Largest multicultural festival in Canada celebrates 40 years in Mississauga

The largest multicultural festival in Canada will celebrate its 40th year in Mississauga in just over three weeks.

Featuring pavilions representing some two dozen countries, Carassauga Festival of Cultures runs May 24-25 at various venues across Mississauga, as usual.

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.

Those wanting a sneak peek of the 40th annual festival will gather this Friday night at the Small Arms Inspection Building on Lakeshore Road East as a “parade of nations” officially reveals the countries to be represented at this year’s multi-day festival.

“Enjoy our spectacular cultural performances and sample ethnic cuisines,” organizers say of Friday’s kickoff event.

To attend the “family friendly” kickoff event, you must register ahead of time. Admission is free.

“Witness our Parade of Nations showcase as we reveal our cultural pavilions that will be featured at the 2025 festival weekend and dance the night away as we feature local cultural performances,” organizers added of this week’s event.

Fast-forward three weeks and tens of thousands of festival-goers will visit the many cultural pavilions over two days — Saturday, May 24 from noon till 11 p.m. and Sunday, May 25 from noon till 7 p.m.

Carassauga admission is $15 per person, with kids ages 12-under admitted free of charge.

Nations outside Canada represented at the upcoming festival include Egypt, China, India, Ireland, Iraq, Pakistan, Portugal and Poland, to name a few.

Cultural pavilions will be set up at various venues including the Paramount Fine Foods Centre (which will host the majority of pavilions), Canadian Coptic Centre, Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga, St. Sava Serbian Centre and the Frank McKechnie Community Centre.

“Carassauga Festival of Cultures has become an important annual event in Mississauga’s calendar and its popularity has steadily increased in recent years,” organizers said earlier on the festival website. “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.”

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

(Cover photo: Carassauga Festival)