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

Toronto reggae band Reggaddiction will be performing a tribute to Bob Marley at the Gordon Best Theatre in downtown Peterborough on Friday night. (Photo via reggaddiction.com)

nightlifeNOW – February 26 to March 4

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

kawarthaNOW - February 26, 2026

Peterborough Musicfest, Port Hope Candlelight Festival, the Art Gallery of Peterborough's Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, and Hike Haliburton are four of the nine festivals in the Kawarthas region that made Festivals and Events Ontario's 2026 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. Although the Peterborough Folk Festival isn't on the Top 100 list, it was honoured with an FEO Sustainability Award. (kawarthaNOW screenshots of Festivals and Events Ontario videos)

Ten festivals in the Kawarthas region recognized with awards from Festivals and Events Ontario

Also known as vermicomposting, worm composting transforms food waste into "black gold," a rich natural fertilizer that helps improve soil structure, increase water retention, and provide slow-release nutrients to optimize plant growth. (Photo: Callie Downer / Our Little Wormery)

Worms can turn food waste into ‘black gold’ and help fight climate change

A member of the Peterborough Police Service at a booth during Family Literacy Day at Peterborough Square on January 24, 2026 sharing information with the community about the refreshed N0H8 ("No Hate") public education and awareness campaign. The campaign aims to bring awareness to hate and bias incidents and to provide resources on how such incidents can be reported. (Photo: Peterborough Police Service)

Peterborough Police Service aims to increase reporting of hate and bias incidents through N0H8 public education and awareness campaign

Community Care Northumberland's first-ever Casino Royale fundraiser at Port Hope's Capitol Theatre on February 12, 2026 raised $39,886 for local care programs and services across Northumberland County. (Photo: Karen Truter)

Port Hope community goes all in at Casino Royale fundraiser, raising nearly $40,000 for Community Care Northumberland

Inaugural event saw historic Capitol Theatre transformed into a Vegas-style night in support of local care programs and services

kawarthaNOW - February 25, 2026

Ontario NDP MPP and education critic Chandra Pasma addresses the audience at an "education emergency townhall" about the Ontario government's Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act (2025) on February 23, 2026 at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre. (Photo: Bethan Bates / kawarthaNOW)

Ontario NDP education critic warns Bill 33 is an attack on democracy during Peterborough townhall

Some of the participants of the United Way Haliburton Kawartha Lakes inaugural Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in 2024. Taking place in communities across Canada, the initiative invites participants to get out of the comfort of their homes to experience life on the streets for vulnerable and unhoused people while raising funds for local charities. In the Kawarthas region, the 2026 walk is taking place on Saturday, February 28 in Lindsay, Peterborough, Cobourg, and Port Hope. (Photo courtesy of United Way Haliburton Kawartha Lakes)

‘Coldest Night of the Year’ community walks taking place in Lindsay, Peterborough, Cobourg, and Port Hope this Saturday

GE Vernova plans to demolish 25 buildings at its factory complex at 107 Park Street North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo: Google Maps)

Peterborough city council votes against asking GE Vernova to provide a demolition plan

An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) police car. (Photo: OPP)

41-year-old Peterborough County man facing attempted murder charge in intimate partner violence incident

Victim was taken to hospital after their former partner arrived at their house Monday morning and assaulted them

kawarthaNOW - February 24, 2026

Cars on road during winter storm with snow causing poor visibility.

More snow expected in the Kawarthas region beginning Tuesday evening

Located in the Township of Cavan Monaghan, Staples Maple Syrup is a family business that has been producing award-winning maple syrup for over five decades, with its products available at local businesses and farmers' markets including the Peterborough Farmers' Market. Since they are often too busy to promote their product, the farm is an active participant in agricultural programs led by Peterborough County, including Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale project. (Photo courtesy of Staples Maple Syrup)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Staples Maple Syrup taps into local economic development initiatives

The 25th anniversary Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival takes place on June 13, 2026 on Little Lake at Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough's Dragon Boat Festival)

Peterborough’s Dragon Boat Festival marks 25 years of paddling for cancer care this summer

Ten festivals in the Kawarthas region recognized with awards from Festivals and Events Ontario

Bruce Head - February 26, 2026

Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour and Peterborough Musicfest new to the Top 100 list this year, with special awards for Hike Haliburton Festival and Peterborough Folk Festival.

Peterborough Police Service aims to increase reporting of hate and bias incidents through N0H8 public education and awareness campaign

February 25, 2026

Port Hope community goes all in at Casino Royale fundraiser, raising nearly $40,000 for Community Care Northumberland

February 25, 2026

Ontario NDP education critic warns Bill 33 is an attack on democracy during Peterborough townhall

February 25, 2026

‘Coldest Night of the Year’ community walks taking place in Lindsay, Peterborough, Cobourg, and Port Hope this Saturday

February 24, 2026

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Staples Maple Syrup taps into local economic development initiatives

Megan Gallant - February 24, 2026

Cavan Monaghan producer strengthens local network through Kawartha Choice FarmFresh and Kawartha Local Food Wholesale projects.

