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

A "tiny home" built in the backyard of a residential property owned by One City Peterborough, part of a partnership with Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) to construct additional rental units (ARUs) after PATH was unsuccessful in its efforts to obtain approvals from the City of Peterborough for temporary use by-laws to build a sleeping-cabin community for chronically unhoused people. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of One City Peterborough video)

New partnership gives Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes a path forward on supportive housing

After suffering setbacks in its efforts to establish a sleeping cabin community, PATH is now working with One City Peterborough to build additional rental units

Bethan Bates - April 8, 2026

Juno award-winning pop-rock musician Gowan will open the 39th season of Peterborough Musicfest at Del Crary Park on June 27, 2026, with popular Toronto-based pop-rock cover band Dwayne Gretzky performing on July 29. (kawarthaNOW collage of supplied photos)

Gowan and Dwayne Gretzky return to perform at Peterborough Musicfest this summer

Tourism-related busineses based in and around Peterborough County are invited to Kollab in The Kawarthas, a full-day interactive event designed to encourage partnerships that will grow businesses and promote The Kawarthas as a tourist destination. Held during National Tourism Week on April 21, 2026 at Elmhirst's Resort in Keene, the event will include a keynote speaker, panel discussions, interactive activities, tools and resources, and a speed networking session. (Photo: The Kawarthas Tourism)

Know Your Locals: Peterborough County hosting a day of collaboration and connection for local tourism-related businesses

City of Kawartha Lakes councillors vote in favour of a memorandum from deputy mayor Tracy Richardson opposing the proposed Alto project "in its current form" at a committee of the whole meeting on April 7, 2026. (kawarthaNOW screenshot of City of Kawartha Lakes video)

City of Kawartha Lakes joins growing rural pushback against Alto high-speed rail proposal

Juno award-winning Canadian jazz vocalist Molly Johnson performing with pianist Robi Botos and bassist Mike Downes at the 2019 Kensington Market Jazz Festival in 2019. Johnson will be performing with Botos and Downes along with drummer David Direnzo at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough on April 26, 2026 as part of the annual International Jazz Day Peterborough celebrations. (Photo via Tom's Place website)

Molly Johnson headlines International Jazz Day Peterborough with April 26 Market Hall concert

Annual jazz celebration also features Dine With Jazz events with local jazz duos on April 25 at downtown restaurants

Bruce Head - April 7, 2026

Burlington-based SIREG Management Inc. has filed an appeal with the Ontario Land Tribunal after Peterborough city council denied its application to convert a townhouse complex of 128 three-bedroom rental units at 700 Parkhill Road West into condominiums. After filing the appeal, SIREG also notified tenants of its intention to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an above-guidance rental increase as a result of capital expenditures and building improvements made at the property. (Photo: SIREG Management Inc.)

Tenants at 700 Parkhill in Peterborough face rent hike uncertainty as condo conversion appeal heads to Ontario Land Tribunal

Located in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, Woodleigh Farms uses sustainable and regenerative practices to farm corn, wheat, soy, and oat, produce maple syrup, and operate a passive greenhouse and market garden. The sixth-generation family farm is piloting an innovative project that converts unmarketable forest biomass into compost and organic soil amendments to improve the health of soil for generations to come. To connect with local buyers, Woodleigh Farms will be participating in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program supported by Peterborough County. (Photo courtesy of Woodleigh Farms)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Woodleigh Farms is sowing the seeds for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future

Brief but intense snowfall expected for Kawarthas region Monday night into Tuesday morning

encoreNOW for April 6, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) Public Energy's presentation of Chris Earle's one-man show "Donnie and Me and the CBC" at Peterborough's Market Hall, Steve Marriner in concert at the Coboconk Legion and at the Market Hall, Peterborough Theatre Guild's season-ending production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein," Peterborough Pop Ensemble's 25th-anniversary concert at the Market Hall, Performing Arts Lakefield's presentation of The Happy Pals New Orleans Music Orchestra at Lakefield United Church, and a week-long season rollout community celebration for Port Hope's Capitol Theatre. (kawarthaNOW collage)

encoreNOW – April 6, 2026

Featuring 'Donnie and Me and the CBC', Steve Marriner, 'Young Frankenstein', the Peterborough Pop Ensemble, The Happy Pals New Orleans Music Orchestra, and the Capitol Theatre's season rollout celebration

Paul Rellinger - April 6, 2026

Chris Earle transports audiences to Montreal in the 1970s in "Donnie and Me and the CBC," a hilarious and touching show being presented by Public Energy Performing Arts on April 15 and 16, 2026 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough. Directed and dramaturged by Shari Hollett, the one-man performance explores Earle's relationship with his "fiercely unconventional" mother Donnie and their shared obsession with CBC Radio after the family moved to Montreal from the U.S. in 1974 and left the family TV set behind. (Photo courtesy of The Night Kitchen)

