It’s almost time to welcome back North America’s biggest street party! The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is returning to the city from Aug. 1-5, and Metrolinx is proud to provide the most affordable and convenient transit options to get you to and from the celebrations.

The annual event is a colourful commemoration of Caribbean culture that fills Toronto with the sounds of reggae, calypso, tassa, zouk, salsa and rap and the delightful flavours of West Indian cuisine. The carnival will be happening just steps away from Exhibition GO, and attendees can expect to see 10,000+ masqueraders, live steelpan performers, floats and more.

Highlights of this year’s carnival include the King and Queen showcase on Aug. 1, where mas band leaders will display elaborate costumes, culminating in the crowning of the carnival's King and Queen. Attendees can also check out the Friday Night Mas at the Exhibition grounds the next evening, which will feature dazzling LED costumes and spirited dancing under the stars.

GOing to the Grand Parade

We are excited to celebrate and connect communities to the Grand Parade on Aug. 3 with special GO Train service. We’re adding special weekend service along the Milton line and Lakeshore West line, making it easier for you to get to and from the event.

Eastbound service will have trains departing from Milton GO to Union Station at 9:28 a.m., 11:58 a.m., and 2:28 p.m. Westbound service will have additional service departing from Union Station to Milton GO at 3:55 p.m., 5:55 p.m., and 8:55 p.m.

Westbound service, along the Lakeshore West line, will now have trains departing from Union Station to Exhibition GO at 1:29 p.m., 1:59 p.m., 2:34 p.m., and 2:59 p.m.

Affordable fare options

Metrolinx wants to make your journey to Toronto Caribbean Carnival as easy as possible with many affordable fare options to choose from! GO Transit’s $10 Weekend One-Day Pass is valid for travel on either Saturday, Sunday or a Holiday and GO Weekday Group Passes allow for up to five people travelling together with unlimited travel in one day. Be sure to pre-purchase these tickets online and activate your passes at least five minutes prior to boarding.

Ontario’s One Fare allows transit riders, with a PRESTO card, to only pay once when connecting to and from the TTC and GO Transit, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit. PRESTO card holders can also use code PRESTO20 at checkout and save 20 per cent on tickets for all this year's carnival events!

Plus, kids 12 and under ride free on all GO trains and buses. On July 20, the Junior Carnival Parade will take place at Neilson Park in Scarborough, where you will also find us participating in the festivities. From 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., drop by our booth to engage in family-friendly activities and snap a picture with our specially-wrapped GO Bus.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and encourage riders to plan their trip in advance and allow for extra time at all GO stations.