Country comes to the city as Ontario music festival, awards show heads to Mississauga

Call it a two-step, a country two-step, a Texas two-step or any of several other names — whatever your preference, there’s likely going to be a lot of it going on in Mississauga on one particular late-spring weekend next year.

City of Mississauga officials announced today that Canada’s seventh-largest city will host the Country Music Association of Ontario’s 2024 CMAOntario Festival and Awards next May 31 to June 2.

It’ll mark the first time Mississauga has hosted the event. And they’ll do it all over again two years later, in early 2026, as Mississauga and the CMAO have also struck a deal for a repeat performance.

Organizers say larger concerts, smaller live music sessions and a variety of other activities are planned for the 2024 festival and awards weekend in Mississauga, all leading up to the 12th annual awards show to take place next June 2 at the Living Arts Centre in the downtown core.

Acting Mayor and Ward 3 Coun. Chris Fonseca said in a news release the large-scale event is a great fit for Mississauga.

“As Canada’s seventh-largest city and 2023 Music City of the Year, we are home to world-class, diverse musicians and a vibrant live music scene that attracts visitors from across Canada,” she added. “I want to thank CMAO for choosing Mississauga to hold this prestigious music festival. We look forward to celebrating Ontario’s artists and welcoming them to our city next summer.”

Jodi Robillos, Mississauga’s commissioner of community services, noted that hosting such prestigious awards events “truly highlights that we have great spaces to share and enjoy music.”

“We’re focused on amplifying Mississauga’s music scene and helping advance local artists and talent,” she added.

Earlier this year, Mississauga was named 2023 Music City of the Year by the Canadian Live Music Association and Canadian Music Week.

The city was recognized for its efforts in establishing its Music Strategy with a goal of positioning Mississauga “as an incubator for top musical talent and a national destination for live music events and festivals.”

City officials say that in 2022, Mississauga unveiled its Music Strategy: 2022-2026, which identifies 32 actions over the next five years to support the growth and development of Mississauga’s music industry.