Ten festivals in the Kawarthas region have been recognized with awards from Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO).
Brighton Applefest, Buckhorn Festival of the Arts, the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, Peterborough Musicfest, Port Hope Arts Festival, Port Hope Candlelight Festival, Westben Summer Festival, Hike Haliburton Festival, and Tweed & Company Theatre Season are among the 2026 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario.
The Hike Haliburton Festival also won an impact award and, although the Peterborough Folk Festival isn’t on the Top 100 list, it was honoured with a sustainability award.
A non-profit organization that has been representing the festivals and events industry in Ontario for more than 30 years, FEO received submissions from its members last fall, which were then judged by an independent panel of judges. The awards were given out on Wednesday night (February 25) during FEO’s annual conference in Kitchener.
Several festivals in the Kawarthas region have made the Top 100 list for the fourth year in a row, including Port Hope Arts Festival, Port Hope Candlelight Festival, Hike Haliburton Festival, and Tweed & Company Theatre Season.
New festivals on this list this year include the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, Peterborough Musicfest, and Westben Summer Festival.
“This recognition belongs to our volunteers, our sponsors, our artists, our donors and every single person who brings a lawn chair down to Del Crary Park on a Wednesday or Saturday night,” said Peterborough Musicfest executive director Tracey Randall in a media release. “Musicfest has always been about access, energy and community — and this honour reflects the strength and spirit of our supporters.”
In addition to making the Top 100 list for the fourth straight year, the Hike Haliburton Festival was also honoured with the FEO Impact Award for festivals with an operating budget of $100,000 or less. The award recognizes festivals or events that have demonstrated a significant positive impact, such as substantial economic, social, or community benefits, within their respective budgets.
Although it isn’t on the Top 100 list, the Peterborough Folk Festival was honoured with the FEO Sustainability Award for festivals with an operating budget of $100,000 to $500,000. Previously known as “Best Greening of the Festival,” the award recognizes festivals or events that implement eco-friendly and sustainable practices within their respective budgets.
