Festivals are more than entertainment - they’re catalysts for community connection, cultural pride, and tourism growth. In 2025, the Living with Wellness Arts Festival (LWAF) proved just that, transforming its Ontario host community into a vibrant hub for two days of music, art, wellness, and culinary delights. Behind its success was a powerful partnership with the Experience Ontario program, which funds events that strengthen the province’s cultural and tourism sectors.

This support allowed LWAF to expand its programming, enhance accessibility, drive economic growth, and deliver a world-class festival experience that celebrated Ontario’s creativity and diversity. Here’s how Experience Ontario helped elevate the festival and its lasting impact on the community.

Encouraging In-Person Cultural Experiences

A major goal of Experience Ontario is to encourage people to experience and explore local culture in person. LWAF 2025 used its funding to design a destination festival that drew visitors from across the province and beyond.

With a two-day lineup of live music, art installations, guided meditation sessions, and interactive workshops, the festival offered something for every attendee. Strategic marketing campaigns, powered by funding support, reached travelers from across Ontario and neighboring provinces.

Key Impact: Attendance surveys revealed that 30% of visitors came from outside the host community, turning a regional celebration into a significant tourism draw.

“We wanted to create a festival that felt like a cultural getaway, and thanks to Experience Ontario, we achieved that.” - Festival Director

Expanding Programming Through Partnerships.

Experience Ontario champions innovation and collaboration. LWAF embraced this vision, working with 100+ community partners to deliver a rich festival program.

• The Marketplace: A hub for artisans and wellness entrepreneurs to sell handcrafted goods and showcase Ontario creativity.

• The Food Vendor Pavilion: Featuring local chefs and culturally diverse cuisine, highlighting Ontario’s culinary scene.

• Collaborative Workshops: Yoga studios, cultural organizations, and wellness practitioners led sessions that encouraged hands-on engagement.

By funding infrastructure and promotional support, the festival created a platform for small businesses and creators to reach thousands of attendees, while giving visitors authentic, locally rooted experiences.

Creating Jobs and Opportunities

LWAF wasn’t just a celebration; it was a job creator. Funding allowed organizers to hire and support 200+ staff, artists, volunteers, and contractors in areas like event production, sound design, stage management, hospitality, and security.

Emerging artists were paid to perform, gaining exposure to new audiences, while volunteers received training in event management and customer service - skills they can carry into future opportunities.

“Festivals like LWAF don’t just entertain; they help build careers.” - LWAF 2025 Performer

Driving Local Tourism Spending

Experience Ontario’s investment created measurable economic impact:

• Hotels reported near-full occupancy rates.
• Restaurants and Cafés saw record-breaking traffic, with Maharaja Bhog reporting a 50% revenue increase over the same weekend in 2024.
• Vendors and Artists frequently sold out of stock, showing the festival’s strong support for entrepreneurship.
• Transportation Services experienced increased bookings, reinforcing the festival’s tourism value.

This ripple effect demonstrates how cultural events drive prosperity far beyond their gates, benefiting entire communities.

Prioritizing Accessibility and Sustainability

Thanks to Experience Ontario support, LWAF introduced inclusive and eco-conscious features:

• Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly seating, ASL interpretation for select performances, and multilingual signage made the event welcoming for all.
• Sustainability: Waste diversion stations, eco-friendly vendors, and public transit incentives minimized the festival’s environmental footprint, aligning with its wellness theme.

These initiatives weren’t just operational improvements; they reflected LWAF’s core mission of wellness and inclusivity.

Amplifying Ontario’s Global Reputation

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLeLhPjJHc_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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The festival’s success extended far beyondOntario through national and international media coverage raisingOntario’s profile as a cultural tourism destination. Coverage included:

Asian Television Network – Feature TV Broadcast highlighting the festival’s integration of arts, wellness, and tourism appeal. Our Live streaming Partner.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKzaYE0hMqx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

OMNI Television – Event spotlight emphasizing community engagement sharing stories that reflect the diverse experiences of Canadians - including conversations around mental health and well-being.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKzTm_SBMqH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

BlogTO – Coverage of unique festival experiences and featured Ontario-based creators.

Midweek Newspaper – Inclusion in a roundup of festival and cultural event.

Y Media – FeaturedCable & TV Broadcast to 450,000 homes talking about Ontario’s growing wellness tourism scene, with the festival showcased as a signature event.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKw8iBUNDFi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Instagram Influencer Partnerships – Posts and reels by Canadian arts, lifestyle and wellness influencers with international audiences.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYWwNER34c/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Festival Recap - https://youtube.com/shorts/l2TMb8k0LDg

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DigitalLoop on Festival LED Screens -

‍https://youtu.be/OVjzppE5y_A

https://youtu.be/-9MttMQ0wEk

Recognizing Ontario’s Support

Acknowledging the Government of Ontario’s support was a key part of LWAF 2025. The Experience Ontario logo was prominently featured in all promotional materials, signage, and the official website. Opening ceremonies included a formal thank-you speech attended by local government officials, further emphasizing the partnership’s role in making the event possible.

Festival organizers also highlighted Ontario’s support through social media campaigns, earning engagement from thousands of followers.

Stories That Show Real Impact

“Selling at LWAF gave me enough income to launch a new product line this year.” – Nora’s Bakeshop

• A local artist funded new work entirely from LWAF sales.
• An emerging musician landed two new gigs after performing.
• Families from Quebec praised bilingual signage and vowed to return.

These personal stories highlight the human side of cultural funding - how it empowers creators, inspires travel, and enriches lives.

Looking Forward: Building Momentum

With the success of 2025, LWAF is already planning for growth. Organizers aim to:

• Expand Indigenous programming and partnerships.
• Introduce tech-driven features like augmented reality art tours.
• Strengthen sustainability initiatives.

This trajectory wouldn’t be possible without the foundation laid by Experience Ontario funding, proving the value of investing in arts and culture.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Impact

The Living with Wellness Arts Festival 2025 stands as a testament to what happens when public investment fuels creativity. Thanks to Experience Ontario’s support, LWAF evolved from a regional celebration into a destination festival that brought in visitors, supported jobs, boosted local spending, and celebrated Ontario’s diversity.

In just two days, LWAF sparked community pride, delivered unforgettable experiences, and positioned Ontario as a leader in cultural and wellness tourism. The ripple effect of this partnership will continue well beyond 2025, proving that funding culture isn’t just about entertainment - it’s an investment in people, businesses, and the province’s future prosperity.