Festivals and Events
photo: Luke Best
Enjoy one of the many festivals and events happening in Peterborough, all year round!
From live music, to film to art, these are events worth planning for.
Summer Festivals & Events
Peterborough Folk Festival
Canada’s longest-running free-admission folk festival! More than 15,000 people come together to enjoy our region’s second largest cultural event every August. Most events take place at Nicholls Oval Park in the East City neighbourhood, with some events also taking place downtown.
Nicholls Oval Park, 725 Armour Road, Peterborough
Peterborough Music Fest
Canada’s longest running free concert series takes place on the shores of Peterborough’s Little Lake at Del Creary Park (downtown). Catch an impressive lineup of acts on the Main Stage every Wednesday and Saturday evening throughout the summer, with the best of rising talent opening on the side stage on Wednesdays.
Del Creary Park, 100 George Street N, Peterborough
Lock and Paddle
Once a year, in July, the Trent-Severn Canal is taken over by a colourful array of kayaks and canoes as the community takes on a collective challenge to fill the Lift Locks!
Take part in this self-guided activity with various places to put-in and launch, including Beavermead Park, Rogers Cove or the Canoe Museum. Sadly the event in 2026 was cancelled due to wildfire smoke... stay tuned for 2027.
Fall Events
Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour
Taking place September 26-27, 2026, you’re invited to explore a free, self-guided tour of open artist studio spaces throughout the Kawarthas region. Don’t know where to start?
Preview the work of participating artists at the Art Gallery of Peterborough (downtown Peterborough) and plan your tour of the region from there!
Timeless
October 16, 2026 at the historic Market Hall downtown, internationally acclaimed violinist, Victoria Yeh presents her fourth edition of “Timeless,” a celebration of the violin through the ages. Featuring the Spirit Awakens Orchestra and Victoria jazz fusion band, the evening takes listeners on a journey from Vivaldi to Jean-Luc Ponty and beyond.
Head of Trent Regatta
October 4 – 5th, 2026, Trent University athletes, alumni, students, and spectators gather along the scenic Otonabee River to cheer on the racers at one of North America’s largest single-day rowing events, all set against the backdrop of beautiful fall colours.
Hint: catch the after-party energy at various pubs and night clubs downtown after the races have finished.
Winter Events
Reframe Film Festival
One thing you’ll quickly learn about Peterborough is the community’s passion and commitment to environmental and social justice, which is why it’s no surprise that it hosts a film festival devoted to these very causes. Their goal is to “spark dialogue and positive change, while fostering meaningful connections between audiences, filmmakers and artists, community partners, and neighbours.”
The mid-winter festival takes place downtown at Market Hall January 29 – February 7, 2027
Year-Round Events
First Friday Art Crawl
“First Friday” is an open invitation to artists to open their spaces, and to the public to explore. The open nature of the event means every month is different from the next.
Held on the first Friday of every month, roughly from 6pm – 11pm, you'll find participating artists, studios, storefronts and cafés throughout the downtown core. At Christmas and during the summer, you might even catch an outdoor market.
Start at the Commerce Building (upstairs), and explore from there!
129 – 1/2 Hunter Street W, Peterborough
Conservation Café
A casual and friendly get together of like-minded people who want to learn more about emerging issues and new research in nature and the environment. Hosted by the Trent Research Group for Communicating Conservation Science, these events aim at connecting experts and their research with the broader public.
The Conservation Café hosts rotating guest speakers at 7:30pm, every 2nd Tuesday of the month (year round). No cover charge. Hint: plan to arrive early to get a seat and enjoy dinner and drinks. These events are so popular that they are often full by start time.
The Publican (upstairs), 294 Charlotte Street, Peterborough