It’s not every year that Valentine’s Day falls on the Friday right before the Family Day long weekend, but such is the case for 2025. That offers the perfect excuse to turn the long weekend into an extended four-day celebration with the people you love most — or even a five-day celebration with many Valentine’s Day events happening on Thursday.
Across the Kawarthas region, businesses and organizations are hosting everything from outdoor festivals to encourage quality time with your family to delicious, romantic dinners to help you spoil that special someone. Either way, these events will give you the chance to unwind and spend time with loved ones this Family Day weekend.
“Love is in the Air” in downtown Cobourg – February 13
“Love is in the Air” across downtown Cobourg on Thursday, February 13, when retailers, cafés, and specialty shops will be open late until 8 p.m. so you can shop for the loved ones in your life, while kicking off the love-filled long weekend by dining, sipping, and experiencing what the downtown’s small businesses have to offer.
Participating businesses include Gemini Boutique, Pink Lemon Décor, Hunter’s Holy Dough, Nessie’s, We Made It, All Creatures Great & Small, The Pink Café, Flipping Beautiful,
Ten Thousand Villages, Readers’ Nook, Modella, Brittany & Bros, and more.
Visit the Cobourg Downtown Business Improvement Area website at www.downtowncobourg.ca/events for a full list of participating businesses.
“Love Yourself, Love the Boro” in downtown Peterborough – February 13
Peterborough will also be showing local businesses some love on Thursday, February 13, with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area is inviting visitors and residents to “Love Yourself, Love the Boro.”
Running from 4 to 9 p.m. in downtown Peterborough, the inaugural event includes a self-guided tour of downtown businesses with pop-ups, live entertainment, pampering, and giveaways.
To kick off the event, from 4 to 7 p.m., businesses will be open late offering in-store discounts and promotions, workshops, and demonstrations. Participating businesses include The Vanilla Room, Couture Candy, Needles in the Hay, Watson & Lou, By the Books, Lavender Moon, The Speak Easy Café, Sugar Me Right, Iceman Video Games, Agave, Brothers Pizza, and more.
Then, drop into The Venue between 7 and 9 p.m. for pop-ups from local artists and businesses, live entertainment, pampering, and fun surprises.
For more information and the full list of participating businesses, visit www.theboro.ca/love-yourself-love-the-boro/.
Galentine’s Party at Burleigh Falls Inn – February 13
Leave the boys at home, grab your besties, and head to the falls for a Valentine’s Day celebration filled with laughter and your closest gal pals. The Burleigh Falls Inn is hosting a Galentine’s Day Party on Thursday, February 13 beginning at 7 p.m.
The evening will be complete with a complimentary cocktail or mocktail, snacks, and line-dancing instruction.
Tickets are priced at $25 per person. As of the date of this story, only a few tickets are left. They can be purchased on the Facebook event page.
Paint a portrait at the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s Adult Art Camp – February 13
Who says art camp is just for kids? And what says love more than receiving your own custom portrait from your sweetie or best friend?
The Art Gallery of Peterborough is hosting a Couples and Friends Portrait Paint Night from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, when participants will learn techniques for portrait drawing and painting to craft a portrait of a partner that they can take home. No skill or experience is required, and materials and refreshments will be provided.
Register for $50 at agp.on.ca/learn/programs/adult-programs/adult-art-camp/
Valentine’s Day Dinner and Music at Kawartha Country Wines in Buckhorn – February 14
Dinner, music, and wine makes for a perfectly romantic Valentine’s Day and that’s exactly what Kawartha Country Wines is offering during a special event on Friday, February 14 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The evening at the Buckhorn family winery will kick off with a welcome glass of cider, before a four-course meal will be set to the jazzy soundtrack of Rob Phillips on piano and Carling Stephen on vocals. The meal will include bruschetta, a salad, beef wellington, and a decadent chocolate brownie, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.
To keep the spirits high and complement the meal, diners will be served three specially selected glasses of wine. The dinner will be followed by more music and a Valentine’s Day surprise.
The Valentine’s Day Dinner and Music at Kawartha Country Wines costs $79 per person, with tickets available at kawarthacountrywines.ca.
Valentine’s Day Tea and Valentine’s Brunch at Rolling Grape Vineyard in Bailieboro – February 14 to 16
After being closed for January, Rolling Grape Vineyard in Bailieboro is reopening on the Valentine’s Day weekend and rolling out the love, starting with Valentine’s Day Tea on Friday, February 14. With 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. seatings, the menu features premium David’s Tea loose leaf teas, scones, savoury sandwiches and bites, and sweet desserts. Tickets are priced at $60 per person.
Regular dinner service is also available on Valentine’s Day, including a special live music performance by Kevin Foster from 5 to 9 p.m.
A Valentine’s Weekend Brunch is also available on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, with 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m seatings each day. Brunch boards will include quiche, bacon, salami, salmon, macrons, berries, cheeses, croissants, and more. Boards are priced at $24 per person.
