @cafreeland and @thompson_37, in Nathan Phillips Square to welcome back this beloved month of celebrations, culminating in the Grande Parade at the end of July. pic.twitter.com/W81yqLOsa4
— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) July 7, 2022
The day-long party took place at Nathan Phillips Square on July 7, with dancers showcasing their elaborate costumes while steel pan players and DJs performed. It reportedly kicked off the upcoming month, filled with events leading up to the three-day carnival in Toronto.
Get ready for a month long celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring Kiddies Mas: Jr. King & Queen, Carnival Parade, OCPA Calypso Showcase, King & Queen, Pan Alive, and the Grand Parade; five thrilling kilometers of dancing, wining, jumping & waving to the hottest soca music! pic.twitter.com/DZ0BdpYMAf
— Toronto Carnival (@GoTOCarnival) July 7, 2022
“Building back up that sense of community, celebrating each other — because there’s nothing like the Caribbean Carnival that allows us to celebrate the things that other people brought to this country,” Tory said to the Star regarding the carnival’s hiatus. “That’s the essence of what we’re all about here.”
Many notable celebrities have attended Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival over the years, including the city’s own rapper and actor Drake and legendary actress Halle Berry, among others. Over a million tourists are expected to travel to the carnival this year.
