Caribbean culture, music and food to take over downtown Belleville this weekend

The sights, sounds and flavours of the Caribbean will take over downtown Belleville this weekend as the annual Belleville Caribbean Festival returns with a full day of music, dancing, food and family-friendly activities.

The annual festival, organized in collaboration with the Downtown Belleville District BIA, the City of Belleville, Discover Belleville and B.C.A.C.O Nonprofit, will take place along Front Street on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 from noon to 8 p.m, transforming the downtown core into a celebration of Caribbean culture.

The annual festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean islands, showcasing Caribbean traditions to foster cultural appreciation through entertainment, cuisine and shared experiences for residents and visitors.

One of the event’s highlights will be the Caribbean Festival Parade, which begins at 1 p.m. at the Quinte Courthouse. The parade will travel east along Bridge Street before turning north onto Front Street, where participants in will continue the celebration.

Event organizers said visitors can browse food vendors serving Caribbean-inspired dishes, enjoy a stacked lineup of live entertainment from noon to 7:30 p.m., and partake in family-friendly activities including face painting, balloon twisting, a crafting corner, and a bouncy obstacle course.

To accommodate the event, Front Street will be closed between Victoria Avenue and Bridge Street for the duration of the festival. Motorists can also expect temporary traffic disruptions between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. while the parade makes its way through downtown.

With free admission and activities running throughout the day, organizers are encouraging residents to come downtown, explore the festival, and show support for your Caribbean friends and neighbours.

You can review the full entertainment schedule in the City of Belleville website.