Category

Events

New Canada Day Celebration in Port Credit Announced

By Announcement, Events, Ward 1

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 16, 2025 – Canada Day #INThePort Presented by Paint the Town Red and the Port Credit BIA scheduled for July 1, 2025.
A new Canada Day event was announced today during a media launch in Port Credit.

Canada Day #INThePort will take place on July 1, 2025, and will include a vibrant street festival followed by a symphony of fireworks launched from a barge at the mouth of the Credit River.

Paint the Town Red, Port Credit BIA, Visit Mississauga, and the City of Mississauga have collaborated to bring an unprecedented Canada Day event to Port Credit.

After significant community outcry over the postponement of the annual Paint the Town Red festival to 2026, the community groups rallied together to bring a spectacular new Canada Day event in Port Credit.

Ward One Councillor Stephen Dasko highlighted the significance of the collaborative effort to celebrate Canada Day:
“I am absolutely thrilled that this year we are taking a collaborative approach to Canada Day celebrations. A heartfelt thank you to Paint the Town Red, the Port Credit BIA, Visit Mississauga and our incredible sponsors and supporters. It’s an honour to work alongside these dedicated groups to make this partnership a reality. This collaboration is a true reflection of the incredible spirit of our community. Canada Day, especially this year, is more than just a celebration—it’s a reflection of our shared values, diversity, and pride for all the world to see. With a revamped Canada Day experience, I’m excited to see this beloved tradition move forward, bringing residents and visitors together for what will surely be a memorable day.”

The Canada Day celebration will include a road closure along Lakeshore from Stavebank Road to Hurontario Street. The Main Street in Port Credit will be lined with live music, street performers, live shows, vendors, a kid zone, and more.
The focal point on the Main Street will be a giant ferris wheel and amusement rides and games for the whole family.
The festival will attract visitors from the community and everyone from beyond Mississauga to come join in the celebrations.

Through the generous contributions of Visit Mississauga’s CEO, Victoria Clarke shares her support for building the event for the future:
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to make Canada Day #INThePort possible again this year. This longstanding event is a vibrant celebration that showcases the very best of Mississauga’s community spirit, culture, hospitality and local Canadian pride. This year’s Canada Day event will bring visitors from across the region to experience everything Port Credit and Mississauga has to offer, from live entertainment and local flavours to an unforgettable waterfront fireworks display. Visit Mississauga is honoured to play a role in bringing this celebration back to life in collaboration with our dedicated community partners and the PCBIA.”

The event will be a first Main Street road closure by the Port Credit BIA and will provide significant economic benefits to Port Credit businesses and the community.

John Pappas, Chair of the Port Credit BIA, highlights the economic benefit of activated Main Streets and celebrating Canada Day #INThePort: “Our Port Credit Main Street businesses are more than just places to shop or dine —they are the pulse of our community, driving job creation, sustaining entrepreneurs, and fostering economic growth. The Taste of Port Credit inspired street festival invites attendees to support local and indulge their taste buds with a diverse selection of cuisine and beverages from Port Credit’s renowned restaurant scene and experience our unique retail businesses. Canada Day #INThePort provides a unifying event that celebrates Canada and supports our local businesses and economy. Our vibrant, safe, and clean streets that are animated with these large-scale festivals have a direct and significant impact on our community.”

The enormity of the Canada Day #INThePort celebration required the support and collaborative efforts of the community groups involved including the support of Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish who has shared:
“Canada Day is a cherished tradition in Mississauga, and I’m overjoyed to see our community come together to create something truly spectacular with Canada Day #INThePort. This celebration is a testament to the creativity and vibrant spirit that defines Port Credit and our city. From the lively street festival to the fireworks display, this event will offer something special for everyone. I invite residents and visitors to join us in celebrating our shared pride, diversity, and love for Canada in the heart of Port Credit to make this Canada Day unforgettable.” The festival will culminate in an extraordinary fireworks display launched from a barge at the mouth of the Credit River. Fireworks in Port Credit have been a long-standing Canada Day tradition in Port Credit.”

This year Canada Day #INThePort will be creating a fireworks show unlike any other in Mississauga. Paint the Town Red Chair John Bozzo expressed his dedication to an unparalleled Canada Day celebration:
“As founder and chair of Paint the Town Red, I was devastated when earlier this year we had to announce the cancellation of our Canada Day Celebration. However, I am, at this time very pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Port Credit BIA to present Canada Day #INThePort, this July 1. My promise to you is that we will be providing the most spectacular fireworks display Port Credit has ever witnessed.”

