Toronto Caribana (City Carnival) – August 4 – 7, 2007

The two-week festival—the largest Caribbean bash in North America —culminates in four massive events, at various venues, running from Thursday to the holiday Monday.

King & Queen Extravaganza

Contestants from the festival’s 16 mas bands don gigantic costumes—often measuring 20 feet in all directions—and dance for the chance to be named the festival’s official monarchy. Expect some mean boogeying—last year, a would-be king induced audience squeals by shaking his gold-painted bum. Steel drums accompanied by soca and calypso singers provide the melodies.

When: Aug. 3.
Where: Lamport Stadium, 1155 King St. W.
How much: $26–$31.

Pan Alive

Steel orchestras from the Ontario Steelpan Association compete before a panel of judges. Players showcase their knack for the steel pan, while hammering out everything from calypso to crowd-pleasing jazz and pop songs.
When: Aug. 4.
Where: Lamport Stadium, 1155 King St. W.
How much: $20.

Parade

The parade’s 39th incarnation, packed with floats, bands, surreal costumes and thousands of dancing revellers, shimmies down Lake Shore from Exhibition Place to Parkside Drive.

When: Aug. 5.
Where: Lake Shore Blvd. W., between Exhibition Place and Parkside Dr.
How much: CNE grandstands $21; free along Lake Shore Blvd.

Arts & Cultural Festival

Olympic Island is ripe with family-friendly activities for the lazy post-parade day. A marketplace features Caribbean crafts, visual arts and cuisine; tots can make their own masquerade wear in the Children’s Village. Partied-out festival-goers can cap off the weekend by lounging in the sun against a musical backdrop: local and international artists play island sounds from reggae to creole to chutney.

When: Aug. 6 and 7.
Where: Olympic Island.
How much: $19.