Caribbean festival shakes up Victoria’s Ship Point
Published 8:30 am Monday, March 2, 2026
For the first time in Victoria’s history, an entire food vendor lineup at a major public event featured exclusively Caribbean cuisine for the return of the DWTN Winter Lime event at Ship Point.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, everything from jerk chicken and doubles to patties and plantain was part of the festival that highlighted five Caribbean food vendors.
Organized by the Vancouver Island Caribbean Hub, the event is inspired by the Trinidadian term “lime,” meaning to gather and enjoy good company. The festival invites visitors to step outside, embrace community, and celebrate Caribbean heritage in an outdoor winter setting.
“In many ways, Winter Lime is our way of bringing sunshine to February,” noted Kara Randall, co-founder of the Caribbean Hub. “Even in colder weather, we can create warmth through culture, music, and connection. The response last year showed us that Victoria is ready for this.”
The event closed out Black History Month with live Caribbean DJs spinning soca, reggae, calypso, and dancehall; soca fit – a high-energy Caribbean aerobics session to get attendees moving; cultural storytelling, trivia, and interactive activities highlighting Afro-Caribbean history; a kids zone and family-friendly marketplace of 20-plus vendors; and complimentary hot cocoa.