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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

April 22, 2025

Mayor Olivia Chow announces more than $2.5 million in funding for 64 Toronto festivals

Today, the City of Toronto unveiled the 2025 recipients of the Cultural Festivals Funding Program (CFFP) comprising of 64 festivals across Toronto that will receive grants totalling $2,570,357. This represents an additional 15 festivals and a 33 per cent increase in program funding compared to 2024.

Mayor Olivia Chow announced the funding this morning alongside Councillor Alejandro Bravo (Davenport) and Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre) at The 519, the City’s agency committed to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Also present were representatives from Pride Toronto and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Festival Management Committee, both of which are recipients of the City’s new funding.

Festivals funded through CFFP will animate neighbourhoods across Toronto, with events taking place in 19 City wards. Notably, 35 festivals receiving funding in 2025 are first-time recipients of the program grants.

The City’s increased investment through CFFP aligns with the implementation of Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto (2025-2035) which includes commitments to improving access to cultural experiences for residents across Toronto and to increasing funding levels for cultural organizations.

More information on the CFFP funding streams, eligibility requirements and the full list of 2025 recipients is available on the City’s website: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/grants-incentives-rebates/arts-culture-grants/cultural-festivals-funding-program/.

Through initiatives such as CFFP, the City remains committed to supporting recurring cultural festivals that enable community-building, promote opportunities for diverse artists and engage Torontonians and visitors alike.

In addition to increased funding for CFFP, City Council approved more than $1.35 million to renew the Special Events Stabilization Initiative (SESI) in 2025 to support local event organizers in managing increased production costs. Applications for SESI will be available later this year. More information about the City’s support for culture is available on the City’s Culture Connects webpage at http://toronto.ca/cultureplan/.

Quotes:

“Our street festivals and cultural events are the heart of our thriving and vibrant city. Through this increased funding, we’re supporting artists and event organizers, creating more opportunities for neighbourhood businesses and local economic growth, and giving residents more reasons to enjoy these locally inspired festivals and celebrations.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“Toronto is proud to host some of the world’s most celebrated and diverse cultural festivals. This year’s $2.5 million investment is a recognition of the thousands of artists, organizers, and volunteers who bring these incredible events to life—and of the many residents and visitors who show up year after year to celebrate what makes our city so vibrant and unique.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Mayor’s Economic Development & Culture Champion

“Cultural festivals are an important driver of community and local economic development. They bring people together and give us opportunities to connect across the diversity of Torontonians. I am pleased to see 64 festivals – more recipients than ever before - benefit from this much-needed funding support. It’s especially encouraging to see many neighbourhood and BIA-led festivals, heritage celebrations, and community-driven events receive the recognition and stability they so greatly deserve.”
– Councillor Alejandro Bravo (Davenport), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

“I am excited to see new funding being provided to events such as Toronto Caribbean Carnival , Pride and many other festivals that put Toronto on the map as a cultural destination. In many cases, these festivals give equity-deserving groups a rare chance to be seen and heard. These are the bright sparks that put our city a cut above the rest.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre)

“This funding is not just an investment in events. It is an investment in communities, in stories, and in the power of culture to bring us together. As we mark our 45th festival this year, this support from the City of Toronto comes at a critical time. With rising operational costs and growing pressure on Prides around the world due to an increasingly challenging political landscape, this funding represents leadership at its best. It ensures we can continue to deliver safe, accessible, and inclusive programming that uplifts 2SLGBTQI+ voices. It also helps maintain Pride as one of Toronto’s premier cultural festivals, drawing millions, supporting local economies, and showcasing the city's commitment to equity and inclusion on the global stage.”
– Kojo Modeste, Executive Director, Pride Toronto

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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