Ontario Investing $605,000 to Support Festivals & Events
HAMILTON – Ontario is investing $605,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support 13 festivals and events in Hamilton. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
The announcement was made by Neil Lumsden, MPP for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek, and Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, with the following local events receiving funding:
$55,000 for Because Beer Festival
$20,000 for FrancoFEST 2025
$55,000 for the Annual Winona Peach Festival
$50,000 for Hamilton Winterfest 2026
$125,000 for the renowned Supercrawl
$20,000 for the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek
$55,000 for Hamilton Fringe Festival 2025
$55,000 for the It’s Your Festival
$55,000 for Hamilton Day
$20,000 for Boots in the Creek 2025
$20,000 for 2025 CMAO Ontario Festival
$20,000 for Dundas Cactus Festival
$55,000 for the Festival of Friends
“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, it’s people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”
In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.
Quick Facts
Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.
Quotes
“I’m thrilled to see our government investing in some of Hamilton’s most beloved community events through the 2025 Experience Ontario program. These festivals and events are enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and they play an important role in strengthening our local economy – attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Hamilton as a dynamic cultural destination in the region.”
– Neil Lumsden, MPP
Hamilton East – Stoney Creek
“Tourism plays a vital role in Hamilton’s economy, and this funding will help attract new visitors, support local businesses, and create more opportunities for people and families to experience the culture, creativity, and spirit that make our City one of a kind.
– Monica Ciriello, MPP
Hamilton Mountain
“The Experience Ontario support for Boots in the Creek provides funding crucial to supporting not only our growing festival and the economy of Downtown Stoney Creek, but it helps to enhance the visitor experience and enjoyment of our treasured area.”
– Tracy MacKinnon
Stoney Creek BIA
