Caribana Ignite
Visit Caribana Ignite
We’re partnering with Caribana Arts Groups to present Caribana Ignite. The vibrant summer street party will showcase the true essence of carnival and the spirit of the Caribbean.
With a shift away from the traditional parade, Caribana Ignite will take on a street performance and street party format that will give you a front-row seat on the carnival runway. Carl Zehr Square in Downtown Kitchener will be transformed into Carnival Village, where you can enjoy the diversity of Caribbean culture and arts.
Day one: Friday, August 21 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Day two: Saturday, August 22 from noon to 6 p.m.
Location: Carl Zehr Square and King Street between Water and Frederick
Entertainment and activities
Day one: Friday, August 21
The family-friendly glow party will kick off our weekend of celebration! This jam-packed evening will feature the Caribbean's sights, sounds and flavours, as well as music, dancing, food and more.
- time: 6 to 10 p.m.
- location: Carl Zehr Square
Day two: Saturday, August 22
Meet us on the road to experience the vibrancy and energy of carnival with this spectacular street parade! Revellers will travel along King Street showcasing stunning costumes, energetic dance, and live music with steel drums, soca and reggae. The party will continue at Carl Zehr Square a vibrant cultural celebration that will include food trucks, vendors and music, along with a kids' zone on Gaukel Street.
- time: noon - 6 p.m.
- location: Carl Zehr Square and King Street
Turn it up and ignite the vibes
Food and drink
Grab a bite from a food truck while you dance the night away and take in the Caribbean vibes.
You can also check out one of our downtown patios for a parade-side meal.
Parking and transit
However you get downtown, there are options available:
- transit
- vehicle and bike parking
- plan your route
- bus parking and drop-off
Transit
Hop off the ION at either the Kitchener City Hall or Victoria Park station for a quick walk. Central Station is a short walk away, as well.
GRT routes 7, 8, 20 and iXpress 204 stop within walking distance of City Hall and Carl Zehr Square.
Vehicle and bike parking
Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage, as well as other City of Kitchener parking garages or lots around Downtown Kitchener. Visit our parking locations page to find somewhere to park.
If you're visiting after 5 p.m. on Thursday or Friday, park for free at a city-owned surface lot. On Saturday and Sunday, park for free in the City Hall parking garage. Visit our hourly parking page to find parking costs outside of those times.
Secure bike parking is available in the City Hall parking garage.
You can pay for parking in surface lots through the Passport Parking app. Download the app, available both on iOS & Android. You can also pay for parking at the kiosks in parking garages and surface lots.
Plan your route
Check road closures on your route before coming downtown.
Bus parking and drop-off
Bus drop-off will be in front of the Duke Street entrance to City Hall, between College and Young Streets.
Busses can park in the Bramm Street Yards parking lot (55 Bramm Street). Please send us an email to let us know when you plan to arrive.
The 2026 event season is sponsored by:
Contact Us
City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.