Each August, Peterborough Folk Festival transforms Nicholls Oval Park into a vibrant celebration of music and community spirit. The festival, now in its 36th year, is best known for its incredible lineup of local and national talent, it’s also a gathering place for something just as powerful: a taste of the local food scene.
Music Rooted in Place
This year’s lineup features more than 30 artists and bands, including 13 local acts – an excellent opportunity for lesser-known talent to play to big audiences. Plus they have a strong belief in having a diverse audience, including a commitment to gender parity for performers hitting the stage. Whether you’re grooving to a high-energy set or joining a hands-on workshop, the musical experience is about connection—to culture, to creativity, and to each other.
Workshops and intimate performances deepen that connection, blurring the lines between artist and audience and make for some incredible, memorable moments.
A Food Village That Feels the Soul
Just steps from three stages of curated live music, the Food Village brings together 11 diverse food vendors, serving up everything from South Indian curries to rolled ice cream. These aren’t just meals; they’re memories in the making, crafted by beloved local chefs and food artisans.
Here’s a taste:
- Curry Mantra: Rich South Indian curries, samosas, rotis, and mango lassi.
- La Mesita Restaurante: Authentic Mexican flavours from Mexico City.
- The Favourite Greek & Souvlaki Stop: Souvlaki, spanakopita, and other Greek classics.
- Mr. & Mrs. Perogie: Perogies and cabbage rolls from a beloved festival vendor of 25 years.
- Island Cream: Caribbean roti and curry, offered with heart.
- The Vine: Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian comfort food for all diets.
- RUSSS, MILK + TEA, and Kettle Corn Canada: Rolled ice cream, bubble tea, popcorn, and kid-friendly sweets.
- OtonaBEE Apiary: Local, unpasteurized honey from 1000+ hives across Peterborough County.
- Pavilion Stage area will be serving up craft Ontario beverages by Cameron’s Brewing and Sandbagger seltzers
The result is a flavourful reflection of the city’s diversity, offering something quick and satisfying for families, something adventurous for foodies, and something thoughtful for those with dietary restrictions.
Sustainability at Its Core
Since the early 2000s, the festival has championed sustainability with its now-iconic dishwashing station, offering reusable dishware to reduce waste.
“This choice we made to offer an ecostation and reusable dishware is a long-standing commitment to reducing waste,” says Rob Davis, Festival Chair. “We’re one of very few festivals in Canada doing this at this scale, and it only works because of our incredible volunteers. As a free-admission festival, we rely on community-minded people who step up to make the magic happen.”
It’s a seemingly simple act with a big impact made through the generosity of volunteers, and one that surprises and delights first-time vendors and returning guests alike.
A Family-Friendly, Bike-Friendly Festival
Set along the scenic Rotary Greenway Trail, the festival is easily walkable and rideable from East City. Thanks to partnerships with the Community Bike Shop, a Bike Valet service makes it easy to arrive sustainably.
The Children’s Village adds fun for families, with interactive play stations including crafts, bubbles and more. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, there is the opportunity to join in the children’s parade to the main stage for Songs of Scratch Garden and the “Sharon, Lois and Bram Singalong”.
The main days of the festival at Nicholls Oval Park are on August 16 & 17 (with downtown events taking place August 14 and 15). It is an idyllic way to round out the last couple of weeks of summer, Peterborough Folk Festival is a place where you can sample local dishes to homegrown talent, community is at the core of every bite, every note, and every memory made along the way.
Start planning and learn more about the Peterborough Folk Festival.
