Event Details

The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC) was founded in 1973 to act as an umbrella organization of community-based groups and organizations involved in cultural sensitivity, anti-racism promotion and education, newcomer integration, intercultural education and cultural retention. MCC has organized an annual three- weekend festival since 1976, “Carrousel of Nations,” celebrating the arts through ethno-cultural music, dance, exhibits, and arts and crafts.

This application is for “Carrousel of the Nations”, a signature multicultural arts and cultural festival taking place from June 12 to 21, 2026, across Windsor and Essex County. The goal of the project is to celebrate cultural heritage, artistic expression, and intercultural exchange through a free, accessible, region-wide festival experience. Building on the success of its 50th anniversary and attendance of over 175,000 visitors, the 2026 festival represents a continued expansion of Carrousel of the Nations through the addition of five new villages. It will also feature a partnership with Windsor International Film Festival showcasing foreign language films at their WIFF Under the Stars event. MCC will feature village dances in between the films, combining both Carrousel and WIFF into one event at their location on Riverside Drive. Programming for “Carrousel of the Nations” includes: (1) A network of forty culturally distinct “villages,” each hosted by community organizations and cultural groups and offering traditional cuisine, live music and dance performances, visual and performing arts showcases, artisan vendors, and heritage demonstrations; and (2) Interactive educational exhibits and hands-on cultural activities designed to engage visitors of all ages and encourage cultural learning and exchange.