Dave Kranenburg is the founder of Graze & Gather, which originally launched as a virtual farmers' market during the pandemic and now functions as the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program's Green Circle Food Hub. Supporting expanded production and procurement within Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough, and the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Green Circle Food Hub is seeking participation from local food producers and buyers interested in showcasing local ingredients. (Photo: Graze & Gather)

The Local Advantage with Peterborough County: Graze & Gather makes it easy for local food producers to connect with buyers

February 17, 2026

Burleigh Falls Inn is one of 18 local businesses participating in the Lakefield Village Lions Club's sixth annual Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival, serving up a Chocolate Love Bomb made with rich chocolate brownie, raspberry coulis, freeze dried raspberries, and pistachio. Running until February 17, 2026, the festival invites community members and visitors to tour participating businesses in the village to try specialty chocolate creations and vote on their favourites. The success of the event has inspired the Millbrook & District Lions Club to launch the inaugural Roar for Chocolate Event across Millbrook until February 21, 2026. (Photo: Lakefield Village Lions Club)

Know Your Locals: Lakefield Chocolate Creations Festival inspires Millbrook to ‘Roar for Chocolate’

February 12, 2026

Located in Selwyn Township, McLean Berry Farm is one of more than 800 farms operating on more than 180,000 acres of farmland across Peterborough County. To support the farms that significantly contribute to the region's economic prosperity, Peterborough County Economic Development is supporting and promotes initiatives like the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale program, which makes it easy for food buyers to purchase wholesale from local producers. (Photo: Peterborough County Economic Development)

Growing local: Peterborough County is strengthening the farm economy

February 9, 2026

Jena Trimble founded Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services in 2020 to support clients across The Kawarthas. Now taking on more residential clients, the company and its dedicated team offers deep cleans and regular maintenance as well as additional services including wash-and-fold laundry services with free pickup and delivery. Jena's team of full-time and part-time cleaning professionals uses an original all-natural and all-purpose cleaner that's also available for purchase and refills. (Photo: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services)

Know Your Locals: Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services will clean your space and clear your mind

February 8, 2026

nightlifeNOW – February 26 to March 4

kawarthaNOW - February 26, 2026

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

encoreNOW for February 23, 2026 features (from left to right, top and bottom) the Highly Likely festival at Take Cover Books in Peterborough, "Midnight Madness" at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, "Tom Thomson's Wake" at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, Craig Cardiff at the Market Hall in Peterborough, Séan McCann at the Bancroft Village Playhouse, and the documentary "We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes" at Bancroft Village Playhouse. (kawarthaNOW collage)

Local women tell the silenced stories of female villains in Peterborough photographer Heather Doughty’s new exhibit

February 22, 2026

Gráinne Ryan & The Knight Riders (Alan Black on drums, Andy Pryde on bass, Sean Daniels on keyboards, and Jeremy Spencley on lead guitar) will be hosting the Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association's monthly Deluxe Live event at The Social Pub in downtown Peterborough on Saturday afternoon, with singer-songwriter Mark Beatty opening. (Photo: Andy Carroll)

nightlifeNOW – February 19 to 25

February 19, 2026

Juno award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Bahamas will be performing with a full band on the to close out the Peterborough Folk Festival on the Miskin Law Main Stage at Nicholls Oval Park on August 16, 2026. (Publicity photo)

Juno award-winning artist Bahamas to close out the Peterborough Folk Festival this summer

February 19, 2026

Ask the energy experts: Free open house in Peterborough on February 18 targets small business savings

GreenUP - February 12, 2026

Informal 'ask my anything' breakfast session hosted by Peterborough DBIA and GreenUP will cover heat pumps, solar energy, general efficiency upgrades, and more.

Organizers, sponsors, and some of the 60 nominees for the second annual Luminary Awards for Women in Business during a nominee announcement at the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce offices on February 11, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)

60 women nominated for second annual Luminary Awards for Women in Business

February 11, 2026

Community Futures Peterborough has announced a nine-part Entrepreneurship 101 workshop series for spring 2026, including two new workshops on SEO and e-commerce and employer obligations. (Photo: Community Futures Peterborough)

Community Futures Peterborough expands Entrepreneurship 101 series for spring

February 10, 2026

Brody Klages is the Electrical Team Lead at Peterborough's Quickmill, which has grown into one of the world's leading manufacturers of large-scale machining centers over the past 40 years. With the U.S. currently its most important export market, Quickmill is pursuing a diversified growth strategy and has been invited by the federal government to join a select group of Canadian export-ready companies for the Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico from February 15 to 20, 2026. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)

Peterborough manufacturer Quickmill is pursuing a diversified growth strategy amid shifting trade winds

February 9, 2026

The City of Kawartha Lakes unveiled a sign on November 18, 2025 to mark the site of the new $50-million Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Headquarters at 230 Angeline Street South in Lindsay. (Photo: City of Kawartha Lakes)

Trade contractors invited to apply for new $50-million Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Headquarters in Lindsay

February 6, 2026

Worms can turn food waste into ‘black gold’ and help fight climate change

GreenUP - February 26, 2026

Callie Downer of Our Little Wormery in Peterborough explains how vermicomposting improves soil health and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Artist Pat Calvert poses in front of a section of her mural at Five Counties Children's Centre in Peterborough, with Silly the Goldfish in the frame. Silly is a character that shows up around 500 times in various different situations and poses on the expansive, water-themed mural that has graced the walls and hallways of Five Counties for nearly 25 years. (Photo: Five Counties Children's Centre)

A legacy in paint: How Pat Calvert’s imagination transformed the halls of Five Counties Children’s Centre

February 18, 2026

A red wooden heart on a dark background. (Stock photo)

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Electric City Sex & Wellness Expo hosted by PARN

February 10, 2026

The Haliburton Highlands detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is located at 12598 Highway 35 in Minden. (Photo: OPP)

Haliburton County high school students can learn about a career in policing at upcoming youth in policing academy

February 9, 2026

The City of Peterborough is presenting the annual Snofest family-friendly winter festival on the Family Day long weekend from February 13 to 16, 2026. This year, free indoor skating will run on Family Day Monday on both ice pads at the Miskin Law Community Complex. Other Snofest events take place at McDonnel Street Community Centre, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, Quaker Foods City Square, the Peterborough Public Library, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. (Photo: City of Peterborough)

Peterborough’s Snofest returns for the Family Day long weekend with four days of free winter fun

February 7, 2026

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