This month, Toronto will host a festival celebrating the authentic Caribbean party – Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back after two years of cancellations because of the pandemic. According to the organizers, the party will offer an array of performances by popular Caribbean music artists. It is a cultural showcase and celebration of the creative spirit of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival community.

The band leaders will showcase their elaborate costumes that will be presented in the Parade. Also, guests will be able to taste some of the Caribbean’s traditional and favorite foods that will be available at many of the Festival events.

This year, Toronto Caribbean Carnival commemorates its 55th edition, and the event is one of the most celebrated Caribbean parties in North America.  It originated to celebrate the end of slavery on the island of Trinidad and Tobago. 

“There are very few events we have that are so big, and that bring everybody in Toronto together, let alone all the visitors who come,” Mayor Tory told the Star during the event.

“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. That’s the essence of what we’re all about here.”

As Toronto Star reported, the event will be kicked off with an all-day party at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday, with dancers showcasing their costumes as DJs and steel pan musicians performed.

Elaborate costumes were on display Thursday as Toronto Caribbean Carnival officially kicked off at Nathan Phillips Square with a month-long series of events.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival will host programs throughout July, leading up to the Grand Parade, in which 12 bands will compete on July 30. There will be two major events in their junior program, Kiddies for Mas: a junior king and queen’s showcase on July 10 at Scarborough Town Centre and a junior parade on July 16 at the Malvern Community Centre.

You can visit here for more information about Toronto Caribbean Carnival.