By Declan Finucane. Published May 4, 2023 at 4:55 pm

“Canada’s largest multicultural festival returns to Mississauga in three weeks.

Carassauga Festival of Cultures, in its 38th year, runs May 26-28 at various venues across Mississauga, as usual.

More details about the signature Mississauga event, which unofficially kicks off the major festival season in the city, will be revealed when Carassauga chair Marek Ruta addresses councillors next Wednesday (May 10) at the City of Mississauga’s general committee meeting.

“Festival patrons have come to love the music, dress and theatrics of artisans over the years and these performers have been one of the must-see attractions at Canada’s largest multicultural festival,” organizers say on the Carassauga 2023 website.

Festival organizers also invite people to check out the Carassauga YouTube channel for all kinds of videos of past festivals.

A 2023 Carassauga trailer video can be viewed below.

Officials also note that Cooking with Carassauga, a popular online component of the festival, returns this year as well.

“Some of the countries that we are featuring in 2023 will demonstrate how to make some of their key favourite cultural cuisines,” festival organizers say online. “If you have participated in our Cooking with Carassauga stream before, then you know how delicious some of these dishes have turned out.”

This year’s festival will celebrate some two dozen countries from all parts of the globe.

Things get started on the Friday night, May 26, with the Opening Ceremony, Parade of Nations, fireworks and a musical performance from 7 to 10 p.m.

The various pavilions then open to the public the following two days, May 27 and 28, at several locations, including the Paramount Fine Foods Centre starting at noon.

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”