Two Juno award-winning musicians will be performing at the 37th annual Peterborough Folk Festival, which takes place from August 13 to 16 in downtown venues and across four stages at Nicholls Oval Park.
On Tuesday morning (May 19), festival organizers announced that award-winning songwriter Bahamas and powerhouse vocalist Begonia — who both shared the 2026 Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year — are among the first wave of more than 30 artists who will be performing during this year’s festival.
Back in February, festival organizers had announced Bahamas would be closing out the festival’s final night on Sunday, August 16 with a full-band performance on the Miskin Law main stage.
Harmony-driven trio The Pairs and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Kelly McMichael will also be headliners, with other announced performers including The Young Novelists, Field Guide, Dean Johnson, The Lucky Ones, The Naysayers, Slow Leaves, The Watched Pots, and Toronto funk collective The Free Label.
The Watched Pots are a songwriting duo based in Peterborough, while several other performers also have deep ties to Peterborough, including Kelly McMichael, Drea Naysayer, Laura Spink of The Young Novelists, and Ryan West of The Lucky Ones.
Short bios of each of the announced artists are provided below.
Canada’s longest-running free admission folk festival, the Peterborough Folk Festival attracts over 16,000 attendees every year, both locals and visitors, and generated an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact.
The festival kicks off with ticketed concerts at downtown Peterborough venues on Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, followed by a weekend at Nicholls Oval Park including free concerts and workshops where artists collaborate for one-of-a-kind performances, an artisans village, and a children’s village with free daily programming from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring crafts, workshops, story time, face painting, and a daily children’s parade.
A registered charity, the Peterborough Folk Festival is run entirely by volunteers and is supported through government grants, partners, sponsors including kawarthaNOW, and community members, with all funds going towards running the festival, including paying artist fees and covering operational costs.
A suggested donation of $25 per person will help to offset a portion of the costs and is eligible for a tax receipt. You can donate online at www.peterboroughfolkfest.com or on-site during the festival.
Featured artists at the 2026 Peterborough Folk Festival
Bahamas
A globally successful touring artist, Bahamas (aka Afie Jurvanen) has earned widespread acclaim across genres, with over three quarters of a billion streams and more than three million monthly listeners. His albums Bahamas Is Afie and Earthtones both won Juno Awards, and he again won Adult Alternative Album of the Year in 2026 for My Second Last Album, which he shared with Begonia.
Begonia
Winnipeg-based artist Begonia (aka Alexa Dirks) is celebrated for her powerful live performances and genre-blending sound. A two-time Juno and Polaris nominee, her 2026 release Fantasy Life earned a Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year, which she shared with Bahamas.
The Pairs
Based in London, Ontario, this internationally touring trio of twin sisters Renee and Noelle Frances Coughlin and their lifelong friend Hillary Watson is known for their harmonies, humour, and intimate stage presence. Their 2025 album Together on a Rock charted in the top 10 on the FAI Folk Charts and received national radio play.
VIDEO: “The Bridge” – Bahamas
VIDEO: “So High” – Begonia
Kelly McMichael
A Polaris-shortlisted songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Kelly McMichael blends indie rock, pop, and experimental sounds. A previous Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist who is now based in Newfoundland, her albums have earned national acclaim, with After the Sting of It winning MusicNL’s Album of the Year and receiving widespread radio play.
The Young Novelists
This internationally touring husband-and-wife duo of Graydon James and Peterborough’s own Laura Spink is known for their rich harmonies and storytelling. Their 2025 album These Dark Canyons was nominated for a 2026 Juno Award.
Field Guide
A Winnipeg-based artist known for atmospheric songwriting, Field Guide (aka Dylan MacDonald) has amassed millions of streams and toured alongside major acts including Bahamas and Leif Vollebekk.
Dean Johnson
The Seattle-based singer-songwriter broke out with his debut album at age 50, earning attention for his emotionally resonant songwriting and distinctive voice.
The Lucky Ones
Blending classic country-roots with contemporary sounds, this Yukon-based group featuring Peterborough’s own Ryan West along with Ian Smith, Kieran Poile, Jeff Dinely, and Ryan McNally draws from generations of musical tradition.
The Naysayers
Led by Drea Naysayer, a previous Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist, along with Ryan Fleming and Jordan Perry, this genre-blending project spans folk, country, alt-rock, and punk. With 10 independent albums and international touring experience, they continue to build a passionate following.
VIDEO: “Bomb” – Kelly McMichael
The Free Label
This Toronto-based six-piece band (Josh Tsakas, Malik Mungo, Cole Mendez, Mathew Fantini, Jason Martin, and Jacob Thompson) delivers high-energy funk, disco, and R&B, with international touring experience and millions of views of their live performances.
The Watched Pots
This Peterborough songwriting duo blend improv songwriting, feminism, humour, and kitchen theatrics to make music creation accessible and fun for beginners.
Slow Leaves
Winnipeg’s Slow Leaves (aka Grant Davidson) writes songs about vulnerability that elevate the ordinary into poignant narratives with indie-folk and pop inclinations.
Moondoggy
Formed in Collingwood in 2018, this lively alternative rock band of brothers Jakob and Ben Matanowitsch along with Jonny Contini, Victor Carrillo, and Matt Grosso is now based in Toronto and has gained tens of millions of streams worldwide and toured across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
VIDEO: “The Old 98” – The Lucky Ones
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sustaining partner of the Peterborough Folk Festival.
