Some 2019 Summer Festivals and Events in the Greater Toronto Area

By Neil Armstrong

Afrofest takes place at Woodbine Park on July 6 & 7

Saturday, July 6, noon-11pm & Sunday, July 7, noon-8pm

Afrofest presented by Music Africa of Canada – North America’s largest African music festival, the 31^st edition.

Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East, Toronto

www.afrofest.ca

Saturday, July 6 & Sunday, July 7

Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival – A free Latin street festival

St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto

www.salsaintoronto.com

Tuesday, July 9, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival – Official Launch

Nathan Phillips Square

[Official Opening Church Service, July 7; Jr. Carnival King & Queen Showcase, July 14; Jr. Carnival Parade & Family Day, July 20; Beyond the Mas – A Celebration of Freedom, July 26; Calypso Extravaganza Show, July 28; Emancipation Day Lighting of the CN Tower, Aug. 1; King & Queen Showcase, Aug. 1; Ontario Plan Alive Show Competition, Aug, 2; Grande Parade, Aug. 3; Closing Service, Aug. 11.]

torontocarnival.ca

Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14

Carabram – Brampton’s multicultural festival. July 12, 6pm-midnight, July 13, 1pm-midnight, July 14, 1pm-7pm

Carabram.org

Friday, Aug. 2 – Monday, Aug. 5

Island Soul – a celebration of Caribbean Culture – Caribbean festival at the Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto. Reggae artist, Etana, performs on Aug. 3, 9:30-11:00 p.m.

www.harbourfrontcentre.com/islandsoul

Sunday, Aug. 4, noon-11:00 p.m.

Blockobana 2019 presented by Blackness Yes! & Blockorama in the park in Regent Park, 620 Dundas St. East, Toronto. Featuring Blackcat, Carma, Pleasure, TKBA, Nik Red, Prestige, Craig Dominic, and more.

Sunday, Aug. 4, noon-7:00 p.m.
Toronto Rum Festival: Taste the Spirit of the Islands; Ontario Place (West Island). Rum Village early pass (with tokens) $30. A 19+ event.

Sunday, Aug. 4 & Monday 5

JAMBANA One World Festival

Garden Square, 12 Main St. North, Downtown Brampton, 1:00-9:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4. Featuring Nana Mclean, Sattalites, Steele, Blessed, Chelsea Stewart, Kafinal, Warrior Love, Dance Caribe, Joshua Lucas, Soul to Soul. Free admission

Monday, Aug. 5 -- Featuring Koffee, Exco Levi & High Priest, Fujahtive performing at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St., Toronto. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Advance tickets: $40

Jambana.com

Friday, Aug. 9 – Sunday, Aug. 11

Grace Jerkfest – Centennial Park, Base of Ski Hills, Etobicoke. Gates open: Friday, 5:00-10:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 a.m-10:00 p.m.

www.jerkfestival.ca

Friday, Aug. 16, 1:00-9:00 p.m.

3^rd Annual Canadian Reggae Music Conference

Founders College, York University

Saturday, August 17, 1:00-11:00 p.m.

Rastafest Reggae Festival in recognition of Marcus Garvey’s birthday presented by Masani Productions featuring the Mighty Diamonds and Johnny Clarke.

Black Creek Pioneer Village, North Property, 7060 Jane Street (northwest corner of Jane St. & Steeles Ave. West)

Tickets: Children under 12: Free, Online: $20, At the Gate: $30

 Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18
Jamaica Summer Games and Wellness Festival, a blend of music, sport, entertainment and culture at Ashbridges Bay, Toronto. jamaicasummergames.net

Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18
Spoken Soul Fest, an arts and culture festival rooted in drawing from the Black Experience and its contribution to the arts in Canada and beyond; 918 Bathurst Street, Toronto. spokensoulfest.com

Wednesday, August 21, 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Jay Douglas & Ken Boothe at the CNE

CNE Bandshell, Exhibition Place

Saturday, Aug. 24 & Sunday, Aug. 25
Afro-Caribbean Festival at Albert Campbell Square, 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough.
scarboroughafrocaribfest.com

Wednesday, August 28, 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Ossie Gurley and The Truth & David Rudder and The Contraband

CNE Bandshell

Friday, Aug. 30-Sept. 2
One Love Festival, A Labour Day weekend event at Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave., North York 

September 4-20

CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, the 14^th edition

Caribbeantalesfestival.com