Stratford festivals and events land provincial grants

Six local tourism operators in Perth-Wellington will receive a total of $365,000 through the 2026 Experience Ontario program

The Stratford Festival rolled out the red carpet to officially kick off their 2025 season

Today, Matthew Rae, Member of Provincial Parliament for Perth-Wellington announced that six local tourism operators will receive a total of $365,000 through the 2026 Experience Ontario program.

“Local festivals and events are a major driver of tourism in Perth–Wellington,” said MPP Rae. “This funding will help operators expand their programs, attract more visitors, and support our rural economies.”

This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help municipalities and event organizers deliver high-quality programming and experiences for people of all ages.

This funding will also help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in Perth-Wellington. Increasing stays in local accommodations, guests in restaurants, shoppers at local retailers and overall, support main street businesses.

“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.”

Since 2018, the Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported more than 2,700 Ontario festivals and events.

“We’re incredibly grateful to receive support through the Experience Ontario program. Hayloft’s success is built on the strong support of our partners, volunteers, and attendees, and this funding allows us to grow the festival significantly while elevating the experience for everyone involved,” said Ralph Spoltore, Hayloft Music Festival. “We’re proud to contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the community, and look forward to hosting an even bigger festival this summer.”

Experience Ontario 2026 is supporting 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.

Funding as provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming: