Edmonton 
Lively performances, tantalizing cuisine, vibrant cultural displays, and the pageantry of the Caribbean will take over downtown Edmonton when the Cariwest festival returns this weekend.
Credit: Cariwest
The festival runs from August 7 to 9 at Sir Winston Churchill Square, with Western Carnival Development Association (WCDA), with its biggest street moment arriving Saturday, August 8. That is when the 1.7-kilometre parade moves from 108th Street and 99th Avenue to Churchill Square.
Beyond the procession, the schedule includes live concerts, dance, steelpan sessions, children’s activities, food vendors and VIP packages.
What to expect:
- Costumes open the celebration: Churchill Square opens Friday at 5 p.m. with DJ Sherman, followed by an opening ceremony dance group and the formal program. Individual competitors, Junior King and Queen entrants, and King and Queen contestants take the stage before CaribFlaymz performs and winners are announced later that evening.
- The parade owns Saturday afternoon: Edmonton’s largest summer parade starts at noon and runs until 2:30 p.m. The route covers 1.7 kilometres, beginning at 108th Street and 99th Avenue, travelling along Jasper Avenue and finishing at Churchill Square. Organizers advise spectators to find suitable viewing space early along the route.
- Saturday Entertainment: DJ Sherman opens the square, followed by the parade of bands, DJ AVI, DJ Iceman, DJ Snuggs, G-bolo and Jouvert. From 8 to 10 p.m., the Cariwest Concert Series features Jaxx, Erphann Alves and Ding Dong, before DJ Sherman closes the night at 11 p.m.
- Sunday Entertainment: The program begins at 11 a.m. and includes Diversity Dance Group, Pan Dynamix, Cree Williams and Elvis Prime, Saint & The Full 100, DJ Shellboss and DJ Gamegirl. Karaoke, a trip giveaway, Calypso and Iland Band follow before DJ Sherman’s final set at 9 p.m.
- Kids Zone: The Kidz Zone runs August 9 from 1 to 6 p.m. Culture classes cover steelpan, Anansi stories, drumming, dance and Moko stilt walking. You can also find hair braiding, face painting, crafts, a bouncy castle, candy and a train ride costing one food ticket.
- Food & Shopping: The Caribbean Village spans all three days at Sir Winston Churchill Square and brings together eight food trucks and 12 food tents, serving Jamaican, Caribbean, Indian, Afro-inspired, sweet and savoury dishes from local vendors. Shop at merchant stalls and experience vibrant festivities following the parade.
- VIP Area: While the festival and concerts are free, VIP passes range from $40 to $175, while the all-weekend option costs $155. Selected Saturday packages include a backstage meet-and-greet with Yung Bredda, stage-side seating, appetizers and a welcome drink.
Credit: Cariwest
Trip Planning — Cariwest 2026
What: Introduced more than 40 years ago in Edmonton by the Western Carnival Development Association (WCDA), the festival provides a platform to share popular Caribbean music, cuisine and Caribbean carnival culture with Western Canada.
When:
August 7 to 9, 2026
August 7th, 2026 – 5:00PM – 11:00PM
August 8th, 2026 – 11:00AM – 11:00PM
August 9th, 2026 – 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Parade – August 8, 2026 | Noon to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square, Downtown Edmonton
Parade: From 108th st and 99 Ave via Jasper Ave, 100 St NW to Churchill Square
Road Closure on August 8 (No parking permitted. Vehicles will be tagged and towed):
- Jasper Ave, from 100 St to 109 St
- 108 St from 99 Ave to Jasper Ave
- 100 St from Jasper Ave to 103A Ave
- 99 Ave from 107 St to 109 St
How much: Free admission
