Masqueraders braved the heat and lit up the streets of Downtown Montreal for the annual Carimas Parade on Saturday, blending together music, dance and vibrant costumes to celebrate Caribbean cultures and traditions in the city.
Organized by the Caribbean Coalition Network of Montreal, Carimas aims to promote unity by sharing the joys of Carnival with performers and attendees alike.
Related:
For Carimas spokesperson Sharon Baptiste, the parade is an important event to bring the community together and to share the importance of Caribbean culture with younger generations.
“It is important because the Caribbean community is much smaller than it used to be, so we want whoever is here to know that we have a Caribbean community here,” Baptiste said. “Not only a community, but we have a culture that is thriving.”
Making its way down René-Lévesque Blvd., the parade featured twelve different bands—or groups of costumed performers—wearing different colourful outfits adorned with gems, feathers and jewels. Every band is broken down into sections, each with its own unique costume design that fits into the band’s overarching theme and identity.
Sharlene Henry, a masquerader in the band Rayne Carnival, says that the parade has deep and important roots in Caribbean history and culture.
“It’s about freeing yourself, it’s about the freeing of slaves in the Caribbean, it’s about emancipation, it’s about being yourself and loving each other and having a good time.”
Henry and her section-mates—all wearing pink, gemmed outfits adorned with headpieces and jewel-toned feathers—underlined the importance of diversity in Caribbean celebrations.
“We feel really good because we look good, and we feel empowered as women that we are able to express ourselves in any way we feel comfortable, no matter our shape, size, color or race,” Henry said.
Louese Hu, the winner of Miss Chinese Montreal 2025, attended the festival to walk in the parade and to celebrate her Chinese heritage. She believes that the celebration of collectivity is a key part of the event.
“Everyone is so loud, that’s what makes the city shine,” Hu said. “Montreal is known for the culture, the art, of course, and all the colorfulness from everyone in the communities, different communities, all together.”
Jamaican-Montrealer Delroy, who takes part in the festivities every year, also remarked that upbeat music and contagious energy are cornerstones of the event.
“The atmosphere is wild,” he said. “It goes like this every year, it’s always crazy. There’s a lot of people and, honestly, it’s one of the best places you can be in Montreal at this time.”
Beyond the lively atmosphere, Delroy keeps coming back to Carimas because it is the ideal place for him to celebrate his heritage surrounded by his community.
“Honestly, for me it represents a lot because my heritage is Jamaican. So to see everybody coming out here just to enjoy, just to get to know what the culture is for me, it’s a lot. Emotionally, it’s a lot.”
For Montrealers wanting to keep the energy going after the parade, Carimas offers a “Sizzle” after-party at Place du Canada Park, with DJs playing a mix of soca, dancehall and afrobeat tracks to bring the crowd to their feet, and food and beverage vendors to keep attendees cool as they dance the day away.
