kawarthaNOW | News, events, and community information for residents, visitors, and cottagers in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

Kelli Marshall performs a traditional jingle dance during an event to commemorate Red Dress Day at Peterborough City Hall on May 5, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

Survey seeks to understand urban Indigenous community’s priorities for cultural spaces in Peterborough

Nogojiwanong Urban Indigenous Working Group and Trent Society of Architects are gathering input to guide potential spaces, programs, and community initiatives

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - October 22, 2026

Peterborough indie alt-rockers The Dead Crowd (Tina Romo, Peter Romo, Adam Murray, Tim van de Ven, and Lauren Hughes), who just released their debut five-song EP, are performing at Eldorado Music Bar & Social Pub in downtown Peterborough on Saturday night along with Toronto alt-rockers Whisper Gang. (Photo: The Dead Crowd)

nightlifeNOW – October 22 to 28

The Kawartha Art Gallery is hosting a grand opening of its new home at 19 Cambridge Street South in downtown Lindsay on November 20, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Art Gallery)

Kawartha Art Gallery finally ready to open its new permanent home in downtown Lindsay

Rob Arkell, mission leader for the Wild Again initiative at Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough, accepts a used item at the trade-in desk, where customers can keep high-quality products in circulation by trading in their used merchandise for store credit. This credit can be used to purchase new or used products, or the trade-in value can be donated to the organization's ComPassion Project. (Photo: Jeff Faulds / Wild Rock Outfitters)

From outdoor gear to farm soil, Peterborough businesses put the circular economy into practice

Volunteers with Kawartha Food Share are delivering flyers to homes across the City of Peterborough in advance of this year's "Porch Pirates for Good" fall food drive on October 24, 2026. Residents are asked to leave a bag or box of non-perishable food items on their front porch by 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Attach the flyer to the donation or otherwise mark it so volunteers collecting the donation can easily spot it from the street. (Photo: Kawartha Food Share / Facebook)

‘Porch Pirates for Good’ fall food drive for Kawartha Food Share returns October 24

Peterborough residents asked to leave a bag or box of non-perishable food items on their front porch by 9 a.m. on Saturday for collection by volunteers

kawarthaNOW - October 21, 2026

The Peterborough City Hall sign. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

‘Peterborough Vote Tracker’ gives voters a look at councillors’ records ahead of October 26 election

Melanie Buddle, board chair for the ReFrame Film Festival, speaks during a preview and donor appreciation event held at Ashburnham Ale House in Peterborough on October 18, 2026. During the event, donors, supports, and volunteers welcomed new creative director Ryan Barnett, saw a preview of films that will be featured during the 2027 festival, and learned more about the recently updated strategic plan, which is focused on ensuring the festival's sustainability. (Photo: Megan Gallant / kawarthaNOW)

ReFrame offers first glimpse of 2027 film festival at donor appreciation event

Peterborough family physician Dr. Madura Sundareswaran is the founder and medical director of the Peterborough Newcomer Health Clinic and the founder of the Peterborough Family Physician Think Tank, now known as PTBO Fam Docs. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Newcomer Health Clinic)

Too much paperwork can mean longer waits for patients, says Peterborough family physician

To mark Small Business Week from October 19 to 25, 2026, this week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series highlights 10 small businesses across the greater Kawarthas region as selected by our readers, including Peterborough businesses Take Cover Books, Sweet Fern Floral Studio, The Doggery, Living Local Marketplace, and Watson & Lou, as well as Millbrook Mercantile in Millbrook, The Roost Farm & Market in Kawartha Lakes, The Old Tin Shed in Bancroft, Centre & Main Chocolate Co. in Warkworth, and Heart N Soul Gifts in Lindsay. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: 10 small businesses worth celebrating in the greater Kawarthas

For Small Business Week, discover local shops, makers, farms, and creative spaces that support their communities while offering something special

