Peony Festival recognized as finalist for Tourism Event of the Year

Oshawa’s Peony Festival was selected as a finalist for the 2024 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence in the Tourism Event of the Year category.

This recognition, a first for Oshawa, highlights the Festival’s outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. Other finalists included the Winter Festival of Lights by Niagara Falls Tourism, Blumination by Blue Mountain Village Association, the World Cup of Hockey and this year’s winner, Tall Pines Music and Arts Festival.

This accolade is one of many for the City’s Peony Festival, which has received Top 100 accolades from Festival and Events Ontario (F.E.O.) for the last 12 years. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this past June, the Festival’s 7,000 visitors were treated to Canada's largest contemporary peony collection, which showcased over 300 types in full bloom. The Festival featured a mix of artisans, live music, expert gardening advice, a judged peony show, a bonsai display, a children’s garden, an art competition, and a photo contest. Mark your calendars for the 2025 Peony Festival on June 7 and 8, and visit oshawa.ca/Peony for more information.

For more information about the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (T.I.A.O.), including the 2024 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence nominees list, visit tiaontario.ca.

For City of Oshawa updates, visit oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.

Quotes:

"The City of Oshawa is thrilled that the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario has recognized the Peony Festival as a finalist for Tourism Event of the Year," said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. "This festival is a hallmark event for our community and receiving this recognition in our centennial year is a remarkable achievement."

"The Oshawa Peony Festival is one of Ontario’s most highly anticipated and popular summer events, attracting thousands of visitors from across Canada to our vibrant city,” said Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri, Chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee. "We are honoured to have the Oshawa Peony Festival named a finalist for Tourism Event of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario!"

"We are delighted to have been a finalist for Tourism Event of the Year for the exceptional Oshawa Peony Festival by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario," said Councillor Bob Chapman, Vice-Chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee. "The credit for this achievement goes to our City staff for planning and producing this awesome event. We invite everyone to mark their calendars for June 7th and 8th next year and experience the beauty of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens at the Festival."