TORONTO, JULY 26
The ‘Viva Goa Festival’ will be celebrated at the Father Kamber Park, 4525 Mississauga Road, Mississauga on July 26 from 11 am to 8 pm, to celebrate world Goa day and the vibrant spirit of Goan community.
The Viva Goa Festival is a celebration that brings the vibrant and diverse Goan culture, cuisine, and music into the colourful tapestry of Canada's inclusive multicultural society.
The festival will feature live performances and bands, upcoming talent, traditional performances and cultural showcases, Kids Corner with games, crafts and face painting, fashion shows, art activities and scavenger hunts, business vendors, food and more.
The Kids Corner opens at 12 pm and will include Fishing Pond, Jelly Bean Jar Guess, temporary tattoos, balloon twisting and so much more.
In the past, Viva Goa Festival featured many international performers primarily from Goa. For the first time, this year’s festival features an All-Canadian talent line-up showcasing homegrown performers.
LONDON, JULY 26
The ‘UK Bonderam 2025’ festival will be celebrated at the Spring West Academy, Felthem, West London, on July 26 from 2 pm to 10 pm, to keep the Goan vibe alive in the UK.
The event will feature a traditional flag parade, fancy dress competition, colourful floats. Music at the festival will be provided by the bands ‘ClayJars’, ‘V5’, and ‘Music People’, as well as DJ’s Kim, Flaco, Armstrong, and Savio. There will be a special performance by Jason & Sylvia Dance Academy, as well as special performances by Divaddkars Caetaninho & Alistair Menezes along with Risma Leitao. MC Swiston will be the mood setter and will engage people at the festival. The festival will include a Bouncy Castle for kids.
Freddy Ferrao and Sandra Ferrao from Divar have travelled to the UK to present a float relating to Goa harvest and monsoon.
There will be a Grand Housie which has prizes consisting of return tickets to Goa and a one-way ticket to Goa to enjoy Bonderam 2025 at Divar Island in Goa.
READING, JULY 26
The Goan Reading Boys will organise the ‘Reading Goa Summer Fiesta’ at the Reading Youth & Community Centre, in Reading, Berkshire, England on July 26 from 4 pm onwards. The bands in attendance are ‘Black in White’, ‘Silver Notes Band’. DJ Kenn Gracias, Manuel, Mark and MC Delcy will also be featured at the festival.
CALGARY, AUGUST 1-4
The Goan Association Calgary will organise a four-day event to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
On August 1, a Thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated at 6.30 pm at the St Mary’s Cathedral, followed by a meet and greet in the Church Hall.
On August 2, the GAC will organise a ‘Cheers & Beers’ from 2 to 7 pm at the Stonewall Pub in Ranch Lands, 735 Ranch Land Blvd NW. The event will include a fun-filled (adults only) afternoon of treats, drinks, snooker, darts, carrom and good vibes!
On August 3, the GAC will host the ‘Golden Gala’ from 6 pm to 1 am at the Astoria Banquet Hall. Guests are invited to put on their best black and gold formal attire and join in the celebration of 50 incredible years as a community. The event will feature exciting surprises, a fusion sit-down meal, and a live band ‘Blackjacks’ from Toronto.
On August 4, the GAC will conduct the ‘Susegad Sports & Sunshine’ at the Montgomery Community Centre from 11 am to 5 pm. The event will include BBQ meal and a cash bar.
