Toronto Caribbean Carnival

(formerly known as Caribana)

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (TCC) or Toronto Carnival, is a vibrant and dynamic celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage, and artistry. Now in its 57th year, the Carnival is one of the largest cultural festivals in North America, attracting millions of participants and spectators from around the world and contributing over half a billion dollars to the Toronto economy.

 

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival began in 1967 as "Caribana," a community-led initiative to celebrate Canada’s Centennial by showcasing Caribbean culture. The carnival is rooted in the desire to create spaces where the Caribbean diaspora can connect, express their cultural identities, create opportunities for financial success, and enhance their ability to thrive in Canada.

From its early days on Yonge Street, the carnival has expanded significantly, attracting international attention and participation. The inaugural Toronto Carnival parade took place in 1967.  It was a groundbreaking event and a gift from the Caribbean community to Canada in honour of the country’s centennial.  The original parade attracted 50,000 people, setting the stage for the future of the carnival, and laying the foundation for the massive cultural festival it is today.

The Caribana festival was eventually renamed “Toronto Caribbean Carnival” to better reflect the diversity of the Caribbean nations represented and to emphasize the carnival’s location, in keeping with international trends.

Today, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival features a series of events, including parades, music competitions, and cultural showcases, all highlighting the rich traditions of the Caribbean.

In 2022, a new leadership team assumed management of the carnival. The FMC focuses on not only showcasing the vibrancy of Caribbean culture through large-scale events like the Toronto Caribbean Carnival but also acts as a catalyst for economic empowerment, educational advancement, and social inclusion for racialized and marginalized communities.

TORONTO ON

(For more info go to: www.torontocarnival.ca/events)

Toronto Food Truck Festival

Woodbine Park has never tasted this delicious before. Back for another year, The Toronto Food Truck Festival is serving up some real must-eats! As always, admission is free and there’s something for everyone, including Free Children’s Games. Entertain yourself with some of Toronto’s best local talent, participate in our live-eating challenges and enjoy a cold beer!

Woodbine Park
1695 Queen St E

TORONTO ON

(For more info go to: www.canadianfoodtruckfestivals.com/toronto/)

6IX Islands SOCA Village

The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort

888 Durham Live Ave

PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: www.livenation.com)

TORONTO WATERFRONT NIGHT MARKET

AUGUST 08-10, 2025 | HOTEL X TORONTO, EXHIBITION GROUNDS

• FRIDAY & SATURDAY IS A 19 + ONLY EVENT - VALID ID REQUIRED | NEW ALL-AGES SUNDAY •

 

HOTEL X TORONTO
115 PRINCES' BLVD

TORONTO ON

(For more info go to: www.waterfrontnightmarket.com)

Taco Fest Toronto 2025

Cravings Food Co. has become a leader in the food festival space, producing high quality experiences and activations. Our experienced team brings years of industry knowledge and expertise in producing high quality events and festivals. Our event properties consist of managed and minimal wait times for entry & food, top quality vendors and chefs, a clean and easy to navigate atmosphere, social and interactive experiences. The balance of these core values translates into top tier experiences attendees ultimately deserve.

HOTEL X TORONTO
115 PRINCES' BLVD

TORONTO ON

(For more info go to: www.thetacofest.com/toronto)

Make Your Own Arrangement

 

Discover the art of floral design in this hands-on workshop, set against the stunning backdrop of Parkwood's Rose Garden.

Learn the techniques and colour theory needed to craft a professional and breathtaking bouquet.

Guided by expert instruction, you will:
-Harvest vibrant blooms, including dahlias, zinnias, marigolds, and more, directly from our lush garden.
-Work outdoors in a serene, inspiring environment as you create your unique arrangement
-Gain valuable tips for selecting, arranging, and caring for your flowers to ensure lasting beauty.

What's included
Vase
Greens
Gems/Floral beads
Flowers

270 Simcoe Street N

OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: allevents.in)

August Meet The Maker Pop-Up

Join us for a Meet The Maker Pop-Up. We will have 10-12 vendors joining us in store with a wide range of products, and it's the perfect chance to get to know our vendors.

Are you interested in being a vendor for this event? Click here to fill out the application.

DOWNTOWN BOWMANVILLE

62 King Street West
BOWMANVILLE ON

(For more info go to: www.marketsontario.ca/pages/events )

Summer Door Mat Painting Workshop

Welcome summer in style with our Summer Door Mats Workshop, led by the talented Sarah Shaw! In this fun and hands-on workshop, you'll have the chance to transform a plain coco mat into a vibrant, personalized masterpiece that’s perfect for welcoming guests to your home all season long.

Sarah will guide you through the process of painting the design on a durable coco mat. Suitable for artists of all skill levels.

What's included
Materials: A high-quality coco mat, along with paints and brushes to bring your creation to life

Guidance: Sarah will walk you through painting techniques and design tips, making this a perfect opportunity for both beginners and experienced crafters.

Parkwood Estate National Historic Site

270 Simcoe Street N

OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: allevents.in)

Custom Perfume-Making Workshop presented by Dakaari Fragrance House

 

Make Your Very Own Signature Fragrance

Join Veronica, Founder, CEO and Expert Perfumer of Dakaari Fragrance House and learn how to create your own signature scent.