Megan Gallant - October 19, 2026

encoreNOW for October 19, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Taylor Lovelace's "I'm Every Woman" Whitney Houston tribute at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre, the Northumberland Players' production of Kristen Da Silva's comedy "Hurry Hard" at the Best Western in Cobourg, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra's season-opening "Strength + Sparkle" concert at Peterborough's Showplace Performance Centre, Public Energy's presentation of Sara Porter's "Bad Poetry" at Peterborough's The Theatre on King, the Peterborough Theatre Guild's production of the First World War drama "Bluebirds" at the Guild Hall in Peterborough's East City, and Roch Voisine's tribute to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot at Showplace. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Healthy school-year routines start with small steps at home

Veronica Nelson, president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, will be leading four community town halls in Coboconk, Pontypool, Fenelon Falls, and Lindsay in October 2026 on the topic of local cancer care and supportive services, along with updates on the hospital's master planning and major projects. (Photo: Ross Memorial Hospital)

Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay bringing cancer care conversations to four Kawartha Lakes communities in October

Survey seeks to understand urban Indigenous community’s priorities for cultural spaces in Peterborough

Bethan Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - October 22, 2026

Nogojiwanong Urban Indigenous Working Group and Trent Society of Architects are gathering input to guide potential spaces, programs, and community initiatives.

Kawartha Art Gallery finally ready to open its new permanent home in downtown Lindsay

October 22, 2026

‘Porch Pirates for Good’ fall food drive for Kawartha Food Share returns October 24

October 21, 2026

‘Peterborough Vote Tracker’ gives voters a look at councillors’ records ahead of October 26 election

October 20, 2026

Too much paperwork can mean longer waits for patients, says Peterborough family physician

October 20, 2026

Kawartha Localist: 10 small businesses worth celebrating in the greater Kawarthas

Megan Gallant - October 19, 2026

For Small Business Week, discover local shops, makers, farms, and creative spaces that support their communities while offering something special.

Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal presents a certificate of recognition of five years of family ownership from the City of Peterborough to The Venue owners April Sendel (left) and Kevin Sendel (second from right) and general manager Tiffany Daskewich (right) during a celebration at the downtown Peterborough event space on October 13, 2026. (Photo: Joshua Gillis)

The Venue in downtown Peterborough celebrates five years of family ownership

October 16, 2026

This week's edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 10 must-try sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas region as selected by our readers, including at The Grape and Wedge in Apsley, Muster Point in Bobcaygeon, Mindful Crowe Lunchbox in Marmora, Milk and Honey Eatery in Lindsay, Tobi's Grab and Go Sandwiches in Bancroft, the Cardiff Country Store, Corner Bites Eatery in Lindsay, Sam's Place in Peterborough, The Counter on King in Colborne, and Wattle & Daub in Bancroft. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: Sink your teeth into 10 standout sandwiches across the greater Kawarthas

October 13, 2026

This edition of kawarthaNOW's "Kawartha Localist" editorial series features 14 family-friendly activities and destinations across the greater Kawarthas region for the Thanksgiving long weekend, including the Fenelon Falls Turkey Trot and the Northumberland Turkey Trot, Duff Acres in Keene, the Buckhorn Harvest Craft Show, Back Forty Farmstead near Bancroft, the Norwood Fall Fair, Harvest Market in Stirling and other local farmers' markets, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and Kawartha Dairy, Sir Sam's in Haliburton County, Robin's Nest Farm Market in Warkworth, Ganaraska River in Northumberland County, Leahy's Farm and Market in Douro-Dummer, Frosted Flour Co. in Port Hope, and more. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Kawartha Localist: 14 things to do with your family on Thanksgiving weekend across the greater Kawarthas

October 6, 2026

Peterborough County Tourism has designed four traveller personas that highlight different ways to experience The Kawarthas based on what you enjoy, what inspires you, and how you like to spend your time while you're visiting this region. The Fox is an adrenaline-seeking traveller who craves new adventures and challenges, especially in nature, and also relishes learning about the places and people around them during their travels. (Graphic: Peterborough County Tourism)

Travel like A Fox in The Kawarthas

October 3, 2026

nightlifeNOW – October 22 to 28

kawarthaNOW - October 22, 2026

Featuring live music listings at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region.

