Biggest multicultural festival in Canada arrives in Mississauga

A parade of nations will make its way into Mississauga on Friday night to kick off the largest multicultural festival in Canada.

Featuring pavilions representing 25 countries, Carassauga Festival of Cultures, in its 39th year, runs Friday through Sunday at various venues across Mississauga, as usual.

Things get started with the opening ceremony, parade of nations, fireworks and a musical performance on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. Admission is free, on a first-come first-served basis, and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

“Witness our parade of nations showcase as we reveal our cultural pavilions that will be featured at the 2024 festival weekend and dance the night away as we feature local artists,” Carassauga organizers said on the festival website.

The 25 pavilions then open to the public on Saturday from noon until 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 7 p.m. at several locations, including the Paramount Fine Foods Centre.

The signature Mississauga event unofficially kicks off the major festival season in the city, which continues into September.

Carassauga organizers say those who attend each year have come “to love the music, dress and theatrics of artisans” who perform.

“Each of our pavilions showcases their artistic culture through singers, dancers and musical bands, giving visitors the opportunity to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the country being represented,” festival officials said on Carassauga’s website.

“Carassauga Festival of Cultures has become an important annual event in Mississauga’s calendar and its popularity has steadily increased in recent years. As the largest multicultural festival in Canada, taking place at the end of May each year, it celebrates the diversity of our city through entertainment, food and culture.”

Including a wide array of nations from Canada and the U.S. to Ireland, Portugal, China and many others, this year’s festival does its best to touch all parts of the globe, organizers said.

Thirteen festival stages will host performances every hour, organizers noted, adding entertainment for kids is also a key part of the festival experience.

Carassauga passports cost $15, with children age 12 and under admitted free of charge.

The passport entitles the holder to:

• unlimited entry to all cultural pavilions throughout the weekend
• access to live performances, food vendors and kids’ activities
• free rides on MiWay buses during festival hours
• free rides on Carassauga shuttle buses during festival hours
• free parking at all locations

Carassauga 2024 takes place at various cultural and recreation centres in Mississauga, giving visitors the opportunity to “travel the world” without leaving the city, organizers note.

Locations are:

• Mississauga Valley Community Centre
• Paramount Fine Foods Centre
• Burnhamthorpe Community Centre
• Frank McKechnie Community Centre
• Canadian Coptic Centre
• Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga
• Sava Serbian Centre (this facility is not wheelchair accessible)

Free transportation is available on MiWay buses and Carassauga shuttle buses connecting all the locations during festival hours to those with Carassauga passports.

New to Carassauga this year, on-board tour guides will give those on the shuttle buses a little history and culture lesson.

(Cover photo: Carassauga Festival)

A 2023 Carassauga trailer video can be viewed below.