For more information and to book a reservation, visit rollinggrape.com.
Love Day Brunch Features at The Vine in Peterborough – February 14 to 16
From a romantic outing for Valentine’s Day to a great opportunity to gather the whole family together, brunch is something all your loved ones will enjoy. Peterborough pescetarian restaurant The Vine is serving up some lovely offers from Friday, February 14 to Sunday, February 16 with their Love Day brunch features.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the restaurant will be serving up $4 refills on mimosas (including non-alcoholic versions) and the “sir loves-a-lot” sangria. The drinks will pair nicely with special brunch features including fluffy Belgian waffles, panko-crusted seafood cake benny, and a salmon burger. For dessert, there will be lots of love-filled baked goods.
Visit www.thevineptbo.com to reserve your spot.
Till Death BBQ’s all-your-can-eat Valentine’s Feast at the Haliburton Legion – February 15
Nothing says “I love you” quite the way food does, so take your loved one out for as much food as they can eat at Till Death BBQ’s Valentine’s Feast at the Haliburton Legion from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 15.
Till Death BBQ will be serving up a decadent buffet with brisket, pulled pork, fish and chips, chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese, and barbecued veggies, as well as access to a salad bar and dessert bar.
Diners can enjoy music from Joslynn Burford while they enjoy their meals and can take the opportunity to get a special Valentine’s Day photo with a donation to Snowflake Meadows dog day care centre.
Tickets are priced at $45 for adults, $20 for kids 5 to 10, and free for kids under five, with $5 from each adult ticket sold donated to Snowflake Meadows.
Email tilldeathbbqinc@gmail.com to get your tickets.
Peterborough Snofest – February 14 to 17
The City of Peterborough’s annual Snofest winter festival returns from Friday February 14 to Monday, February 17. Residents and visitors can spend their Family Day weekend getting active outside with family-friendly events happening across the city.
Snofest will tick off on Friday with an adult afternoon tea social from 2 to 4 p.m. featuring tabletop games, treats, and tea at the McDonnel Street Community Centre, and a family drop-in swim from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport & Wellness Centre.
Activities on Saturday include a public skate at the Quaker Foods City Square from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Drag Queen Story Time with Betty Baker from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the Peterborough Public Library followed by a “crafternoon” of making shibori-inspired paper snowflakes from 1 to 4 p.m., and a spaghetti dinner hosted by the East Peterborough Lions Club at the McDonnel Street Community Centre from 6 to 8 p.m. (pay what you can, cash only).
Sunday features a free pancake and sausage breakfast offered by the East Peterborough Lions Club and hosted by Mayor Jeff Leal from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, where kids can visit with Snofest Pete and participate in fun family activities in the gym. The afternoon features Family Sunday at the Art Gallery of Peterborough from 1 to 4 p.m. where families can explore current exhibits and drop in to the studio to make their own Snofest Pete to take home.
The celebrations end Monday with free drop-in sports (including pickleball, badminton, and basketball) from 6:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, and a public skate at the new Miskin Law Community Centre from 12 to 1:50 p.m.
Snofest is sponsored by Recycle Your Batteries Canada!, and participants are encouraged to bring their used batteries to selected Snofest events for safe recycling.
For more information, visit www.peterborough.ca/snofest for a full line-up of events.
Bobcaygeon Frost Fest – February 14 to 17
Bobcaygeon will be transformed to a winter extravaganza over the Family Day weekend from Friday, February 14 to Monday, February 17. To break up the winter blues, Bobcaygeon Frost Fest is an annual celebration featuring town-wide sales and specials, outdoor events, and lots of community connection.
The weekend’s outdoor activity highlights include free indoor and outdoor public skating as well as cross country ski trails and tobogganing at Eganridge Resort Golf Club & Spa all weekend long, a myriad of family fun activities at the Kawartha Settlers’ Village on Saturday, February 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the annual Dunsford Lions Club Radar Run on Sturgeon Lake at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 16.
Other activities that can be found around town include face painting, a puzzle hunt, craft stations, blowout sales at local retailers, and more.
There will also be no shortage of food available to keep you warm throughout the weekend, including Valentine’s Day features at Grâz on Friday, February 14 and many offers from Just for the Halibut, including half price for kids, frosty mini donuts, and poutine specials all weekend long.
For a full list of what’s happening during Bobcaygeon Frost Fest, head to www.visitbobcaygeon.com.
Hibernate Festival in downtown Port Hope – February 14 to 17
Described as “a warm hug on a cold weekend, filled with live music, local food, arts, crafts and community,” the annual Hibernate Festival returns to downtown Port Hope for the Family Day long weekend from Friday, February 14 to Monday, February 17. Presented by the Cultivate Festival, Hibernate features a mix of mostly free and some paid events.
