The tourism organization Destination Stratford released its 2025 year-in-review report on March 2, 2026, showing how the community in Stratford, Ontario, is successfully attracting visitors throughout the entire year. The report, titled “Tourism, Growth & Momentum,” highlights a shift toward making the city a destination for all seasons rather than just the traditional summer theatre months.
The 2025 strategy focused on expanding tourism beyond the busy Stratford Festival season by investing in new winter and off-season events. Key programs that drove this growth included the Winter Music Pop-Ups and the Destination Development Fund, which help create more activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Seasonal festivals like Lights on Stratford played a major role in keeping the local economy active during the colder months. The report also noted recent achievements for the City of Stratford, such as being named a bird-friendly city and seeing high interest in its local food trails.
By diversifying what the city offers, local leaders say they are creating more steady business activity and economic momentum for the community. These initiatives are designed to ensure that local shops, restaurants, and hotels have a consistent flow of customers throughout the year.