Public Energy turns the dial to 1970s Montreal with Chris Earle’s nostalgic and hilarious ‘Donnie and Me and the CBC’

Peterborough Community Health Centre executive director Ashley Safar, former YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Lynn Zimmer, Senator Marilou McPhedran, Maryam Monsef's niece Ellia, and Kawartha Financial Services senior manager of commercial solutions Darlene Weales hold white roses in memory of the late Peterborough civic leader Ann Farquharson during the "A Conversation About The Status of Women In Our Community" event at Market Hall in downtown Peterborough on March 31, 2026, presented by Maryam Monsef's organization ONWARD in partnership with the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, which featured 16 female speakers engaging in conversation on important issues related to women's health, resilience, and leadership. (Photo: Jordan Lyall / kawarthaNOW)

Systemic barriers facing women highlighted at event held in honour of late Peterborough civic leader Ann Farquharson

Rainfall warnings now in effect for entire Kawarthas region for Saturday

News & Community

New partnership gives Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes a path forward on supportive housing

Bethan Bates - April 8, 2026

After suffering setbacks in its efforts to establish a sleeping cabin community, PATH is now working with One City Peterborough to build additional rental units.

City of Kawartha Lakes joins growing rural pushback against Alto high-speed rail proposal

April 7, 2026

Tenants at 700 Parkhill in Peterborough face rent hike uncertainty as condo conversion appeal heads to Ontario Land Tribunal

April 7, 2026

Brief but intense snowfall expected for Kawarthas region Monday night into Tuesday morning

April 6, 2026

Systemic barriers facing women highlighted at event held in honour of late Peterborough civic leader Ann Farquharson

April 4, 2026

Keep It In The Kawarthas

Know Your Locals: Peterborough County hosting a day of collaboration and connection for local tourism-related businesses

Megan Gallant - April 7, 2026

'Kollab in The Kawarthas' on April 21 at Elmhirst's Resort in Keene features a keynote speaker, panel discussions, interactive activities, and speed networking.

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Woodleigh Farms is sowing the seeds for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future

April 7, 2026

Registration is now open for spring and summer programs led by the Peterborough Canoe & Kayak Club on Little Lake. Guided by competitive sprint canoeist and head coach Zoe Bergeron, the youth programs include full-day sprint camps, high-performance training, and a new youth dragon boat team. Registration is also open for master's programs for adults, which include community, competitive, and dragon boat programs. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Canoe & Kayak Club)

Know Your Locals: Learn to paddle on Little Lake this summer with new programs led by Peterborough Canoe & Kayak Club

April 3, 2026

In response to a need identified by their clients, Sullivan Law Ptbo has launched new personal care coordination services to help individuals or their powers of attorney navigate the practical, legal, and logistical aspects of care, especially during periods of vulnerability or transition. Working with the lawyers at Sullivan Law Ptbo as well as local partner services, Personal Care Coordinator Melissa Kenny will create an integrated and holistic client-centred plan that can adapt to an individual's changing needs as well as respond to crisis situations. (Photo courtesy of Sullivan Law Ptbo)

Know Your Locals: Sullivan Law Ptbo introduces new personal care coordination services

April 1, 2026

Lindsey Irwin is the third owner of The Lakefield Panty, an old-time groceteria that has operated in the Township of Selwyn for 45 years. As a serial entrepreneur, Irwin knows how crucial it is to support local and how difficult it can be make connections with new suppliers while simultaneously running a business. That's why she remains grateful for the support of Peterborough County and their agricultural programming, including the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale and Kawartha Choice FarmFresh programs. (Photo courtesy of The Lakefield Pantry)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: The Lakefield Pantry maintains a legacy rooted in local partnerships

March 31, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Gowan and Dwayne Gretzky return to perform at Peterborough Musicfest this summer

Bruce Head - April 8, 2026

Juno award-winning pop-rock musician will open the 39th season on June 27 with his 4th appearance, with Toronto cover band playing for the 6th time on July 29.

Molly Johnson headlines International Jazz Day Peterborough with April 26 Market Hall concert

April 7, 2026

encoreNOW – April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026

Public Energy turns the dial to 1970s Montreal with Chris Earle’s nostalgic and hilarious ‘Donnie and Me and the CBC’

April 5, 2026

Montreal indie rockers Knitting (Mischa Dempsey from The Lonely Parade, Sarah Harris, and Andy Mulcair) return to Peterborough for the first time in two years to perform their '90s-inspired blend of slacker rock and grunge at Sadleir House in Peterborough on Friday night, with Beached Out and Hit N Run also performing. (Promotional photo)

nightlifeNOW – April 2 to 8

April 2, 2026

Local Business

All Creatures Great and Small in Cobourg was the recipient of the inaugural Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Award at the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce's 23rd annual Business Achievement Awards in partnership with the Town of Cobourg. One of nine awards presented on March 27, 2026, the IDEA Award recognizes businesses that have taken proactive steps to raise awareness about the importance of welcoming and accommodating all. (Photo courtesy of Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce)

Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce announces winners of 23rd annual Business Achievement Awards

kawarthaNOW - March 30, 2026

This year's awards featured nine updated and new categories, with winners announced March 27 in Cobourg.

