Closed
Source verified September 23, 2026
Events & Festivals Fund
Supports multi-day tourism events to boost overnight visitation
Get notified when Events & Festivals Fund reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: September 23, 2026Latest change: The Events & Festivals Fund now shows the 2027/28 intake dates, updated applicant and project rules, and direct links to apply.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 23, 2026
Latest change: The Events & Festivals Fund now shows the 2027/28 intake dates, updated applicant and project rules, and direct links to apply.
Events & Festivals Fund updated for 2027/28 intake
The Events & Festivals Fund now shows an application window of September 15 to October 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., with support for events and expenses occurring between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028. The decision timing is now shown as Spring 2027, and the page now links directly to continue a draft or start a new application in the Grant Management Tool. Eligibility and project rules were tightened and expanded: applicants must now be a registered Alberta-based tourism business, and the ineligible list now explicitly includes conferences, congresses, corporate meetings and business events, private events not accessible to the public, and religious or spiritual ceremonies, rituals, or experiences. The page also adds a general liability insurance expectation of $2 million per occurrence and now highlights revenue and attendee/visitor origin as assessment factors.
Funding available
$ 25,000 - $ 150,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Events & Festivals Fund provides up to $150,000 to support multi-day events and festivals that drive overnight visitation. Eligible activities include event production, artist fees, venue rentals, permits, insurance, promotional support, and website or e-commerce development.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop an online presence
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Grow existing events and festivals
- Initiate new events and festivals
- Events and festivals that occur over multiple days and drive overnight visitation
Documents Needed
- Shot list
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- A registered Alberta-based tourism business
- An Indigenous tourism organization
- A not-for-profit organization, Indigenous community, or municipality with a focus on tourism
Who is not eligible
- Charitable and fundraising organizations hosting events
- Organizers of local community events
- Hosts of amateur sport tournaments
- Planners of consumer and trade shows or conferences
- Organizers of political events
- Events common across multiple communities (e.g., Canada Day celebrations)
- Business improvement areas
- Events that do not charge admission
- Events not accessible to the public
Eligible expenses
- Performers, artists, and artisan fees
- Rental of security barriers, toilets, tents, lighting, sound equipment, and venues
- Hiring of a production company
- Costs associated with sustainability initiatives for the festival
- Promotional support, including creative development and associated agency fees, radio, TV, print, and digital advertising, social strategy and implementation, content development including photography, video and written content, and website development
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Event sponsorship
- Salaries and wages of employees; purchasing of goods and services for resale; purchasing of equipment
- Costs associated with acquiring alcohol or cannabis consumption permits; accommodation; hosting; ticket surcharges
- Prizing and gifting, including volunteer apparel/swag
- Costs related to the delivery of religious or spiritual ceremonies, rituals, or experiences, including but not limited to Sweat Lodges, Sun Dances, and similar ceremonies
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
Selection criteria
- Ability of the event to drive overnight visitation and promote tourism growth.
- Event duration of two or more days with a focus on establishing it as an annual fixture.
- Timing of the event, with priority given to those held during shoulder or winter seasons to encourage year-round tourism.
- Potential for collaboration with Alberta tourism partners to strengthen regional impact.
- Demonstration of growth, new activations, or expanded programming if the event previously received funding.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Application Period
- Check the official website for the current application dates (October 1-20 for the 2026-2027 intake).
- Subscribe to the Connections Newsletter for updates regarding program intake periods.
- Step 2: Access Application Portal
- When the intake is open, visit the Events and Festivals Fund page on the Travel Alberta website.
- Click the application link to be redirected to the Grant Management Tool (GMT).
- Log in to the GMT to begin your application.
- Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form in the GMT with all required information.
- Save your progress as needed and ensure all details are accurate and complete.
- If applying for multiple events, submit a separate application for each event.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application through the Grant Management Tool before the posted deadline.
- Step 5: Await Funding Decision
- Investment decisions for the 2026/2027 intake are made in early 2026.
- If approved, you will receive a notification and funding agreement from Travel Alberta.
- Step 6: Funding Agreement and Disbursement
- Once both parties execute the funding agreement, funds are deposited directly via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed and funding decisions are made in early 2026.
- Travel Alberta may approve or decline requests based on its assessment of the application.
- If approved, applicants receive a notification and a funding agreement.
- Funding is paid by Electronic Funds Transfer after the agreement is executed by both parties.
Additional information
- Applicants must contribute at least 25% of the total event or festival costs themselves.
- Organizations may submit multiple applications for different events within the same funding year, but the combined maximum funding for all applications is $150,000 per organization.
- If previously funded for the same event, applicants must demonstrate new growth, activations, or expanded programming with the new funding request.
- The funding is transferred via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) after the funding agreement execution.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Events & Festivals Fund Program
What is the Events & Festivals Fund?
The Events & Festivals Fund provides up to $150,000 to support multi-day events and festivals that drive overnight visitation. Eligible activities include event production, artist fees, venue rentals, permits, insurance, promotional support, and website or e-commerce development.
How much funding can be received?
Events & Festivals Fund Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Events & Festivals Fund program?
To be eligible for the Events & Festivals Fund program, you must:
Alberta-based tourism business, Indigenous tourism organization, or not-for-profit/municipality with a tourism focus
Non-municipal partners must have operated for at least three years
Must contribute a minimum of 25% of total event or festival cost
What expenses are eligible under Events & Festivals Fund?
Grow existing events and festivals
Initiate new events and festivals
Events and festivals that occur over multiple days and drive overnight visitation
Who can I contact for more information about the Events & Festivals Fund?
You can contact Travel Alberta by email at tourisminvestment@travelalberta.com.
Where is the Events & Festivals Fund available?
The Events & Festivals Fund program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Events & Festivals Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Events & Festivals Fund is a Grant and Funding