A world of food, music and culture awaits in Brampton this weekend

Long before Brampton became one of Canada’s most diverse cities, Carabram was celebrating the cultures that would help shape it.

When Carabram first launched in 1982, Brampton was a much smaller city, and the festival featured just four cultural pavilions.

More than four decades later, Brampton has grown into one of Canada’s most multicultural communities, and Carabram has grown alongside it, returning this weekend for its 44th edition as one of Ontario’s longest-running continuous community festivals.

What began with pavilions representing Italy, Ukraine, Scotland and the West Indies has evolved into a citywide event showcasing cultures from around the world.

Running from July 10 to 12, the annual festival transforms recreation centres, community halls and cultural venues across Brampton into a celebration of the city’s diverse communities through authentic food, live entertainment, music, dance and cultural displays.

“For more than four decades, Carabram has been a joyful expression of Canada’s multicultural spirit,” Carabram Board president Angela Johnson said in a message welcoming visitors. “As we celebrate our 44th year, the festival continues to honour the immigrant stories, shared traditions, and community pride that built this country and define Brampton today.”

Johnson said Carabram has become a place “where cultures meet, families connect, and newcomers find a sense of home.”

“Every pavilion and performance reflects the belief that Canada’s strength comes from unity, from celebrating who we are together,” she said.

Mayor Patrick Brown said the festival continues to showcase one of Brampton’s defining strengths.

“Brampton is Canada’s most vibrant mosaic of cultures, and that rich blend of backgrounds is one of our greatest strengths,” Brown said in a greeting included in the festival guide. “Carabram is a unique opportunity to experience the world right here at home — sample diverse cuisines, enjoy vibrant music and dance performances, and take part in meaningful cultural exchanges that bring our communities closer together.”

This year’s festival features 17 pavilions located throughout the city:

• Pavilion of Cultures (Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, Italy, Vietnam, Ukraine, Mauritius and Mexico) — Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Africa — Earnscliffe Recreation Centre
• Bangladesh — Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Canada — Brampton Masonic Hall
• Caribbean — Century Gardens Recreation Centre (North Rink)
• China — Jim Archdekin Recreation Centre
• Eelam — Brampton Soccer Centre
• Hawaii-Polynesian — Earnscliffe Recreation Centre
• India — Jim Archdekin Recreation Centre
• Ireland — The Lions Hall
• Italy — Pavilion of Cultures at Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Japan — Pavilion of Cultures at Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Mauritius — Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Mexico — Greenbriar Recreation Centre
• Nepal — Jim Archdekin Recreation Centre
• Philippines — Century Gardens Recreation Centre (Auditorium)
• Portugal — Vasco da Gama Portuguese Cultural Centre
• Punjab — Brampton Curling Club
• Vietnam — Century Gardens

Festival organizers are reminding returning visitors that several pavilion locations have changed this year. The Pavilion of Cultures has moved to Greenbriar Recreation Centre, the Portugal Pavilion is now at the Vasco da Gama Portuguese Cultural Centre, and the Africa and Hawaii-Polynesian pavilions will once again share Earnscliffe Recreation Centre.

Visitors with a valid Carabram passport can also take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service between participating venues throughout the weekend.

A Carabram passport costs $12 and provides admission to all pavilions. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult passport holder.

More information and passport purchases are available at www.carabram.org.

Carabram pavilion map