Celebrate Ontario

Celebrate Ontario is an annual grants program that supports tourism by assisting festival and event organizers develop new and improved experiences to attract more tourists and increase visitor spending.

Celebrate Ontario has three major funding streams – Main Stage, Signature and Blockbuster.

Celebrate Ontario Main Stage and Signature helps new and existing Ontario festivals and events enhance their programs, activities and services. This support helps grow tourism in the province by making it easier for event organizers to offer new and improved experiences that will attract more tourists and increase visitor spending.

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster consists of two streams. The Event Bid stream supports bidding costs for major one-time events and the Event Hosting stream supports hosting costs for major one-time events.

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the Celebrate Ontario Main Stage and Signature and Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster programs please click here.

See the 2012-2013 Celebrate Ontario Festivals and Events listings.

Read about Celebrate Ontario success stories.

The application deadline for the Celebrate Ontario 2013 Main Stage and Signature program has passed. Details on the Celebrate Ontario 2014 Main Stage and Signature program will be posted at a later date.

The Celebrate Ontario 2013 Blockbuster program is open. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and must be submitted a minimum of four months prior to an event for Event Hosting applications and a minimum of two months prior to a bid deadline for Event Bid applications.

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster – Event Bid and Event Hosting

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include private enterprises, registered not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other authorities, and First Nations in the Province of Ontario. Funding will be provided only to legal entities.

What types of initiatives are eligible?

Support is available for bidding on or hosting major one-time special events that are open to the public, taking place in Ontario, and have a sufficient national and international reputation to draw tourists to the province. Either the bid costs must be incurred or the event must occur between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.

To assist applicants to register in Grants Ontario, two tools are available. They are:

• a video that will walk you through the application registration process from the beginning to the end (click here to watch the video); and
• the Grants Ontario System Applicant Registration Guide

The Grants Ontario System Applicant Reference Guide will provide step by step instructions on how to complete the online application in the Grants Ontario System.

We strongly advise applicants to follow this link for detailed instruction on how to apply.

Applicants must first register with the Government of Ontario’s encrypted ONe-key log-in system at Grants Ontario as users. You are strongly encouraged to register for your ONe-key password as soon as possible to ensure you meet the application deadline.

Please see the Celebrate Ontario 2013-14 Blockbuster Event Bid and Event Hosting Application Guide for detailed instructions on how to fill out your application.

Following successful registration, applicants must use the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster application found on the Grants Ontario System to submit their applications. Celebrate Ontario applications received in any format other than the application form found on the Grants Ontario System will not be accepted.

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster – Event Bid and Event Hosting

Celebrate Ontario 2013-14 Blockbuster Event Bid Sample Application

Celebrate Ontario 2013-14 Blockbuster Event Hosting Sample Application

Celebrate Ontario 2013 Blockbuster applicants are also required to download, complete and attach an Additional Information Package with their online application. The Celebrate Ontario 2013-14 Blockbuster Event Bid and Event Hosting Application Guide provides detailed instructions on what to include in the Additional Information Package.

For technical support including any computer related issues please contact:

Phone

• In Toronto: (416) 325-6691

• Toll Free: 1-855-216-3090

E-mail

• GrantsOntarioCS@Ontario.ca

For direct telephone or e-mail enquiries and questions on Celebrate Ontario Main Stage and Signature please click here to find the local tourism advisor in your area.

Signature Tier 3 applicants can direct telephone or email inquiries to:

Luanne Smith
Tel: (416) 314-3435
Email: luanne.smith@ontario.ca

Blockbuster Event Bid and Event Hosting applicants can direct telephone or e-mail enquiries and questions to:

Robert Sweeting
Senior Business Advisor
Tel: (416) 325-7426
Email: robert.sweeting@ontario.ca

Last updated: April 26, 2013