Live music kicks off on Friday, February 14 with a pay-what-you-can concert at the Capitol Theatre featuring the Cultivate Festival All-Stars (Kyler Tapscott, Melissa Payne, Derek Downham, Saskia Tomkin, Ian McKeown, and Nicholas Campbell). Free live music on Saturday, February 15 includes Doghouse Orchestra and Matthew Holtby at Ganaraska Brewing Company, Irish Millie and Derek Downham at Beamish House Pub, and Brian Bracken, Jakeb Daniel, and Harry Hannah at The Thirsty Goose, with a ticketed concert featuring The Pairs and Lotus Wight in the Sculthorpe Theatre at the Capitol Theatre. On Sunday, February 16, award-winning Americana artist Kaia Kater and local folk pop duo Shannon & Jakeb will perform at Ganaraska Art and Framing.
Sunday will also see a range of free arts and craft activities for the entire family throughout downtown Port Hope, including Bunting with Kate Hunter from 12 to 4 p.m. at Feel Good Company, Winter Songs and Stories with Pete Moss from 3 to 4 p.m. at Furby House, Design and Print Making from 12 to 3 p.m. at Mad World, Songwriter’s Circle with Shannon Linton from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dwellissimo, Letter Writing and Greeting Card Design from 12 to 4 p.m. at Feel Good Company, Stories and Songs with Ted Staunton from 1 to 2 p.m. at Furby House, Artist Talk & Reception with Raechel Wastesicoot from 12 to 4 p.m. at Port Hope Town Hall, Micro Heritage Tours by ACO Port Hope Branch on the hour in the afternoon, Young Artists Showcase from 12 to 3 p.m. at On 2nd Thought Upcycling, Open Fire and S’mores from 1 to 4 p.m at Linger Zone on John St., and live music from 1 to 4 p.m. at multiple venues.
On Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, Hibernate Eats will see delicious food and drinks from some of Port Hope’s finest downtown restaurants, including The Thirsty Goose, Beamish House Pub, Ganaraska Brewing Company, Olympus Burger, Frosted Flour, Cafe Lviv, and Queenie’s Bake Shop.
Hibernate culminates with a pay-what-you-can Family Day Extravaganza at the Port Hope Lions Recreation Centre from 12 to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 17, featuring performances by Trash Panda Brass, Balfolk Dance, and the Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus as well as arts and crafts and more.
For more information and for tickets for paid events, visit cultivatefestival.ca/hibernate-festival-2025.
The Great Backyard Bird Count – February 14 to 17
Spend the Family Day weekend outdoors this year and show your love for birds by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
Now in its 28th year, the annual global event from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada is returning for the whole weekend from Friday, February 14 to Monday, February 17.
All you have to do is watch for birds! Whether in your backyard or in your favourite local park, spend 15 minutes or more anytime during the weekend and record all the birds you see and hear. Sightings can be uploaded to Merlin Bird ID app (recommended for beginners) or the eBird mobile or desktop app. The data collected will support research on bird populations and help scientists assist birds around the world.
For tips on birding, resources on using the apps to upload the sightings, and more, visit www.birdcount.org.
Family Day Winter Fun in Hastings Highlands – February 15
Get bundled up for an afternoon of winter fun when Hastings Highlands and North Hastings Children’s Services presents “Let’s Celebrate Winter!” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 at Bird’s Creek Park just north of Bancroft.
From 10 a.m. to noon, North Hastings Children’s Services will be offering a variety of outdoor activities including ice chiselling, snow graffiti, snow volcanoes, ice castle building, and snowshoeing. At noon, a free lunch of chili and hot chocolate will be served, followed at 1 p.m. by a winter in nature walk led forest educator Virginia DeCarle.
Weather permitting, ice skating will be available throughout the day, as well as a campfire to keep you warm no matter how cold it is.
For more information, call 613-334-0716 or email eventscoordinator@hastingshighlands.ca.
Blizzardfest at the Buckhorn Community Centre – February 15
Celebrate the Family Day weekend during Blizzardfest at the Buckhorn Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 15.
For a cash donation at the door, participants can enjoy family-friendly activities including outdoor games, horse-drawn wagon rides from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., ice skating, kids’ crafts and live music. Outdoor activities are dependent on the weather.
And don’t miss the chili cook-off, where community members bring their favourite chili recipes fully cooked and ready to be eaten. At around noon, three judges will taste the chili dishes to determine the Judges’ Award Winner, and attendees will cast their votes for the Peoples’ Choice Award.
For more information about Blizzardfest, and to register your chili for the cook-off, visit www.buckhorncommunitycentre.com.
Family Day Celebration in Cobourg – February 17
The Town of Cobourg’s Community Services Division is inviting the community to celebrate Family Day at Rotary Harbourfront Park from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 17.
Due to unseasonable weather, Cobourg’s First Night celebration in January was cancelled, and the festivities will now be rolled into the Family Day celebration, which features skating at the outdoor rink with music by a DJ, horse and wagon rides from the Albert Street Bus Terminal, a scavenger hunt, fireworks at 7 p.m., soups and sandwiches from a local food vendor, special guests from Cobourg’s fire and police departments, and more.
For more information, visit www.experiencecobourg.ca.
