Experience Ontario 2026 Launched

November 19, 2025

Cornwall, On – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG) is pleased to announce the launch of the Experience Ontario 2026 program to support eligible in-person festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.

Festival and event organizers continue to develop and deliver exciting programming in communities across the province. Your many efforts attract visitors to explore all that Ontario has to offer, boosting local and regional economies while celebrating the diverse identities and cultures that make our province a special place to live, work and play.

Experience Ontario will use the online application portal in Transfer Payment Ontario for an improved user experience and submission process.

For information on the program, please see the Experience Ontario Application Guide. Information about how to apply is available at Ontario.ca.

Regional Development Advisors are available to assist with questions about the application process. The application period is now open – applications will be accepted until December 16, 2025, at 4 p.m. (EST). Please note: Experience Ontario is a highly competitive program. Applications will be measured against program criteria and there is no guarantee of funding. To be removed from this distribution list, please email ExperienceOntario@ontario.ca. 

Lunch & Learn Webinar

Cornwall Tourism will be hosting a Lunch & Learn Webinar for local Special Event Organizers focused on preparing applications for the anticipated provincial Experience Ontario 2026 funding stream. This initiative is designed to support the growth of local festivals and events that have a significant tourism economic impact on the Cornwall region by attracting overnight visitors and increasing visitor spending.

The Experience Ontario program, administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, provides non-repayable grants to eligible entities, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous communities, that deliver impactful, multi-day tourism experiences. The program is tiered, with funding maximums reaching up to $125,000 for Signature events with cash operating budgets exceeding $1 million.

The webinar will provide essential, guidance on key application components, including:

Eligibility requirements for the 2026 application cycle, including the multi-day event minimum and tourist attendance thresholds.

Understanding the different funding tiers (Community, Emerging, and Signature).

Best practices for developing a strong tourism economic impact assessment.

“The Experience Ontario grant is a critical tool for scaling our local events from community favourites into true regional tourism draws,” said Shauna Baggs, Tourism Supervisor. “Early preparation is an important factor in securing competitive grants. This webinar, taking place in advance of the anticipated funding announcement, is way to give our event organizers a head start. We are all interested in increasing visitor attraction, enhance programming, and boost the local economy.”

Key Details:

What: Tourism Funding Webinar: Experience Ontario 2026 Preparation

Who: Special Event Organizers (Tourism-focused)

When: November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (EST)

How: Online Zoom (register here for link)

Experience Ontario Webinars

Experience Ontario will be hosting information webinars for applicants who are interested in getting more information on the program guideline, best practices and tips and tricks.  

Please register for one of the following dates:  

#ExploreCornwallON

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Check out the Explore section of our website for other fun-filled activities to keep you busy. Better yet, consider extending your stay with a night at one of our great accommodations!

Got a question?

Got questions? Need recommendations? We’re here to help! Call us at 613-938-4748 or email us at info@cornwalltourism.com and we’ll be pleased to help you with any questions you may have!

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