It’s not summer without a huge cultural festival like the #BollywoodMonster Mashup, which returns to Mississauga’s Celebration Square in July.
The popular annual event, happening on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26, is a celebration of all things Bollywood. As always, admission is completely free!
Everyone is invited to indulge in delicious and authentic cuisine, enjoy live concerts and dance performances, and bring the whole family out for a variety of activities that even young kids will enjoy.
This year, the food festival features over 40 vendors serving up sweet and savoury South Asian staples: spicy and saucy momos, crispy masala dosas and samosas, sweet mango lassis, and much more.
Foods from other cuisines, such as savoury Middle Eastern shawarma and authentic Italian gelato and cookies, will also be available.
Entertainment-wise, get ready for a jam-packed schedule of talented performers who will take the stage at Celebration Square – including high-energy dance troupes, bands performing nostalgic Bollywood hits, and even international stars like Jyotica Tangri, known for songs like “Pallo Latke”.
As an all-ages event, the festival will offer tons of ways for families and visitors of all ages to have a good time. Bring the young ones to the Tim Hortons #BollywoodMonster KidZone area, which will feature arts and crafts, face painting, and a giant inflatable slide.
There’s also the Tim Hortons #BollywoodMonster Family Stage, where circus-style performances and theatre shows will be held to entertain children and parents alike.
For visitors who want to commemorate their time at the festival, there’s no shortage of opportunities to snap a photo: the Tim Hortons #BollywoodMonster Selfie Spot will offer photo ops themed around popular Bollywood movies and stars, while the #BollywoodMonster Love Selfie, brought to you by Jamaica Tourist Board, is a neon heart backdrop that’s perfect for snapping pics with loved ones.
Going into its 15th year, the #BollywoodMonster Mashup is one of Mississauga’s biggest annual traditions and is only getting bigger and better every year.
“Come and feast with us in celebration of our 15th anniversary!” said Vikas Kohli, Executive Director of the festival.
“I can’t wait to chow down on spicy and saucy momos, crispy masala dosas and sweet mango lassis. With new vendors being added regularly, there’s something for everyone.”
The festival is run by monstrARTity, an award-winning Mississauga non-profit that has been working to fill systemic cultural and economic gaps in underserved diverse communities since 2011.
They also run #MonsterArts, a program where professional artists teach Garba & Bhangra dance, Bollywood & Kollywood singing, ghazals and more to diverse youth and seniors, as well as #MonsterMasterclass, a free business and marketing mentorship program for artists practicing South Asian art forms.
This widely anticipated event is on for two days only from July 25-26, so save the dates! For more info, visit the festival’s website.
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