Ontario Investing Nearly $200K to Support Festivals and Events in Windsor
WINDSOR– Ontario is investing $199,250 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support three festivals and events in Windsor. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
The following local events are receiving funding:
- $125,000 for Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF)
- $19,250 for Scarehouse Windsor
- $55,000 for Bright Lights 2025/2026
“I’m thrilled to see continued provincial investment in our local festivals and events through the Experience Ontario program,” said Andrew Dowie, MPP for Windsor–Tecumseh. “These celebrations not only enrich our community’s culture, but they also drive tourism, support local businesses, and create unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike. Whether it’s the world-class Windsor International Film Festival, the thrills of Scarehouse Windsor, or the magic of Bright Lights during the holidays, these events showcase the very best our community has to offer. I’m proud to stand with Minister Stan Cho in supporting initiatives that build vibrant, connected communities across Ontario.”
“WIFF 2025 is on-track to again welcome film lovers and tourists alike from across Canada and beyond to enjoy the festival that this community built, celebrating the best of Canadian and International Film,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director & Chief Programmer WIFF. “Once again, the Province of Ontario has delivered for our community. Our sincere thanks to our true partner Minister Stan Cho and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and our true champion MPP Andrew Dowie.”
“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, its people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”
In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.
QUICK FACTS
- Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
- Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
- In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
- Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
- The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
- In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Meghan Lesperance
Constituency Assistant – Digital Media and Communications
Office of Andrew Dowie
MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Ph Main: 519-251-5199 Cell: 519-567-3567
Email: meghan.lesperance@pc.ola.org