The Rochester West Indian Festival Organization, Inc.’s Carifest Parade and Festival is a cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, visual and performing arts in the City of Rochester NY. Now in its 39th year Carfiest is the largest Caribbean Festival in Western New York. Carifest is a one day celebration that continues to support tourism, culture, heritage and the arts in a bold and innovative way.

The annual costume parade highlights the traditional carnival spirit of the Caribbean, with its flamboyant costumes and music. The parade runs through Downtown Rochester ending near the festival site. This festival is designed to appeal to a wide audience and includes performances of cultural, folk, reggae, soca, calypso and more.The Festival incorporates performances feature outstanding local, regional and international talent. At the festival patrons can sample various foods and beverages of the Caribbean. It is a family friendly event featuring a FREE Kid’s Village that educational facts about the Caribbean, arts, crafts and free back to school Book bags with supplies for children. The processed from Carifest go towards our Annual scholarships for college bound students of Caribbean decent.

The Carifest festival and parade are held Annual on the 2^nd Saturday in August.

Carifest 2025

2024 Parade & Festival Details:

•  Attendance: 3500+
• Music Genre: Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Dancehall, Kompa, Afrobeats and more
• Demographics: 
  • ​Male: 47%, Female: 53%
  • Ages: 5 – 80

Past Sponsors:

• City of Rochester
• Monroe County
• 103.9 WDKX 
• Empire Fence
• Turnbull Heating & Air