Festivals & Events Ontario awards Municipality of the year honours to Pickering

Published March 7, 2025 at 8:37 am

The City of Pickering is all smiles after it was awarded the prestigious 2025 Municipality of the Year Award by Festivals & Events Ontario.

The award celebrates municipalities, towns, and cities that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting and enhancing festivals and events, with Pickering’s recognition in the 50,000 to 150,000 population category “a testament to its ongoing efforts in cultivating an atmosphere where cultural initiatives flourish,” said CAO Marisa Carpino.

“I am delighted that the city has been recognized for its commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant city,” Carpino said. “Investing in the arts, culture, festivals, and events is key to that vision, and plays an essential role in defining a city’s identity, celebrating cultural diversity and fostering a strong sense of community pride.”

Pickering’s Cultural Fusion Festival was also named one of the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario for 2025. Since its inception in 2022, Cultural Fusion has united more than 40 community organizations, service groups, and partners, showcasing the rich diversity of Pickering through cuisine, artisan markets, live performances, and cultural displays.

“Cultural Fusion is a true reflection of our city’s commitment to inclusivity and celebration of community culture, and this festival brings together local talent, artists, and traditions, strengthening civic pride and social cohesion,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe, who thanked the Cultural Services and Events teams for “bringing this vision to life.”

Other Durham Region communities honoured at the Festivals & Events Ontario’s year-end gala include the City of Oshawa with five events on the top 100 list (Convergence, Kars on King, Canada Day, Peony Festival and the Indigenous Cultural Celebration.