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Toronto Caribbean Carnival: A Premier Platform for Business Development and Cultural Celebration

Jun 18, 2024

The Festival Management Committee (FMC) for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival will celebrate its 57th annual hosting of the festival, North America’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture, in July and early August this year. With over 2.5 million expected visitors to the City of Toronto, and millions more engaging online, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival remains a key economic driver, generating nearly half a billion dollars in economic impact. As the FMC gears up for this year’s celebrations and prepares for the 60th anniversary in 2027, they are calling on the government, the business community, the broader community, and volunteers to join them in transforming the carnival into a premier cultural showcase, educational hub and business powerhouse.

According to Jennifer Hirlehey, Executive Chair for the Board of Directors of the FMC, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival generates substantial economic activity, contributing over $480 million to Ontario’s GDP annually and supporting over 4,000 direct jobs. “It not only celebrates cultural diversity but also serves as a powerful economic engine. By partnering with us, businesses can tap into this vibrant market, enhance their brand visibility, and forge meaningful connections with an engaged and diverse audience. Businesses have a unique opportunity to leverage the Toronto Caribbean Carnival,” she said.

The FMC is seeking strategic partnerships with businesses that recognize the value of cultural engagement and economic development. The carnival’s wide-reaching impact offers businesses an unparalleled platform to promote their products and services, engage with new customers, and demonstrate their commitment to community and cultural enrichment. “The festival plays a crucial role in supporting thousands of businesses in the hospitality, food, and entertainment sectors, and it continues to be a significant driver of economic growth in Toronto,” said Hirlehey.

Mischka Crichton, CEO of the FMC formally invited businesses to be part of an iconic event. “Businesses that support the Toronto Caribbean Carnival can benefit from significant exposure and engagement opportunities”, she said. “We have tailored sponsorship packages and promotional opportunities across all carnival events.  These provide prime opportunities to enable unique installations, product sampling, and interaction with a wide range of customers” she said. For small businesses, Crichton stated that the marketplace present at every event is a prime location to showcase products and services.  Crichton also noted that the carnival has numerous advertising options, both digital and on-site, enabling small, medium and large businesses to reach a wide and diverse audience effectively. 


This year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival will host the following events:

  • Official Launch: June 15, 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Scarborough Town Centre

  • Junior King and Queen Showcase: July 14, 2024, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Scarborough Town Centre

  • Junior Carnival Parade: July 20, 2024, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Neilson Park/Malvern

  • OCPA Calypso Showcase: July 28, 2024, 5:30 p.m. (Competition at 6:30 p.m.), Ontario Science Centre

  • King and Queen Showcase: August 1, 2024, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Doors open at 5 p.m.) at Exhibition Place

  • OSA Panorama: August 2, 2024, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Doors open at 5 p.m.) at Exhibition Place

  • Friday Night Mas: August 2, 2024, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Exhibition Place

  • Grand Parade: August 3, 2024, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Grounds open till 10 p.m.) at Marilyn Bell Park/Exhibition Place/Lakeshore Blvd

  • Toronto Rum Festival: August 4, 2024, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Exhibition Place/Hotel X Barracks

  • OSA Pan In D Park: August 4, 2024, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Neilson Park/Malvern

  • Belleville Caribbean Carnival: August 17, 2024, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Belleville, Ontario

  • TCC Gala: September 2024

  • Carib-Okie: Fall Series 2024

  • Carnival Winter Market: December 7, 2024

  • Parang Night: December 7, 2024

For more information about the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, VIP packages, and event schedules, please visit www.torontocarnival.ca.

Contact: media@torontocarnival.ca

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