It’s no surprise that Caribana 2019 in Toronto, Canada is 90 percent sold out after last year’s raucous festival. What began as a three-day celebration, has evolved into three weeks of Caribbean-inspired fun and almost 50 years after its debut, Caribana holds the title of being North America’s largest cultural festival.
Over a million tourists are expected to flood the Ontario capital this weekend, including families from across the U.S. and Canada, hopeful singles looking for a good time, and celebrities like Drake throwing their own Caribana-themed parties. Festivities begin this Thursday, August 1 and extend through Sunday, August 4.
Outside of the Grand Parade on Saturday, August 3, Caribana weekend is jam-packed with activities for every flavor.
Looking to turn-up in Toronto? Stop by one of Caribana’s four pool parties, Carnival Kingdom with Sean Paul, the Sunday block party, or choose from an assortment of reggae, soca, and hiphop events happening throughout the weekend.
If you’ve got tikes in tow, there’s plenty of family fun scheduled as well, like the lighting of the CN tower on Thursday, August 1, the King and Queen band show, and of course the Grand Parade.
The festival occurs alongside Drake’s annual OVO Fest, which returns for its ninth year after taking a hiatus in 2018. Hosted by the Toronto native, the festival begins with the OVO Bounce scheduled for July 29 through August 2 at the University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre, and the OVO Summit on August 1 and 2 at the Tiff Bell Lightbox. On Sunday, August 4, Drake has curated a stacked lineup that will grace Toronto’s Budweiser Stage, with performances by B2K, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, Mario, Pretty Ricky and Bobby V. Drake will close the festival on Monday, August 5 and you can expect special guests to join him onstage.
Caribana is almost sold out, but weekend passes can still be purchased here.
