What to know
- Dancehall superstar Spice headlines JerkFest Toronto’s 25th anniversary celebrations at Centennial Park this weekend.
- The Queen of Dancehall will close the main stage on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:45 p.m.
- The festival’s featured closing acts include Patrice Roberts, Lukie D, Mr. Lexx and 450, alongside a larger lineup of local and international performers.
- JerkFest Toronto runs Aug. 7 to 9 with Caribbean food, cultural programming, cooking demonstrations and family-friendly activities.
Dancehall superstar Spice is set to headline JerkFest Toronto this weekend as the festival celebrates 25 years of Caribbean food, music and culture at Centennial Park.
JerkFest Toronto takes place at Centennial Park, located at 156 Centennial Park Rd. in Etobicoke, from Aug. 7 to 9.
The Queen of Dancehall will close out the festival’s main stage on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 p.m. and return for another headline performance on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 8:45 p.m., as thousands are expected to gather for one of Toronto’s biggest Caribbean celebrations.
Spice’s performances are expected to be among the biggest highlights of this year’s festival, and features a full weekend of live entertainment, cultural programming, cooking demonstrations and Caribbean cuisine.
The Jamaican dancehall star will be joined by a lineup of internationally recognized Caribbean artists who will also close out the main stage throughout the weekend, including soca powerhouse Patrice Roberts, reggae favourite Lukie D, dancehall veteran Mr. Lexx and rising star 450.
JerkFest Toronto main stage closing schedule
The festival’s headline performances will take place throughout the weekend, with a mix of Caribbean music stars, local talent and cultural performers taking the stage.
Friday, Aug. 7
- 450 – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8
- Patrice Roberts – 5:45 p.m.
- Lukie D – 7:10 p.m.
- Mr. Lexx – 8:20 p.m.
- Spice – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
- Patrice Roberts – 5 p.m.
- Lukie D – 6:30 p.m.
- Mr. Lexx – 7:40 p.m.
- Spice – 8:45 p.m.
The main stage will feature additional performances throughout the weekend, including local Canadian artists, DJs, steel pan musicians and more.
What else to expect at JerkFest Toronto
Beyond the headline performances, JerkFest Toronto will celebrate Caribbean culture through food, history and community programming.
Festival-goers can enjoy authentic jerk dishes, cooking demonstrations and family-friendly activities throughout Centennial Park. The festival’s Heritage Pavilion will highlight Caribbean traditions and storytelling, while the Culture Tents will feature live demonstrations and cultural experiences.
Organizers recommend taking public transit or using ride-share services, with Hollycrest Middle School designated as the drop-off and pick-up location for Uber, Lyft and taxis.
With Spice leading the closing performances and a full weekend of Caribbean entertainment planned, JerkFest Toronto is expected to be one of the city’s biggest cultural celebrations of the summer.
