FAQs
Be free or offered at a nominal fee, ensuring broad accessibility.
Provide a family-friendly, inclusive, and welcoming experience for both residents and visitors
Align with the Festival & Event Policy principles of safety, sustainability, and community benefit - including commitments to accessibility, innovation, environmental responsibility, and professionalism.
Experienced festival or event producers with a proven track record of organizing major or signature-scale events (typically attracting 4,000+ attendees, as outlined in the City’s policy)
Annual Dates: Potential exclusive use of Spencer Smith Park each Father’s Day weekend.
Funding: Eligibility for an annual $150,000 municipal grant, subject to budget approval and alignment with the City’s Community Development Fund.
Fees & Services: Potential for reduced park permit fees and reduction in City service fees for events offering free admission. No fee reductions are available for nominal fee events.
City Support: Assigned liaison from the City’s Festivals & Events team to assist with all aspects for approvals and permits from Municipal and Regional levels.
A commitment to AODA accessibility standards.
A comprehensive risk and safety plan (minimizing liability and protecting attendees).
Sustainable practices, including waste reduction and energy efficiency, as required under the policy’s “sustainable” criterion.
What is the purpose of this Call for Applications?
The City of Burlington is launching a Call for Applications for a qualified and experienced event organizer to deliver a Waterfront Music Festival.
This initiative aligns with Burlington’s Festival & Event Policy, which aims to support vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable events that enhance quality of life, strengthen community pride, and celebrate Burlington’s cultural identity.
The successful applicant will be responsible for producing an accessible music festival featuring Canadian artists, that is free or available for a nominal fee each Father’s Day weekend. The inaugural event is scheduled for June 18–21, 2026, with the potential for continuation in subsequent years.
What kind of event is the City looking for?
The City of Burlington is seeking a qualified organizer to deliver a multi-day outdoor music festival that showcases local and Canadian artists while reflecting Burlington’s creativity, diversity, and community spirit.
The festival should:
Who can apply?
The City of Burlington welcomes applications from:
I’m a smaller organization or new festival producer — can I still apply?
Yes. The City welcomes applications from both established and emerging organizers.
Can applicants partner with other organizations?
Yes — collaborative applications are strongly encouraged. Be sure to clearly identify the lead organization and outline the roles and contributions of each partner involved.
What if the 2026 timeline is too ambitious for my full festival concept?
The City recognizes that launching a full-scale festival by 2026 may be ambitious. Applicants are welcome to propose a phased approach - starting with a smaller-scale event in 2026, with the full vision unfolding in 2027 or 2028. This allows for thoughtful planning, partnership development, and gradual growth.
What resources or support may be available from the City?
To help ensure the success and sustainability of your event, the City invites applicants to identify the types of support they may require. Based on alignment with municipal priorities and subject to Council approval, applicants may be eligible for the following resources:
All City resources and support requests are subject to Council approval. Applicants are encouraged to outline their needs during the application process so the City can tailor its support accordingly
Is the $150,000 municipal grant guaranteed?
No - the annual grant is not guaranteed. Funding is subject to Council approval and the availability of budget resources. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate compliance with the Festival and Event Policy and meet any specific grant requirements.
Can the festival charge admission?
The festival should be offered free of charge or at a nominal cost to promote broad accessibility for residents and visitors, in keeping with the Festival & Event Policy principle of being welcoming and inclusive
Can existing festivals or organizers from other cities apply?
Yes. The City welcomes applications from new festival concepts and existing festivals seeking to relocate or expand to Burlington.
What are the City’s expectations around safety, accessibility, and sustainability?
All festivals must meet the standards outlined in the Festival & Event Policy and the Special Events Team (SET) review process
Applications should demonstrate:
How will applications be reviewed?
All applications will be reviewed by the Festivals & Events Strategy Team (FEST) - the multi-disciplinary committee identified in the City’s Festival & Event Policy. Recommendations from FEST will be presented to City Council for endorsement in December 2025 or January 2026.
What happens after I apply?
After applications are submitted, staff will review the materials provided and may reach out for clarification if needed. Once the call for applications has closed, each submission will be evaluated based on the principles and criteria outlined in the Festivals and Events Policy. All applicants will be informed of their status as soon as possible after the closing date.
What are the key dates in the process?
Milestone | Date |
Applications Open | Oct. 27, 2025 |
Deadline to Apply | Nov. 21, 2025 |
City Council Review (Target) | December 2025 or January 2026 |
Festival Launch (Target) | June 18–21, 2026 |
How can I receive more information about this process?
A virtual information session will be held on Nov. 5, 2025, at noon.
This session is open to all potential applicants. Please register here
Can I email City staff with questions?
To ensure fairness and transparency, individual questions will not receive separate responses. All clarifications or updates will be posted publicly on this webpage so that all applicants have equal access to information.
If you have a question, please submit it on the page using the Q & A button or send your questions to festivalsandevents@burlington.ca. The Festival & Events team will review promptly and post your questions with the answer to this FAQ page and follow up with you once it has been posted.