Events

Author Talks invites readers to go beyond the pages of their favourite stories. The Mississauga Library brings opportunities like these to help residents engage with the ideas and inspirations behind the book through conversations with the authors themselves. Whether you’re already a fan or looking for your next great read, this is your opportunity to ask burning questions and remain a lifelong reader.

Talks will be held virtual only in February and in-person in March. This program is free to attend, and you must register in advance to reserve your spot.

Antonio Michael Downing

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Time: 7 – 8 p.m.

Location: Virtual only

Register now

Antonio Michael Downing is the current host of the CBC Radio program “The Next Chapter.” He is the author of the acclaimed memoir “Saga Boy” and children’s book “Stars in My Crown.” His debut novel “Black Cherokee” is a courageous coming-of-age story about a mixed-race black girl fighting for recognition in a South Carolina Cherokee community, told with dazzling language, keen insight, and an unforgettable voice. Check out his books available at the library.

Nita Prose

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Time: 7 – 8 p.m.

Location: Noel Ryan Auditorium, Hazel McCallion Central Library, 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga

Register now

Nita Prose is the number one bestselling author of the “Maid” series, a crime thriller that has sold millions of copies worldwide. Her series has captured the minds of readers worldwide and won the Ned Kelly Award for International Crime Fiction, the Fingerprint Award for Debut Novel of the Year, the Anthony Award for Best First Novel and the Barry Award for Best First Mystery. Capacity is limited for in-person talks so make sure to register early to save your spot. Check out the series at the library.

Take a look at highlights from previous Author Talks at the Mississauga Library’s official playlist.

More information

The book may end, but the experience continues. Mississauga Library amplifies diverse Canadian voices and stories through a wide selection of books and media to explore. Discover your next read by signing up for the Book Buzz e-newsletter, or visit your nearest library location to ask staff for their recommendations.

Mississauga Library brings residents together through events and activities year-round that inspire learning and foster a lifelong love of reading. Explore everything your library has to offer at Mississaugalibrary.ca.

Throughout the month of February, the City of Mississauga, in partnership with the Black Caucus Alliance, will continue to commemorate Mississauga’s Black community through a variety of programs and events.

All are encouraged to visit the Black History Month webpage, which highlights a variety of learning opportunities and engagement activities designed to deepen the understanding of this important month, some of which include but aren’t limited to the following:

• Raptors 905 vs Greensboro Swarm – Black Heritage Month Game
• REEL Thursdays – The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit
• African Drumming & Storytelling
• Book Club: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
• Midday Melodies: Chamber Music Live with Waleed Abdulhamid
• Library Movie Screenings
• Online Author Talk: Antonio Michael Downing
• Virtual Roots and Resilience Fitness Classes

Celebrating Black Excellence Event

The third annual Celebrating Black Excellence event will take place on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mississauga City Hall. The event will include performances, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony. If you know someone deserving of a Black Excellence Award, please take a moment to submit a nomination – which will be accepted until February 13, 2026.

Background

Discover more about the actions the City is taking to engage Black community members in decision-making processes, ensuring that programs and services are equitable and inclusive for all residents.

• First Steps: A Community-Driven Report on Making Mississauga More Equitable for Black Communities was received by Mississauga City Council in April 2022. The City developed a multi-year implementation plan and tracking mechanism for the 36 recommendations in the City’s purview. The City is well on its way to implementing the recommendations with:
  • 7 initiatives completed prior to the roadmap
  • 18 initiatives implemented and operational
  • 4 initiatives in progress
  • 11 initiatives are either awaiting initiation and/or require further planning
• Mississauga’s Black Community Engagement sessions helped inform the First Steps report through the recommendations, ideas and the lived experiences of hundreds of community members.
• Anti-Black and Indigenous Racism – Resolution 207

The City of Mississauga recognizes that racism, and in particular anti-Black racism and discrimination is a crisis in our community that requires immediate and sustained attention.

• International Decade for People of African Descent – Resolution 0039-2022

The City of Mississauga joins the global community in recognizing 2015 to 2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent.

