Experience Ontario

Overview of the Experience Ontario program:

Administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming, Experience Ontario 2026 provides financial support to festivals and events that attract tourists, enhance Ontario’s profile, and generate economic benefits for local communities. The program funds events that offer innovative programming, engage community partnerships, and create job opportunities in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors. Eligible events must occur in Ontario over at least two consecutive days between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Funding is awarded based on event size and impact, with grants covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, including production, marketing, and accessibility improvements. Applications are competitive and assessed on criteria such as community impact, economic development, and organizational capacity​.

Benefits of the Experience Ontario program:

• The program supports festivals and events that:
• Encourage travel and in-person celebrations in Ontario.
• Attract tourists and increase visitor spending through innovative programming.
• Foster partnerships with businesses and community groups to boost economic impacts.
• Enhance Ontario's visibility through various media channels.

Eligibility criteria of the Experience Ontario program:

• Eligible organizations:
• A legal entity, established by or under legislation; federally or provincially incorporated; or a First Nation in the province of Ontario.*
• In existence since January 1, 2025, or before.
• Not in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
• An operating business conducting business in Ontario (e.g., business
• Address, physical presence) and have a Canadian bank account in the legal name of the applicant at a Canadian financial institution.
• Ineligible Organizations:
• Sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships and general partnerships.
• Federal or provincial governments and/or their agencies
• Eligible Tourism Festivals or Events must:
• Take place between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, over a minimum
• Of two consecutive days** and consist of a minimum of five hours of programing each day.
• Occur in the province of Ontario.
• Be open to the public at large without membership in a club or group.
• Have been held at least once in the previous three-year period.
• The event has not received an Experience Ontario award in the past for
• The festival or event that the grant is being applied for.
• Follow all municipal and provincial guidelines, including health and safety guidelines.
• Submit expenses for the festival or event that are not solely related to
• Marketing or media buys.
• Demonstrate that the event saw an overall tourist attendance of at least 30% or 5,000 tourists, at least once in the past three years of
• Holding the event being applied for. (See definition of tourist above).
• Ineligible Tourism Festivals or Events
• One-day tourism festivals or events (except for those held on Canada
• Day).
• Non-consecutive day festivals or events. Festivals or events that offer a
• Series of days are only eligible for the consecutive days.
• Virtual/broadcast festivals or events.
• Festivals or events that are receiving funding through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program or the Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF).
• Sporting events offering programming that is of primary benefit to event participants/athletes only (e.g., sport tournaments/competitions, marathons), with no ancillary programming for visitors, and is neither marketed to nor attracts tourists.
• Festivals or events that seek to attract only a special interest audience,
• Restrict audiences (e.g., students only), or recruit new members (e.g., religious or political gatherings).
• Festivals or events of a primarily commercial nature, where the main intent of the event is to sell or promote one or multiple products,
• Services, or sponsorships (e.g., trade fairs and shows, business events, consumer shows, artisan and craft fairs).
• Fundraising events or events with a primarily charitable purpose.
• Symposia, conventions, meetings, conferences, seminars, clinics, workshops, contests and events that solely consist of an award show.
• Applicants who apply only for marketing funding.
• Events defined as one-off single activities, gatherings or celebrations typically taking place over a concentrated period of time, such as a few hours. Examples of events are rallies, demonstrations, fundraising events, single performances or other single artistic activities.