During this 2-hour experience, you will learn about:

The Art of Perfumery
Basic Perfume ingredients
Fragrance Families
Fragrance Notes
Blending Techniques and more!
Explore 25-30 oils and create 30 mL of your own unique blend to take home and wear everywhere!

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
AGE APPROPRIATENESS: 10+
LEVEL: Beginner

What's included
MATERIALS INCLUDED:
Essential Oils
Scent Strips
Beakers
Pipettes
Perfume Bottles & Boxes
Worksheet (Notes, Formula, Fragrance Wheel)
Perfume labels

Parkwood Estate National Historic Site

270 Simcoe Street N

OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: allevents.in)

Outdoor Yoga

Join Taylor from 10:00-11:15am for a gentle slow flow yoga practice within the Sunken Tennis Court Gardens at Parkwood Estate.

Together we will practice Vinyasa style of yoga but slowed way down, allowing you to intentionally connect to your mind, body, and breath.

This class is welcome to all levels of yogis from beginners to advanced. Each practice will have options for pose modifications - allowing you to truly find your ideal posture while keeping safety in mind.

Guests can expect to leave practice feeling uplifted and empowered.

Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle.

Please note, this is a RAIN or SHINE event. in the instance of inclement weather, Yoga will continue in the covered Arbor outdoor space. No Refunds.

Each class is sold separately.

270 Simcoe Street N

OSHAWA ON

(For more info go to: allevents.in)

Book for Farm Visits with Highland & Mini Cows or Alpacas or Both!

Get up close (but not too close!) with our small herd of miniature cattle. All of our cows are mixes of typical beef breeds (but bred in miniature). Our cattle are miniature mixes of angus (lowline angus), highland, belted galloway, hereford, dexter, and possibly some other breeds that we aren't aware of!

Alpaca visits provide an enjoyable experience feeding them treats, or watching them frolic in the fields, alpaca visits create lasting memories for everyone.If you have limited time and want to visit with the cows too, we have a visit option for both groups. Check it out when

Silver Heron Farm
3550 Greenwood Road

PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: www.eventbrite.com)

Saturday S'mores: Camp PMV

Join us for a monthly summer camp-themed adventure at the Pickering Museum Village with Saturday Smores! This monthly event offers fresh activities, creative crafts, and, of course, delicious smores around the campfire. It’s a family-friendly experience designed to foster fun and connection, all while enjoying the great outdoors.

Pickering Museum Village
3550 Greenwood Road, Entrance and Parking at Gate 3

PICKERING ON

(For more info go to: www.pickering.ca or www.pickering.ca)

Rotary Centennial Park

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT STARTING at 7 p.m.

FROM WED AUG 6, 2025

TO WED AUG 13, 2025






Grass Park

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT STARTING at 7 p.m.


FROM THU AUG 7, 2025
(7 p.m.)

Music in the Park - Whitby

Music in the Park will be returning in 2025 so you can listen live to great music from local musicians.

Wednesdays starting June 25 at 7 p.m. in Rotary Centennial Park located at 800 Brock Street South and Thursdays starting July 3 at 7 p.m. in Grass Park in Brooklin located at 41 Baldwin Street. Please note, parking at Brooklin United Church is reserved for private functions and therefore not available.

Rotary Centennial Park
800 Brock St S,

WHITBY ON

For more info go to: www.whitby.ca

Thursdays
Waterfront Concerts (Millennium Square)

7:00 - 9:00 pm
 

Fridays
Rick Johnson Memorial Park

5:30 - 7:30 pm

*No Rick Johnson Park Concert on August 22

 

Sundays
Esplanade Park

2:00 - 4:00 pm

*No Esplanade Park Concerts on August 10 or August 31

Music in the Park - Pickering

The City of Pickering proudly presents the 2025 Summer Concert Series.

Join the City of Pickering on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting in July for the annual Summer Concert Series. Bring your lawn chairs and best dance moves to any of our three locations and dance to a variety of live music all summer long.

Waterfront Concerts (Millennium Square)
Liverpool Road

PICKERING ON

For more info go to: www.pickering.ca

THINGS TO DO

To find out all things "Durham Region", click on the link below.

It contains THINGS TO DO, latest news stories and more.






(For more info go to: durhamregion.com)

Civic Holiday

Civic Holiday is a public holiday in Canada celebrated on the first Monday in August. Though the first Monday of August is celebrated in most of Canada as a public holiday, it is only officially known as "Civic Holiday" in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, where it is a territorial statutory holiday.

In Toronto, the Civic Holiday is also known as Simcoe Day.

For more info go to: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Holiday

CNE Toronto - The Canadian National Exhibition

The Canadian National Exhibition, better known as ‘The Ex’ to locals, is the event that Toronto’s beloved Exhibition Place is named for. To say there’s a lot to see at the Canadian National Exhibition is an understatement—this is Canada’s biggest annual fair and dates back almost 150 years.

For more info go to: www.destinationtoronto.com