• In 2021, the House of Commons officially designated August 1 as Emancipation Day. Each year, the City of Mississauga raises the Pan-African flag and lights the City Hall clock tower red, black and green to recognize this important day.

Quotes

“Mississauga is now and has always been a proudly diverse city. It’s through our work with community groups including the Black Caucus Alliance that allows us to better understand the needs, the struggles and the history of our residents. As a City, we are committed to continuing our work to create a united Mississauga, a space where all residents feel safe, understood and valued.” – Mayor Carolyn Parrish

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada, a milestone to reflect on the brilliance and sacrifice of those who built our foundation. In partnership with the City of Mississauga, we are honoring this legacy and this year, prioritizing youth well-being and equity. By celebrating our ancestors’ resilience, we reaffirm our commitment to dismantling anti-Black racism. Together, we are ensuring tomorrow’s visionaries inherit a city that protects their health and empowers their potential.” – Shelly Scott-England, Chair, Black Caucus Alliance

This year’s event features nearly 100 athletes from across the GTA, Canada, and around the globe, all competing for a $100,000 prize purse—split equally between men and women. First-place winners in ski and snowboard will each take home $10,000.

What’s new for APIK Mississauga 2026

A bigger and more technical custom-built urban snowpark, including:

• 45-foot-tall structure (eight feet taller than 2025)
• 292 feet in length (almost the size of a football field)
• Eight rail features designed for high-performance tricks
• 3,500 cubic meters of snow (approximately 350,000 shovel loads)
• 800+ staff hours and 12 days of build time

Celebration Square will also host live DJs, interactive activations, pop‑ups, Visit Mississauga game zones, free snowskate lessons and an outdoor winter beer garden. A full weekend webcast will be hosted by Craig McMorris, with ski specialist Kim Lamarre joining on Saturday and snowboard specialist Mikey Ciccarelli on Sunday.

Featured athletes

APIK Mississauga welcomes standout local, national, and international competitors, including:

• Liam Brearley (Ontario) – snowboard judge and ambassador
• Dani Brown (Ontario, snowboard)
• Ben Patterson (Ontario, skateboard)
• Etienne Geoffroy-Gagnon (Yukon, ski)
• Raph Détienne (Quebec, skate and snowskate)
• Taylor Brooke Lundquist (United States, ski) – 2025 champion and 2026 ambassador
• Jackson Karsteter (United States, ski) – 2025 ski champion
• Bella Bacon (United States, ski)
• Andreas Hatveit (Norway, ski)
• Andy James (Australia, snowboard)
  …and many more to be announced.

 Golden Ticket recipients (Visit Mississauga and TRIBU initiative)

• Maria Esteban (Spain, ski)
• Ryan Buttars (United States, ski)
• Nick Fox (United States, snowboard)
• Mia Langridge (Great Britain, snowboard)

Additional Wildcards

Alais Develay (France), Mathieu Dufresne (Quebec), Sofia Bruck (United States), Callen Hwang (United States), Christian Brenny (United States)

Event schedule

Friday, January 30, from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Snowskating Best Trick (Ambitions Snowskate)
• Skateboarding Best Trick session
• Snowskate lessons available all weekend (on-site registration)

Saturday, January 31, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Skiing competition – Best Trick and podium presentation

Sunday, February 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Snowboarding competition – Best Trick and podium presentation

Event details

What

APIK Mississauga

Where

Mississauga Celebration Square
300 City Centre Dr.,
Mississauga, ON

When

Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026

Cost

Free

The full schedule will be released online and on social soon so be sure to follow @VisitMississauga and @Apikfest for all event updates. For more information, please visit apik.tribu.co/en/Mississauga.

How to get there and where to park

Celebration Square is located in the heart of downtown Mississauga at the intersection of Burnhamthorpe Road West and Duke of York Boulevard. Just a short walk from City Centre Transit Terminal, visitors can reach Celebration Square through many local and regional transit routes.

Free weekend parking is available in the Civic Centre and Central Library underground parking lots (entrance on Duke of York Boulevard). On-street parking spots are available on Burnhamthorpe Road West.