ReFrame offers first glimpse of 2027 film festival at donor appreciation event

October 20, 2026

‘Bluebirds’ at the Peterborough Theatre Guild tells the story of three Canadian nurses in World War I France

October 17, 2026

Slow Leaves, the project of award-winning Winnipeg folk and psych-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Grant Davidson, performs at the Black Horse in downtown Peterborough on Wednesday night (October 21, 2026) with Peterborough's own Matthew Holtby opening. (Photo: Matt Horseman)

nightlifeNOW – October 15 to 21

October 15, 2026

From outdoor gear to farm soil, Peterborough businesses put the circular economy into practice

GreenUP - October 22, 2026

Wild Rock Outfitters' resale program and Woodleigh Farms' biochar pilot show how local businesses can reduce waste while supporting their communities and the environment.

For Small Business Week 2026, the Innovation Cluster is opening its downtown Peterborough workspace to local entrepreneurs, professionals, and small business owners for a free day of coworking on Wednesday, October 21. Participants can use hot desks, high-top tables, and shared work areas, with coffee and light snacks provided, while learning more about the Innovation Cluster’s workspace and membership options. (Photo: Bryan Reid for Innovation Cluster)

Small Business Week brings workshops, networking, and celebrations to Peterborough and the Kawarthas

October 16, 2026

One of the region's largest suppliers and processors of steel, aluminum, brass, and plastic materials, Kawartha Metals Corp. in Peterborough is receiving $500,000 from the federal government toward a $1-million project to expand its advanced steel-processing capabilities through specialized equipment. The company is one of 10 in Eastern Ontario receiving a total of nearly $6.6 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to modernize operations, strengthen competitiveness, and expand products and services. (Photo: Kawartha Metals Corp.)

Five businesses in the Kawarthas region receive more than $2.5 million in federal funding

October 15, 2026

Jeff Menzies and Bill Harris of Kawartha Ethanol with Michael Skinner and Jamie Mason of Miranda Water Technologies at Kawartha Ethanol's Havelock facility during an industrial wastewater treatment pilot using Miranda's MC200 Miracell Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) system, which removed more than 98 per cent of targeted contaminants under tested operating conditions. (Photo courtesy of Miranda Water Technologies)

Kawartha Ethanol in Havelock to buy Miranda Water Technologies system after successful wastewater pilot

October 13, 2026

businessNOW: Giving thanks for new beginnings, lasting milestones, and a community that keeps growing

October 12, 2026

Healthy school-year routines start with small steps at home

Dr. Thomas Piggott - October 19, 2026

Lakelands Public Health's medical officer of health highlights sleep, screen limits, nutritious food, and outdoor activity as families navigate stress and financial pressures.

October is Walktober - a month to highlight the benefits of walking - as well as the month in which municipal elections are happening. Ensuring safe conditions support active transportation around schools, hospitals, recreation centres, and retirement homes are often the responsibilities of the local government. (Photo: Pete Rellinger)

This Walktober, consider how your municipal vote shapes the streets you walk

October 15, 2026

A recently completed garage project built through Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre's Beaver Homes & Cottages program. The program offers more than 500 pre-designed garages and carriage homes, which can be altered to fit each customer's lifestyle and preferences. In addition to providing premium-grade materials for the build, the program includes support from a local consultant to finalize designs, navigate permits, and find a local contractor. (Photo courtesy of Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre)

Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre helps bring your dream garage to life

October 11, 2026

Heat pumps are installed and maintained by Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) businesses like 123 HVAC, based in Selwyn Township and serving the broader Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes region. Owner Cory Rawn (left), pictured with business partner Mike Baker, dispels some common myths about heat pumps in advance of GreenUP's inaugural Heat Pump Week from October 13 to 16, 2026. (Photo courtesy of 123 HVAC)

Too noisy, too costly, too cold? A local HVAC contractor addresses common myths about heat pumps

October 8, 2026

Hannah Bailey, an early childhood educator who works as Quality Inclusion Coach at Five Counties Children's Centre, with her son Max and husband Tom. During the free "Listen With Love" concerts on October 20 and 21, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough, Hannah will share in story and song her own family's inclusion journey, shaped by Max, who was born with a rare genetic condition. (Photo courtesy of Five Counties Children's Centre)

‘Listen with Love’ concerts on October 20 and 21 bring a family’s journey of inclusion to the Market Hall stage

October 7, 2026

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