Carassauga is an incorporated non-profit volunteer community organization, which will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2020. It operated for the first time in 1986 with 10 Pavilions, initially operating only on Saturday and Sunday.  It was created in response to a challenge put out by  Mayor Hazel McCallion to all ethno-cultural groups at a meeting of her calling in the old City Hall in the fall of 1985.  It quickly evolved into a 3-day, 22 hour event.

The Festival has become an important annual event in Mississauga’s calendar, and its popularity has steadily increased in recent years.  It is the largest multicultural Festival in Canada in terms of visits & ethnic diversity representation.

The organization attributes its success to the many volunteer leaders on the Board who have tirelessly devoted their time and expertise to running the annual 3-day event. In 2019, 4,315 Performers supported by 5,568 Volunteers created an incredible multi cultural experience.  The community’s commitment over the years to honouring and showcasing Mississauga’s multicultural landscape is unsurpassed.

Carassauga Facts 2019

• 29 countries represented at cultural Pavilion Locations, throughout Mississauga
• 4,315 Performers and 192 Artisans
• 911 Performances
• 370,250 Recorded Visits
• 5,568 Volunteers involved with the Festival
• 228,025 Volunteer Hours Donated
• 24 Hours of Operation