Canada Day #INThePort presented by Paint the Town Red and the Port Credit BIA will take place on July 1, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Port Credit.

Greener Your City: Celebrate Earth Day In Mississauga With Meaningful Actions

By Events, Parks, Ward 1

After a year of unprecedented weather, including flooding and extreme heat, now more than ever we must try to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Small actions at the community level can make a big difference. To recognize Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, the City is hosting a series of Earth Days events from April 8 to June 7.

You can participate in family-friendly eco-crafts, plant trees in local parks, drop by a repair hub at Hazel McCallion Central Library to repair damaged household items or Bradley Museum to repair textiles and practice environmental stewardship by helping with a park cleanup. Get involved and learn how your actions can make Mississauga more sustainable and climate change resilient.

Graphic of "Earth Days. Green your city. Register now."

Event details

What

Earth Days events in Mississauga from April 8 to June 7.

Enjoy eco-crafts and a book club

Don’t trash it, repair it

Recycle clothing and electronics

Keep our green spaces clean

  • Join Mississauga Parks staff for a group litter cleanup from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at select locations.
  • Or volunteer anytime to pick up litter around your community with friends, family and co-workers.

Plant trees for climate resilience

Who

All Mississauga residents interested in participating in an Earth Days event.

Where

The events take place at various locations. Registration is required for certain events. To register, visit mississauga.ca/earth-days. Repair hubs are drop in on a first-come, first-served basis.

Become a recognized Nature Steward

Nature lovers rejoice! Mississauga is launching a new program, Mississauga Nature Stewards at Home, encouraging residents to naturalize their yards to help wildlife, reduce the impacts of climate change and create a healthy, diverse ecosystem.

Residents’ yards must:

  • Have at least five native plant species that support pollination
  • Have native plants cover at least 75 per cent of the naturalized area
  • Be free of harmful or invasive plants
  • Be pesticide and herbicide free

To join the program, residents must register their naturalized yard online. Staff will review the photographs provided during registration or visit the yard to confirm that it meets the criteria. If a resident’s yard qualifies, they will receive a free yard sign recognizing their stewardship.

Learn more at mississauga.ca/earth-days.

Calling All Local Concert Presenters! It’s Time To Showcase Your Talent In Your City!

By Announcement, Events, Ward 1

Do you produce concerts in Mississauga or know someone that does? Six lucky applicants will have the opportunity to be mentored, develop their craft and grow their business on a two-year term through the City of Mississauga’s 2025 Love Local Music program. The program is designed to help Mississauga’s aspiring concert producers, artists, curators, managers and all other types of presenters, gain the experience they need to take their business to the next level.

The annual program focuses on skill-building workshops and industry mentorship, led by Canada’s Music Incubator. Participants will also produce two ticketed concerts at the Living Arts Centre.

Successful candidates, will:

  • Receive training and mentorship on concert production fundamentals – topics include programming strategies, ticketing and concert marketing
  • Take part in ongoing professional development sessions led by industry experts
  • Learn to execute live music events
  • Produce their own concerts (one in 2025 and 2026) at a City venue with support from experienced sound technicians

Since 2021, Love Local Music has created more than 80 opportunities for local musicians and has helped 20 concert producers gain valuable experience through ticketed sales. Last year’s program featured a diverse and exciting lineup including performances by Fame Holiday, Patti Jannetta, Five and Tens, El Ciebo, Sarah Catharine and U.N. Jefferson.

The 2025 concerts will take place at the Studio Theatre in the Living Arts Centre on Saturdays from September to November.

Interested? Eligible participants must be available to attend a mandatory, in-person training session on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga and must apply by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

For more information, visit the webpage.

Putting The Poet In Poetry Month

By Announcement, Events

April is Poetry Month. To help celebrate, the City of Mississauga is offering a number of programs and activities all month long. The community is invited to attend a poetry session or workshop, open mic night, book club and take part in the sixth annual Poetry Slam at the end of the month.

Activities include:

Open Mic Night

Thursday, April 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hazel McCallion Central Library – Level 0 (stage area)

Celebrate Poetry Month with current City of Mississauga Poet Laureate, Andrea Josic and Youth Poet Laureate, Lisa Shen. Our Poets Laureate will lead a Poetry and Performance workshop before inviting poets to the stage. Register for the session.

Book Club: Let’s Talk Non-Fiction

Tuesday, April 8 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Hazel McCallion Central Library – Program Room 3B

Book Clubs are a great way to meet other readers and talk about new books or genres. Share your non-fiction reading favourites with other book lovers and discuss what you have been reading. Sign up today.

