The Caribana carnival is the largest and oldest North American festival which brings a sense of great joy and jubilation to Toronto. The festival is a gift from the Caribbean islands to mark the centennial celebration of Toronto. The Caribbean-themed affair is a combination of cultures, costumes, and music.

The Caribana returns in 2022 after a two-year lull, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 4-day fiesta starts on 28th July and will continue till 31st July. The carnival is primarily known for the grand parade, a flock of Caribana-crazy people who dissect downtown Toronto with great music and celebrations. This year will mark the 55th anniversary of the grand Caribana carnival, and we can’t wait for enough for it.

Toronto also lights up during the wee hours during the Caribana festival. One can find numerous pubs, clubs, bars, and restaurants that host Caribana-themed parties in the city. You can experience great food, lip-smacking drinks, and a sensational ambiance in the lively and vibrant city of Toronto.

So if you’re planning to join the grand parade this year and discover your nightlife options in the city, read this article to discover how you can unwind and have a great time during the Caribana festival.

Events at the Caribana Carnival

With millions expected to join this year’s carnival, there’s something for everyone in Toronto during the Caribana carnival. From magnetic live gigs and pool parties to sensational J’ouvert events and the grand parade, the Caribana festival will bring a host of events to Toronto. From the youngest member of your family to the oldest, the grand event will surely not be a disappointment for anyone.

Venues across Toronto will open up for awesome daytime and night events. Enjoy unwinding at pool parties, groove to eclectic music numbers during the night, and enjoy whole gastronomic, entertainment, and cultural delights in between.

If you’re joining the Caribana festival for the first time, here is a list of events that you should look forward to for the Caribana carnival:

The Grand Parade

The most iconic event of them all, the Grand Parade, is an international spectacle that sees more than a million people flocking to the streets of Toronto with colorful floats, thousands of masquerades, Caribbean music, and Caribbean-themed costumes. The grand parade will take place on Saturday, starting from 8:30 in the morning and running up to 6 in the evening.

Mas Events

Mas bands are basically carnival bands who are costumed participants in the parade dancing and enjoying soca bands, DJs, and Hip-Hop anthems. These costumed participants dance their way through the parade over soca and steelpan bands along with other renowned DJs and Hip-Hop artists.

You can also find a flurry of soca musical events at many bars and clubs around Toronto. Enjoy an energetic costumed night of the ultimate moves and grooves in Toronto at Soca events that take place across the length and breadth of the country.

Daytime Parties

Across the city of Toronto, one can find numerous restaurants, bars, and pubs offering relaxing daytime parties. Whether you want to twist by the pool or enjoy a quaint little soiree of Canadian cuisines, the city has many outlets that can serve you.

You can also participate in the J’ouvert carnival, a much smaller carnival held early in the morning on the day of the grand parade itself. Join the cheering crowd as steelpan bands and other artists perform boisterous numbers on the street during sunrise to commemorate a famous tradition that originated in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nightlife Events

What’s a festival without magical night events? The Caribana carnival is not different, as it brings sensational clubbing vibes to the city. Almost every bar and nightclub in Toronto hosts its own Caribana parties with creative costumes and an array of musical performances.

Barcode Saturdays is a luxurious nightclub situated at NEST Toronto. We host the craziest and wild Caribana parties annually, setting the bar during the carnival. Join us on 30th July for a sensational Caribana party that epitomizes the grandeur of the oldest cultural festival in North America.

The Caribbean Carnival Ball

The Caribbean carnival ball is a conglomeration of all the artists and performers who take the stage to celebrate Caribbean culture. The event is set to raise charity for healthcare benefits for Caribbean children.

Other Activities

Other activities include the Caribbean fetes that bring together soca and steelpan bands and other performers for a great picnic a month before the grand parade.

You can also join talk tents during the carnival, which includes public figures like comedians and narrators holding talk events and other cultural activities.

Join the Wildest Caribana Night Party at Barcode Saturdays

At Barcode Saturdays, we believe in hosting the grandest, wildest, and most enthralling Caribana party in town. Join us on Saturday during the festival for an epic night of foot-tapping and fist-pumping over Hip-Hop, RnB, Reggae, Trap, and Latin music hits.

You can join the annual Caribana party at Barcode Saturdays by:

Reserving a VIP Bottle Booth

The VIP bottle booth service at Barcode Saturdays guarantees you access to a dedicated party station with your own crew over the choicest drinks and champagnes. Enjoy the night with dedicated services and two choices of stereo systems with your friends and family.

Signing-Up on the Guestlist

Alternatively, you can also sign-up on our guestlist to join the annual Caribana party at Barcode Saturdays.

Due to the high demand that we expect on the night, we strongly encourage you to reserve a VIP bottle booth to join us for the Caribana party.

How to Join the Epic Caribana Night Parties in Toronto