Twin Cities Carifest

Twin Cities Carifest (Carifest) began as a grass-roots celebration of the Caribbean cultural heritage in the mid ’90s. Now approaching our 30th anniversary, Carifest has grown beyond a festival for all ages and backgrounds, to the go-to community leader.

The Festival, Carifest, is the ultimate arts fusion experience featuring:

Colorful Caribbean flair, danceable live calypso and reggae beats, vibrant parade costumes (known throughout the Caribbean as “Playing ‘Mas”). Each element is as diverse as the islands themselves.  

The Steel drum is celebrated as the only instrument developed in the 20th century. Carifest welcomes all to participate in the community Steel band group to share the pride and joy of the Caribbean.

The unique culinary offerings, as the festival boasts the largest collection of Caribbean food vendors in the mid-west. Some come looking for doubles, jerk meats, roti and curry, fish offering to name a few.

Carifest has been dubbed, “The Great Caribbean Get-to-gether” as friends and families plan annual meet up at Carifest, in July.

Carifest has evolved as the core community body for Caribbean life and activities in the Twin Cities. 

Over the past two decades, the group has spearheaded relief activities as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods ravaged several of the Caribbean states. Relief for Haiti earthquake, Hurricanes in Antigua, Bahamas, St. Vincent, floods in Trinidad & Guyana, are a few of the projects. Caribbean Relief is now a standing fundraising event for the group.

Food & holiday baskets for the less fortunate in the community is an ongoing event

Business to business Connect and Cultural exchange

Carifest is a focus for exposing community cultural groups, performers, artists of all media, to opportunities in the Twin Cities and surrounding states. Performances, not just at the festival, but Carifest receives numerous requests for and place artists at many events, throughout the year.

Connecting businesses to businesses, friendly to Caribbean Community, not only helps those businesses, but also is a great source of sponsorship opportunity for Carifest.

Carifest works hard to connect & garner opportunities for the Caribbean community in cultural, family, sports & entertainment, as well as business endeavors, throughout the Twin Cities and the Upper Midwest.

Caribbean culture in the Twin Cities is an amazing and diverse blend of people, music, dance, food, art and sports. We encourage you to make your mark on Carifest, its community activities & project, and one of the premier summer festivals in Twin Cities. Attendance at Carifest is on the rise as the number of individuals and businesses recognize the value of a community enrichment event that promotes a greater respect for diversity and inspires visitors of all ages.