Our constituency office is open to serve you! - Contact Us

Ontario Investing in 29 Festivals and Events in Ottawa

May 4, 2026

Funding will help attract visitors and strengthen Ottawa’s economy

NEWS

OTTAWA – Ontario is investing $1,785,842 through the 2026 Experience Ontario program to support 29 festivals and events in Ottawa. This is part of a more than $20 million government investment to help municipalities and event organizers deliver high-quality programming and experiences for people of all ages.

“From Ontario’s charming small towns to its dazzling urban centres, festivals and events bring people together, create lasting memories and showcase the best of our communities,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “As we work to protect Ontario, these homegrown experiences play a vital role in celebrating our shared identity, bolstering main street businesses and ensuring our province remains a place people are inspired to explore — and proud to call home.”

Experience Ontario 2026 continues to demonstrate strong support for festivals and events across the province, helping communities deliver vibrant, locally driven experiences. In the Ottawa region alone, 29 events have received funding through the program. Of these, two are located in Carleton: $125,000 has been allocated to support Haunting Season at Saunders Farm, and $10,000 to support TulipFest at Saunders Farm.

In total, Experience Ontario 2026 is supporting nearly festivals and events of all sizes across the province, strengthening tourism and supporting local economies while celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Ontario unique.

“Supporting local events at Saunders Farm, along with festivals and community celebrations across Ottawa, is an investment in our local economy, tourism sector, and community spirit,” said George Darouze, MPP for Carleton. “These events bring people together, showcase the best of our region, and create meaningful opportunities for local businesses to grow. Our government is proud to support initiatives that strengthen Ottawa’s vibrant cultural and economic landscape.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for the Ontario government’s investment through Experience Ontario in Haunting Season and Tulipfest. This funding helps us create more jobs and deepen our tourism and economic impact regionally and beyond,” said Mark Saunders, Director of Fun at Saunders Farm. “Programs like Experience Ontario are a lifeline for festivals facing rising costs and a recognition of tourism’s importance to our Ontario economy. We would also like to thank MPP George Darouze and Minister Stan Cho for their continued support.”

-30-

QUICK FACTS

  • Other recipients of funding include Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Escapade Music Festival, Ottawa GreekFest 2026, Ottawa Italian Festival, Canadian Tulip Festival, and more.
  • Since 2018, the Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported more than 2,700 Ontario festivals and events.
  • The government also supports festivals and events through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, which provides eligible organizations with funding for marketing and promotional costs.
  • Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy: in 2024, visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 300,000 jobs.

MEDIA CONTACT

Office of George Darouze, MPP – Carleton
1128 Mill St. Manotick, ON K4M 1A2
Tel.: 613-838-4425
george.darouze@pc.ola.org