Photo: caribana_toronto on Instagram 

For anyone looking for a spicy escape from everyday life, the 2016 Toronto Caribbean Carnival is set to hit Toronto this weekend. Also unofficially known as Caribana, this annual cultural festival first made its colourful entrance in 1967.

This year, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade takes place on July 30, and starts off at Exhibition Place. The parade serves as a major highlight of the Caribana festivities, and is the main attraction of the event.

Paradegoers will be able to take in the breathtaking floats and vibrant masquerade (or mas) costumes along the Lakeshore Parade route. Along with the pops of vivid colour, keep your eyes open for the pumping beats of calypso and soca. Traditional steelpan drummers will set the mood of the day, while the event’s after parties promise to keep the vibes going into the wee hours.

Photo: caribana_toronto on Instagram 

This year, the Caribana party circuit is slated to include a Champagne Showers celebration at Orchid Nightclub. Meanwhile, the Carnival in the 6ix celebration at Sound Academy will also bring the beats, with hip-hop artist Fabolous hosting the event.

With traditional Caribbean eats like jerk chicken and rice and peas, there’s also no shortage of culinary delights at Caribana. Whether you’re in the mood to twerk, toss back cocktails or simply admire the magnificent costumes, Caribana 2016 just may be the hottest Toronto weekend of the summer.