Frequently Asked Questions and Festival Policies
** Updates will be made shortly **
What are the dates and times of Carassauga this year?
Festival dates for 2025 are:
Friday May 23 – Opening Ceremony ONLY – 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Pavilion locations are CLOSED)
Saturday May 24 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sunday May 25 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where is the festival located and how can I get there?
The festival takes place in various cultural and recreation centres in Mississauga, giving visitors the opportunity to “travel the world” without leaving the city.
- Mississauga Valley Community Centre – 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd
- Paramount Fine Foods Centre (5500 / 5600 Rose Cherry Place)
- Burnhamthorpe Community Centre – 1500 Gulleden Drive
- Frank McKechnie Community Centre (310 Bristol Road E.)
- Canadian Coptic Centre (1245 Eglinton Ave W)
- Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga (53 Queen ST. N)
- Sava Serbian Centre (2520 Dixie Road) Please note, this facility is not wheelchair accessible
All locations are accessible by car, bike, walk and bus.
FREE transportation on All MiWay buses and Carassauga shuttle buses connecting to all the locations when you present your Carassauga passport during the Festival hours.
Click here for Festival Site Map
What is the cost of admission and where can I purchase the ticket?
A Carassauga passport (admission ticket) is $15.00.
Kids 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an Adult Carassauga Passport holder.
Passports are available to purchase in person at the festival entrances.
Your Carassauga passport is your access to experience the delicious foods and vibrant entertainment from cultures around the world.
A passport entitles the visitor to unlimited visits to all the Cultural Pavilions with access to live performances on 13 stages, various food and cultural vendors and kids’ activities throughout the Festival weekend. The passport also allows you FREE Ridership on all MiWay regularly scheduled bus routes and on special Carassauga shuttle buses connecting all the locations during the Festival’s operating hours.
What payment methods are accepted?
Some vendors will accept debit & credit cards, and some CASH only.
PLEASE note that there are NO ATMs on site. We recommend bringing cash with you to enjoy all our pavilions have to offer.
How many countries are represented and what can I expect to see?
There are 25 cultural pavilions represented. Click here for a full list and locations.
Once inside a Pavilion, visitors are surrounded by the sights, sounds, and tastes of the country in which they are visiting. Each Pavilion depicts culture of the country of origin and provides a line up of entertainment that is offered throughout the two days. Interactive entertainment including dance classes and performances, story telling, skits, fashion shows, games, music, and theatre allows each visitor the opportunity to create their own personal idea of a “great” time. Food vendors are also on site to purchase samples of each country’s food. Many Pavilions exhibit the art of their country and hold a marketplace where visitors purchase products and souvenirs of their Pavilion’s respective country.
What activities are there for Kids?
Our Kids Zone, located at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre – South Outdoor Parking Lot, features arts and crafts, interactive activities, and Midway rides (additional cost for ride tickets)
Some Pavilion locations features cultural activities, arts and crafts and games.
Children must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times.
Can I bring outside food or alcohol?
No outside food or alcohol allowed.
There are a variety of food vendors available at the festival. Note: concession stands and vendors may sell peanuts and other nut products throughout the building. We recommend that those with nut allergies exercise extreme caution if attending the festival.
Alcohol can be purchased in licensed areas within the festival.
Is smoking or vaping allowed?
Smoking / Vaping of any kind is NOT permitted on City Property, this includes the parking lots surrounding the facility.
Can I bring my dog or other pets?
With the exception of Service Dogs, furry friends are not allowed on the festival grounds. DO NOT leave pets in the car. They will be reported and rescued by Animal Services.
Do I have to pay for parking?
No. Parking is free at all Pavilion locations.
Are the facilities wheelchair accessible?
All but one location. St. Sava Serbian Centre does not have a ramp on site.
What if I or someone I’m with suddenly becomes ill?
Paramedics are on hand at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre during the festival. Their booth is located in the outdoor fenced area at the entrance. Guests requiring first aid assistance, in any of the other festival locations, are urged to contact facility staff.
Can I get a Refund?
No refunds for admission tickets purchased. (passports)
What happens if it rains?
Carassauga is a rain or shine event. Bring an umbrella and/or rain poncho for the outdoor area.
Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a vendor?
Vendor applications are accepted from November to March. All requests must be in writing and emailed to the Pavilion with which you would like to participate. Please include your name, address, phone number, a brief description about what you sell. Pavilion contact information can be found at the bottom of their Pavilion information page.
Who do I contact if I am interested in becoming a sponsor?
Carassauga offers a full range of sponsorship packages that provides direct business building opportunities, excellent market exposure and a variety of hospitality benefits. All sponsorships can be customized to meet specific objectives, product sampling, media visibility etc. If you would like more information, please email info@carassauga.com.
Who do I contact if I would like to host a Pavilion in the Festival?
If you are a Non-Profit community group and are interested in showcasing your countries cultural, please email info@carassauga.com for more details. Pavilion applications are submitted to the Carassauga office commencing in September and are subject to Board approval.
Who do I contact if interested in volunteering?
If you would like to be a volunteer, complete our application form online found on the Volunteer page or if you would like to volunteer at one of our Pavilions, please visit their page for their contact information.
