The Peterborough Folk Festival has announced the final wave of musicians who will be performing at the 37th annual festival, which takes place from August 13 to 16 in downtown venues and across four stages at Nicholls Oval Park.
On Wednesday (July 15), festival organizers revealed that five-time Juno-winning artist Aysanabee and Juno-nominated rocker Terra Lightfoot will be joining previously announced headliners Bahamas, Begonia, Shad, and Kazdoura, with newly announced local musicians including //NEWBERRY//, Songs of Scratch Garden, Joanna Bronson, Glen Caradus, and Hunt the Hare.
Organizers also announced that the festival’s kick-off ticketed concert on Thursday, August 13 at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough will be headlined by acclaimed songwriter Ken Yates with opener Tristan Konkle, a Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who was announced as the festival’s 2026 emerging artist earlier this year.
The kick-off concert will be followed on Friday, August 14 with pop-up performances in downtown Peterborough, with the free festival weekend taking place at Nicholls Oval Park.
This year’s lineup spans a wide variety of genres, including folk, hip-hop, indie rock, country, blues, bluegrass, pop, Arabic funk, and music for kids.
Previously announced musical acts include visiting performers The Pairs, Kelly McMichael, The Young Novelists, Field Guide, Dean Johnson, The Lucky Ones, The Naysayers, The Free Label, Slow Leaves, Moondoggy, The Friendly Frog Freak Show, Tennyson King, Georgia Harmer, Lauren Dillen, and Burs, along with local performers The Watched Pots, Melissa Payne, The Weber Brothers, The Kents, Cale Crowe, and Ollie Mae.
“Folk festivals are about discovery,” says the festival’s artistic director Ryan Kemp in a media release. “You may not know every artist’s name on the lineup today, but I can guarantee you’ll leave the festival having discovered a new favourite. That’s part of the magic.”
Festivalgoers will enjoy performances and programming across four unique stages at Nicholls Oval Park during the free festival weekend.
The Miskin Law Main Stage has undergone a major upgrade and will be the festival’s largest stage, enhancing both the audience experience and artist performances.
The Rotary Stage will spotlight a mix of local and national artists, including The Friendly Frogs Freak Show, Joanna Bronson, The Kents, Moondoggy, and more. The Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha will draw the grand prize winner of their Pay It Forward Lottery from this stage.
The Generation Solar Stage, powered by renewable energy, will offer intimate songwriter performances beneath the trees, creating a unique listening experience for audiences.
The new TD Stage will host collaborative artist workshops, interactive programming, and special performances, including a workshop where Terra Lightfoot and Melissa Payne will perform and interpret each other’s songs.
Along with an artisan village, the weekend will feature the popular children’s village with free daily programming from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. including crafts, workshops, story time, face painting, a daily children’s parade that will be followed by a Round Dance led by Kelli Marshall, and family-friendly entertainment including the return of last year’s hit Songs of Scratch Garden and Glen Caradus.
Additional activities include beadwork workshops, interactive dance sessions, story time with the Peterborough Public Library, and Indigenous-inspired arts programming, including an interactive art installation by Indigenous visual artist Ash Street.
“We invite everyone to experience what a great music festival is all about,” says festival chair Rob Davis. “Bring a blanket and relax on the natural amphitheatre hillside. Stroll through the artisan village. Experience diverse food offerings. Set up a lawn chair beneath the trees of Nicholls Oval Park. Meet up with friends. Peterborough Folk Festival is for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome you all for another incredible weekend of music and connection.”
Canada’s longest-running free admission folk festival, attracting over 16,000 locals and visitors every year and generating an estimated $1.5 million in economic impact, the Peterborough Folk Festival is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers and supported through government grants, sponsors, partners including kawarthaNOW, and community members, with all funds going towards running the festival, including paying artist fees and covering operational costs.
Although the festival weekend is free, a suggested donation of $25 per person will help to offset a portion of the costs and is eligible for a tax receipt.
Organizers are also currently recruiting volunteers for the festival weekend, with opportunities available for community members of all ages, including students who can earn community involvement hours while participating in one of the region’s top cultural events.
To donate online, volunteer for the festival, and purchase tickets for the kick-off concert at Market Hall, visit www.peterboroughfolkfest.com.
Festival schedule highlights
Thursday, August 13 – Market Hall
- Ken Yates
- Tristan Konkle
Friday, August 14
- Downtown Pop-Up Performances
Saturday, August 15
- SHAD
- Aysanabee
- Begonia
- Georgia Harmer
- Dean Johnson
- The Free Label
- Field Guide
- Slow Leaves
- Moondoggy
- The Friendly Frog Freak Show
- The Kents
- The Watched Pots
- BURS
- Songs of Scratch Garden
Sunday, August 16
- Bahamas
- Terra Lightfoot
- Kazdoura
- The Weber Brothers
- The Young Novelists
- Tennyson King
- Hunt The Hare
- Joanna Bronson
- //NEWBERRY//
- Glen Caradus and the Camp Kawartha Chorus Sing Songs of Nature
Performing throughout the weekend
- Kelly McMichael
- Melissa Payne
- The Pairs
- The Lucky Ones
- Ollie Mae
- Lauren Dillen
- Cale Crowe
- Tristan Konkle – 2026 Emerging Artist
kawarthaNOW is proud to be a sustaining partner of the Peterborough Folk Festival.
