Multicultural Festival!

COME ONE COME ALL!

Join the Guelph and District Multicultural Festival (GDMF) celebrating our rich heritage and cultural diversity. Focusing on celebrating our community’s roots while embracing new cultures, with their lively music, dance performances, cuisine and craft from around the world. This event will take you on a one-of-a-kind cultural journey under one location… over one exciting weekend!

Be-dazzled and awed as you experience how other cultures express their art-forms. Our line-up includes performances from several ethnic groups from around the World.

Opening / Award Ceremony

Opening Ceremony is held on the Friday evening, the first day of the Multicultural Festival. The opening ceremony is well attended by the local dignitaries, sponsors, supporters of the Festival and the community at large.

Multicultural Award Presentation: Introduced in 2007, the Guelph & District Multicultural Award provides everyone with an opportunity to recognize the special contribution of individuals or cultural organizations who make a difference in our community. These awards are presented during the opening ceremony.

Parade and Traditional Outfits

Multicultural Traditional Outfit Parade: This colourful parade is one of the major highlights of the opening ceremony. Several community groups proudly showcases their cultural heritage through their traditional outfits. The parade is enthusiastically joined by the local dignitaries attending the opening ceremony and the members of the community.

On-Stage Traditional Fashion Show: Cultural representatives from various ethnic communities take part in the fashion show displaying their finest traditional attire.

Craft and Commercial Vendors

The craft and commercial vendors’ marketplace is a network of 40+ individual vendors selling and promoting a wide range of crafts, treats, collectibles, clothing, and one-of-a-kind arts and services from around the world. Our goal is to welcome participation from as many different cultures, regions, and nationalities from around the world as possible.

As a vendor, you are encouraged to come and display your respective arts and crafts to make our Festival a truly interactive experience for all.

Food Vendors

Enjoy traditional cuisine from around the world in one convenient location! Our Food Vendors bring their culture and heritage to the Festival for everyone to experience through their ethnic cuisine. Grab a plate or two and enjoy the delicacies in the shaded food tent, while enjoying the live bands.

Our Festival Food court represents a network of 20+ ethnic food vendors selling unique gourmet food from around the world.

Cultural Performances

One of the highlights of the Festival is our cultural performances. W have over 30 acts perform over the three days, representing cultures from around the world. Experience the energy, song, and sense of community as you watch culture come to life on our main stage. Performances have included traditional dance, folk, Celtic, hip-hop, reggae, rock, country and more. Along with the music and dance are the gorgeous costumes in every colour of the rainbow.

Youth/Children Area

Come enjoy the Youth and Children’s Tent for a friendly environment where families can experience arts and music from different cultures through performances, workshops and hands-on activities, specially designed for children and youth.

Each year the City of Guelph Youth Council teams up with local community groups to offer a great cultural and entertainment experience at the Festival for the youth attending Elementary and High School.

Community Network

The Guelph & District Multicultural Festival prides itself on providing a great opportunity to various organizations, association, and service providing agencies together to share their information with the community.

We extend our gratitude to the Guelph Police Services, Fire Department, the City of Guelph services, St. John Ambulance, and Scouts Canada for their dedicated commitment to the Festival throughout the years!

Outdoor Activities

Fun for all!

Enjoy the midway rides, highland games, and other fun filled outdoor activities during the three day event.