Poetry and Painting

Thursday, April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Living Arts Centre – Gallery

Come make poetic greeting cards by taking excerpts from well loved poems or our own writing and combine them with our own paintings. Perfect for gifting! Sign up today.

Poetry Workshop: Poetry and Nature

Wednesday, April 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Meadowvale Community Centre – Youth Room

Join the City of Mississauga’s Poet Laureate, Andrea Josic for a Poetry Workshop inspired by nature in the city. This workshop will include a walking tour of the Meadowvale Community Centre grounds. Participants are asked to please dress for the weather. Sign up today.

Annual Poetry Slam

Thursday, April 24 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Hazel McCallion Central Library – Noel Ryan Auditorium

Watch young literary talents in the community perform poetry and spoken word original submissions at Mississauga’s sixth annual Poetry Slam. Interested artists are invited to complete a submission package by April 16 to be considered to perform in the Poetry Slam.

Mississauga Poet Laureate, Andrea Josic and Youth Poet Laureate, Lisa Shen will be in attendance. The slam is a free event open to the entire community. Learn more.

Poetry Workshop

Wednesday, April 30 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Hazel McCallion Central Library – Program Room 2A

Work your linguistic and emotional muscles in our poetry workshop! All are invited to enjoy a variety of fun poem-writing exercises in a welcoming, judgement-free zone. Sign-up today.

For more information about Poetry Month and the activities taking place, visit the webpage.

Call for Musicians for Summer Concert Series

By Announcement, Events, Ward 1

The City of Mississauga presents the Summer Concert Series at Streetsville Village Square (Fridays), Cooksville Four Corners (Saturdays) and Port Credit Memorial Park (Sundays) during the months of July and August.

Submissions are open to Mississauga-based musicians. For musical groups, at least 50% of members must be residents of Mississauga.

Musician payments are based on the number of performers:

  • Solo musician: $414 (+HST if applicable)
  • Duo: $621 (+HST if applicable)
  • Trio: $828 (+HST if applicable)
  • Four piece: $1,035 (+HST if applicable)
  • Five piece and up: $1,242 (+HST if applicable)

Selected musicians will be contacted for scheduling upon acceptance.

Selected performers are required to produce a Certificate of Insurance on the City template or purchase 2 million dollars liability insurance naming the City of Mississauga as an additional insured. Insurance can be purchased through the City of Mississauga for $26.76.

Performances are 90 minutes in length, with an option for an intermission at the performer’s discretion.

A PA system and sound technician will be provided by the City of Mississauga. All instruments (including backline) must be provided by the performers(s).

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by a panel of local industry professionals based on artistic merit and potential for wide audience appeal. Musicians performing in all genres are encouraged to apply.

Submissions

Applications are open until Tuesday, April 8 at 11:59pm.

Apply now

Contact

For more information, contact Corey Poole, Music Development Coordinator via email at corey.poole@mississauga.ca.

2025 Mississauga Arts Awards (MARTYS) Nominations NOW OPEN!

By Announcement, Events

Calling all Mississauga artists! Nominations are now OPEN for the 30th Annual Mississauga Arts Awards (MARTYS)! Professional artists and groups who are either residents of the City of Mississauga, have a significant connection to Mississauga, or have made a major contribution to the arts within Mississauga are eligible to submit a nomination.

Nominations are due April 14, 2025, at 5 PM. Guidelines, criteria and nomination forms are located here: macarts.ca/martys

Statement on the Cancellation of the Paint The Town Red Canada Day Event

By Announcement, Events, Ward 1

For those who are not aware, the Paint the Town Red volunteer committee has decided not to have their usual Canada Day celebrations this year.

I am disappointed as I’m sure we all are, that it’s not possible to take place this year due a variety of reasons primarily because of the current economic climate and uncertainty to move forward.

The Paint The Town Red volunteer committee have worked endlessly over the years and are working on new ideas and plans for next year, which will be even more exciting.

I know how much this event means to our community, and I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts made by the dedicated volunteers who organize it every year. I understand how difficult this decision was for them.  With special thanks to Johnny Bozzo and Diane Goldsmith.

I worked closely with the group to explore all possible options to keep the event going and truly appreciate their commitment to making it happen. While it is unfortunate that we won’t be celebrating Canada Day under the direction of Paint the Town Red, I am working with other community groups to find ways of celebrating Canada Day in Ward 1.

My ongoing support and commitment will always remain with the PTTR committee, and I look forward to many more years of celebrating Canada Day in our community!