Kaya Fest Is Bringing the Marley Family, Busta Rhymes and More to Markham This August
Kaya Fest is coming to Markham Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Julian Marley, Busta Rhymes, Shabba Ranks and more on the lineup. The all-ages music festival runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and marks Kaya Fest’s first Canadian edition.
Note: Event details, artist schedules and ticket availability can change, so check the official Kaya Fest website before heading out.
Kaya Fest Toronto 2026 Brings Reggae, Hip-Hop and the Marley Family to Markham
Kaya Fest Toronto 2026: What You Need to Know
| Date: | Saturday, August 22, 2026 |
| Time: | 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Address: | 10801 McCowan Rd., Markham, Ontario |
| Admission and Tickets: | – All ages – General Admission and upgraded admission options have been announced |
For tickets, lineup updates, and the latest festival details, visit the official Kaya Fest website
Who Is Performing at Kaya Fest Toronto?
The Marley family leads this year’s lineup, with Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley and Julian Marley all set to perform. YG Marley, Yohan Marley, Mystic Marley and other younger family members are also on the bill.
Other major names include Busta Rhymes, Shabba Ranks, Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, Nina Sky, Smoke DZA and Papoose.
Canadian artists Jully Black, Exco Levi, Kirk Diamond and TOBi are also part of the lineup.
With so many artists packed into one day, check the festival schedule closer to August 22 for set times.
Tip: A full artist schedule has not been posted on the festival site yet. Check the lineup and schedule again before leaving home so you have a better idea of when your must-see performers are taking the stage.
What Is Kaya Fest?
Stephen Marley founded Kaya Fest as a music and awareness festival built around the phrase “Education Before Recreation.”
The event brings reggae, dancehall and hip-hop artists onto the same bill while also putting a focus on culture and community.
Kaya Fest first launched in 2017 and has previously featured artists including Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Pitbull, Sean Paul, Chronixx and Wyclef Jean.
The August event brings the festival to Canada for the first time.
What Kaya Fest Tickets Include
Several admission levels have been announced for the Markham event.
General Admission gives guests entry to the festival grounds, stage viewing areas, food vendors and washrooms.
The VIP Front of Stage option adds express entry, a closer stage viewing section, VIP washrooms and direct food vendor access.
There is also a higher-priced premium tier with an elevated viewing platform, food, drinks, private washrooms, expedited entry and a gift bag for the first 100 guests entering that section.
Current prices are best checked directly through the official ticket page. Ticket inventory can change as August 22 gets closer, and the festival site notes that prices may increase.
Is Kaya Fest Worth Adding to Your August Plans?
For reggae fans, having Stephen, Damian, Ky-Mani and Julian Marley on the same festival lineup is already a big part of the draw.
Add Busta Rhymes, Shabba Ranks, several younger Marley family members and a Canadian showcase, and the schedule covers much more than one corner of reggae or hip-hop.
It is also an all-ages event, so younger fans can attend with family rather than sitting this one out.
The biggest detail still missing is the set-time schedule. Keep an eye on Kaya Fest’s official pages as August 22 gets closer, especially if there are only a few artists you do not want to miss.
Which Kaya Fest artist are you most excited to see on August 22? Drop your pick in the comments, and tell us which song you’re hoping makes the setlist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Kaya Fest is open to all ages, so younger fans can attend with family. Different ticket levels are available, so check the official event website for any age rules that may apply to certain ticket areas.
The lineup includes Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Julian Marley, Busta Rhymes and Shabba Ranks, along with YG Marley, Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, Jully Black, TOBi and more. A full schedule with individual set times has not been released yet.
Kaya Fest runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 22, 2026. Since there are many artists performing throughout the day, arriving earlier may give you more time to enter, get familiar with the festival grounds and catch opening performances.
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