2022 Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival Guide

Join the party in Toronto at the 2022 Caribbean Carnival Festival! Toronto is ready to welcome over two million visitors from around the world to North America’s largest cultural festival. Held July 28 through July 31, this year’s 55th anniversary theme “On De Road Again” marks the return of in-person festivities, parties, events, and of course, the Grand Parade!

As the city welcomes visitors from far and away, UP Express will help you make the most of your Caribbean Carnival weekend with clean, comfortable and convenient trains moving you from Pearson Airport to downtown Toronto’s Union Station in just 25 minutes. With trains running every 15-minutes, 7 days a week, UP Express will get you to downtown Toronto quickly so you can get in on all the fun Caribbean Carnival festivities in the city! With UP Express affordable fares, the whole family saves and get in on the Caribbean Carnival fun!
We’ve got your guide to the weekend highlights so you can celebrate the Caribbean community with food, fun, and more at Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival Festival.

You won’t want to miss one of Toronto’s biggest – and certainly most-colourful – celebrations! The annual Grand Parade on July 30 is the highlight of a packed festival weekend featuring 10,000 revelers and masqueraders as they take to the streets and wine it up with live soca and calypso music, and, of course, proudly display their elaborate feathered costumes (called ‘mas’ on the island). This Caribbean tradition of parading through the street was founded in celebration of freedom and emancipation from slavery and is celebrated on what has been recognized by the Canadian government as Emancipation Day weekend. It’s free to watch the parade along the Lakeshore Boulevard West street route, but spectators can grab tickets for Grand Parade Central located at Exhibition Grounds and Hotel X.
Get your tickets and join Metrolinx and its family of transit services, GO Transit, UP Express, and PRESTO in celebrating freedom and Caribbean culture! Stop by our event space to take part in giveaways, a live mural artist, and more!
Put on your most-colourful look, skip the traffic, and leave parking hassles behind you on parade day by taking UP Express to Union Station and connecting to GO Transit for a quick one-stop ride to Exhibition Grounds.

What would carnival weekend be without the costumes? See over 50 themed large-scale costumes as Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival officially kicks off on July 28 with the King And Queen Showcase. Toronto’s Mas bands present a showcase of incredible craftsmanship for judges who will crown the king and queen at the end of the night. Featuring live performances, dance, and plenty of tasty treats at Lamport Stadium in Toronto’s Liberty Village neighbourhood, this ticketed event is easily accessible from UP Express Union Station by connecting to the TTC 504 King Streetcar or GO Train to Exhibition Station.

Feel the beat of the steelpan at Pan Alive as the Ontario Steel Pan Association presents a musical party at Lamport Stadium on July 29. Avid steel pan performers entertain thousands of spectators with the unique sounds of the steelpan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Part lively competition and part showcase, Pan Alive is nothing but a good time! Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to this popular nighttime event.

It’s time to taste some island flavour at the brand-new Sunday Carnival Flavours – a Sunday Day party event on July 30. It’s the perfect way to relax and indulge after Saturday’s Grand Parade.
Looking for more culinary delights while visiting? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out some of Toronto’s best new restaurants, local craft breweries, and find a patio to soak up the sun as you enjoy your stay this summer.

With Toronto Caribbean Carnival festivities located along the shores of Lake Ontario, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out and explore Toronto’s waterfront neighbourhoods. Spend a day exploring the Toronto islands or rent a bike from outside UP Express Union Station and check out the many accessible sights in Toronto’s downtown core with our handy Union Station Guide. From water activities like kayaking and boat cruises to breweries, beaches, and more, there’s always something fun for visitors of all ages.
No matter what’s on your Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend itinerary, UP Express can help you get there with ease by connecting downtown Toronto with three convenient stops at Bloor Street West, Weston, and Toronto Pearson Airport.