Ontario Investing $20,000 in Festivals and Events in Newmarket

Funding will help attract visitors and strengthen Newmarket’s economy

NEWMARKET – MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy announced today that the Toronto Cultural Mingle Association has received $20,000 through the Experience Ontario 2026 program to support the Newmarket Multicultural Asian Heritage Festival.

“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 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.

“Festivals like the Newmarket Multicultural Asian Heritage Festival bring people together, celebrate our community’s diversity, and support local businesses,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket–Aurora. “I am proud our government is investing $20,000 through the Experience Ontario program to help make this event a success, and I congratulate the Toronto Cultural Mingle Association for their commitment to showcasing the rich cultures that make Newmarket such a vibrant community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the Government of Ontario and MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy for their generous support through the Experience Ontario 2026 program.” said Gina Chai, Director, Toronto Cultural Mingle Association. “This funding will help us create an inclusive, family-friendly festival that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Newmarket and York Region. We look forward to welcoming thousands of residents and visitors to experience outstanding cultural performances, local businesses, international cuisine, and meaningful community connections while continuing to build this festival into a signature annual summer tradition.”

QUICK FACTS

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