Lisa Couture of Couture Candy PTBO has transitioned her small business at 386 George Street North in downtown Peterborough from a traditional storefront into a full-time live selling model, whereby she hosts a livestream on social media to present products that viewers can purchase online. Couture says the increasingly popular marketing strategy could be the "resurgence" that small businesses need, and is hosting consultations to help other small business owners use and benefit from the new trend. (Photo: Couture Candy PTBO / Instagram)

‘The resurgence that small businesses need right now’: two Peterborough retailers who have embraced live selling

March 24, 2026

Rhonda Keenan, General Manager of Peterborough County Economic Development, stands between Lori Alexander and Ryan Taylor, two of the six graduates of the first cohort of Community Futures Peterborough's free NEXT (New Entrepreneurial eXploration Training) program for displaced workers. Funded in part by Peterborough County, the NEXT program was originally intended to provide on-site training at local companies that had announced layoffs but was redesigned after other displaced workers reached out to Community Futures Peterborough to ask if they could participate in the program. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough marks first graduating cohort of NEXT program for displaced workers

March 13, 2026

Donning hip waders and safety gear, staff from Engage Engineering collect garbage in and along the creek beside their downtown Peterborough office every spring, and plant native species along the banks of the creek. The efforts of the business are bringing wildlife back to the area. Pictured are Steven Dingman, Dominik Jedrzejewski, Logan Mattern, and Joshua Burke. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)

Peterborough business makes caring for the local environment a team effort

March 12, 2026

Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon is one of the three finalists for the Tourism Excellence Award for the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Awards of Excellence. The winners of 17 awards will be announced at the awards gala at the Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay on Saturday, April 25, along with Business Person Of The Year, Legacy Leader Of The Year, and Citizen Of The Year. (Photo: Globus Theatre)

Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for 2026 Awards of Excellence

March 4, 2026

Lifestyle & Family

Standing in his yard backing onto a forest, Peterborough resident Lyn Jones assesses his property for fire risk. Climate events such as last spring's ice storm and summer drought have resulted in properties being littered with branches, brush, and other debris. These can create "fuel ladders," a pathway for wildfires to climb from the ground into the forest canopy. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson / GreenUP)

With climate change making wildfires worse, reducing risk starts close to home

GreenUP - April 2, 2026

Peterborough landscape architect Basterfield and Associates says completing a fire hazard assessment is the first step to protect your property.

Kat Senyk in front of her upgraded home in Port Perry. Through her work experience leading exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) overcladding projects, she was inspired to retrofit her own home's exterior insulation, contributing to a nearly 50 per cent reduction in energy use. (Photo: Adrian Merrit Smith)

Innovative exterior insulation system can help make older homes more energy efficient

March 26, 2026

The 2026 PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 will take over the Healthy Planet Arena with over 200 vendors. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking is free. The annual spring tradeshow is hosted by Oldies 96.7. Freq 90.5, and PTBOToday.ca of My Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and presented by title sponsor Forest Hill TK & Co Real Estate. (Photo courtesy of MBC)

Spring into your next project at the PTBO Home, Garden and Cottage Show on April 11 and 12

March 25, 2026

The hooded merganser, a fish-eating duck that overwinters in the U.S., is one of the species you will see and hear this spring as migratory birds return to the Kawarthas region. According to Peterborough Field Naturalists president Sue Paradisis, the spring migration period is one of the best times of year for birders as many waterfowl species congregate in the area while they wait for northern lakes to thaw so they can return to their breeding grounds. You can join the Peterborough Field Naturalists for the "Return of the Birds to Little Lake" community event on March 28 and 29, 2026 at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove on the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Field Naturalists)

Spring is a great time to take up birding according to Peterborough Field Naturalists

March 22, 2026

B!KE program manager Jean Greig with kids' bikes in need of refurbishing. Through the Kids Bike Build program, B!KE volunteers repair donated bikes and provide them to partner organizations who distribute them to children and families who may not otherwise have the means to obtain one. (Photo courtesy of B!KE)

Kids Bike Build program in Peterborough gives new life to old bikes and new freedom to kids

March 19, 2026

Weather

For more local weather, environmental conditions, and travel resources, visit our Weather & Travel page.

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