When you think of Mississauga, do you think of the shopping and the city centre? How about the architecture? While those are a big part of what’s put our city on the map, it’s also just the tip of the iceberg.
Mississauga is proud to be a multi-ethnic city full of diverse communities. Here are just some of the things that make Mississauga one of Ontario’s best cultural hotspots.
Our Rich Heritage
Mississauga’s roots trace back centuries, before the time of European settlement. The lands which constitute the present-day City of Mississauga are part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations.
Now the sixth largest city in Canada, Mississauga’s history incorporates the amalgamation of many villages, including Port Credit and Streetsville. Mississauga takes pride in preserving its heritage and representing lived experiences. Sauga Culture maintains multiple museums – Benares Historic House, Bradley Museum and Leslie Log House – all heritage buildings that are open to the public (typically for free!) to explore history and culture.
Our Flourishing Foodie Scene
Food is at the heart of many cultures, so it’s no surprise that a city as diverse as Mississauga has a thriving, multicultural food scene. There are over 1,200 restaurants throughout the city serving up cuisines from over 150 countries. In fact, Mississauga is so beloved by foodies, it is also the venue for one of Ontario’s most popular series’ of food festivals, Night Market TO, which features a variety of food vendors at its events.
Our Commitment to the Arts
When you visit Mississauga, you’ll find that art is everywhere. Through the city’s Public Art Master Plan, Mississauga commissions thought-provoking public art to enhance the city, which you can tour with the public art map. Beyond this, Mississauga also recognizes a poet laureate to elevate the literary arts within the community, and offers a Resident Artist Program to provide opportunities for emerging artists.
Organizations such as the Mississauga Arts Council and Visual Arts Mississauga also help to bring the joy and knowledge of the arts to everyone in our community, growing our arts scene. The Art Gallery of Mississauga is a must-visit spot, whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or just starting to learn. This free, not-for-profit gallery aims to reflect the diversity of not only Mississauga, but all of Canada, and enable visitors connect meaningfully to contemporary art.
Our Sports & Entertainment Options
From bustling night life spots to world-class concerts, Mississauga has entertainment options for everyone through its saugaLIVE hub. The heart of our city, Celebration Square, features family-friendly amenities like a wading pool and skating rink, as well as the Living Arts Centre plays host to some of the world’s most talented performers, from ballet troupes to rock stars, as well as our own local orchestras. With thousands of seats, the Paramount Fine Foods Centre draws in big names performing everything from music to comedy.
Of course, the Paramount arena is also home to our junior OHL team, the Mississauga Steelheads, and our NBA G League team, the Raptors 905. For sports lovers, catching a game is an incredible opportunity to see future pro players without the hefty ticket pricetags.