Support for festivals in the Greater Montréal region
Part of the QEDP
As part of its mandate to develop the economies of Quebec’s regions, CED funds events that attract visitors from outside Quebec and generate sustainable, concrete tourism spin-offs. These events enhance Quebec’s and Canada’s appeal as destinations of choice for foreign tourists.
Montréal is the largest tourism gateway in Quebec, and one of its distinctive products on the world stage is the varied festivals it holds. To take the evolving festival scene into account more effectively, CED has renewed its funding approach for festivals based in the Greater Montréal region to help organizations renew how they market and develop products in order to enhance what they offer. The target of this renewed funding approach is to increase the number of tourists in the region by boosting festivals that have the greatest potential to draw international tourists.
The aim of the financial support provided is mainly to help market festivals internationally and to develop products to offer new experiences. Targeted festivals demonstrate innovation and stand out for their spectacular character.
CED’s assistance must complement that of other sponsors.
Program status
Open: We are accepting project proposals
Am I eligible?
Consult the eligibility criteria for the Support for festivals in the Greater Montréal region.
How do I submit my project?
The process to submit a project may differ from one program to another. Be sure you have read the guidelines for this program carefully.
Eligible clients
- Festivals lasting between 5 and 35 days that can demonstrably attract international tourists and that have free programming for the general public.
Festivals must have an overall marketing strategy that includes an international component.
Ineligible clients
- Cultural productions such as large-scale shows or theatre pieces, as well as exhibits, congresses, conferences and salons are not considered as festivals.
Eligible activities
- International marketing strategies
- Development of products for the general public
Ineligible activities and costs
- Fees for artists, including street performers
- On-site signage
- Parking-related costs
- Costs related to security, maintenance or logistics
- Tie-in or promotional products (gifts, hats, pens, cups, etc.)
- Operating costs of the organization
Targeted area
Montréal, Laval and the following cities and regional county municipalities: Agglomération de Longueuil, Marguerite-D’Youville, Roussillon, Les Jardins-de-Napierville, Le Haut-Saint-Laurent, Beauharnois-Salaberry, Vaudreuil-Soulanges, L’Assomption, Les Moulins, Deux-Montagnes, Thérèse-De Blainville and Mirabel.
Funding amount
Funding will be provided over two years, meaning for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the festivals.
The amount of financial support that may be granted is based on the festival’s overall tourist traffic
and appeal among international tourists (from outside Canada). The data must be demonstrated through a
tourist traffic study.
- For festivals that attract 15,000 unique international tourists (or 15%), regardless of overall traffic, an amount between $50,000 up to a maximum of $150,000 may be authorized.
- For festivals that attract 30,000 unique international tourists or 15,000 unique international tourists with a minimum of 100,000 visitors, an amount of up to $300,000 may be authorized.
- For festivals that attract 60,000 unique international tourists or 25,000 unique international tourists with a minimum of 100,000 visitors, an amount of up to $500,000 may be authorized.
- For festivals that attract 100,000 unique international tourists with a minimum of 300,000 visitors, an amount of up to $700,000 may be authorized.
Additional prioritization criteria
Other criteria will also be considered in the decision to support a festival, including:
- Season
- Uniqueness and/or originality of the festival
- Media reach
- Economic impacts
- Financial capacity
- Eco-friendliness and safety
Type of funding
Festivals must provide information on their corporate structure (management and board of directors), as well as internal and sub-contracted (including non-arm’s length) activities to determine if they can benefit from a non-repayable contribution.Submitting a project
Would you like to submit a project?
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