Lining up with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival this weekend, there’s another hotspot in the city to celebrate island culture with music, food, and good vibes right along the waterfront.
Now in its third decade, Island Soul returns to Harbourfront Centre all weekend long to showcase the diversity and cultural richness of Caribbean communities. The fan-favourite festival showcases everything from live soca, reggae, and dancehall performances to storytelling, film screenings, and interactive workshops.
Held annually over the August long weekend, guests can enjoy the rhythms of Kobo Town and the Pan Fantasy Steelband, or groove to soca, dancehall, and reggae straight into their headphones at the Silent Disco. You can also watch Toronto’s DJ Starting from Scratch go toe-to-toe in a clash with The Recipee Band in an explosive musical rivalry on stage where the crowd chooses the victor.
This year, the festival is partnering with Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario, one of Ontario’s largest organizations dedicated to celebrating French-Caribbean (Creole) culture. Plus, expect bustling artisan markets and delicious Caribbean cuisine reflecting the many distinct islands of the nation.
Island Soul takes place at Harbourfront Centre, located at 235 Queens Quay W., running throughout the August long weekend. You can find the full lineup and event schedule on the Harbourfront Centre website.
