The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) is pleased to announce that the Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour is returning for its sophomore year in Toronto after a hugely successful and sold-out run in 2024. The interactive tour takes participants through Eglinton West’s cultural district, exploring shops, restaurants, art, and music.
This free guided tour begins at 2353 Dufferin Street and ends at Marlee Avenue. Dive into the historical landmarks of Little Jamaica, while listening to tracks by local artists. Stops featured include Jimmy Wisdom’s Barbershop, Sunshine Sounds, Monica’s Beauty Salon, Rap’s Restaurant, Reggae Lane, and more.
This year’s tour will also include stops at select food locations, allowing participants to enjoy various Caribbean dishes and neighbourhood favourites.
Now back by popular demand, the 2025 dates are July 13th & 27th, August 3rd & 17th, and September 7th & 21st.
As the first music focused walking tour in Little Jamaica, the CBMA rocked sold-out tours throughout the 2024 summer season and captured the attention of several organizations including CBC Radio, CBC TV, City TV, Global TV, AMI TV, Talk 1010 radio, 105.1FM, Jazz FM, the Toronto Star, Caribbean Camera, and The Jamaica Gleaner.
The area known as ‘Little Jamaica’ stretches along Eglinton Avenue West from Marlee Avenue to Keele Street. With the influx of immigrants between the 1960’s to 1990’s, it became home to many people from the Caribbean. They opened several businesses including beauty salons, record stores, studios, and restaurants.
The strip attracted the biggest names in the industry. Not only was it home for reggae, but housed calypso, dub, ska, and rocksteady, among other music genres. Behind these genres were community greats like Leroy Sibbles, King Culture, Nana McLean, Jay Douglas, Jackie Mittoo, and more.
Join the CBMA in this educational tour and learn more about the many culturally significant contributions this enclave has to offer. Special thanks to the York-Eglinton BIA.
This project has been funded by the City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund, as part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. To book your tour visit their landing page.