Peterborough shoppers can once again turn their holiday purchases into chances to win thousands of dollars in gift cards with the return of the annual Holiday Shopping Passport program.
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) launched this year’s program on Thursday (November 12), encouraging residents and visitors to shop, dine, and use services at participating businesses throughout downtown Peterborough and East City.
For every $10 spent at a participating business, shoppers receive one stamp. Once a passport is filled with 20 stamps, it can be deposited at any participating location for a chance to win one of four Boro gift card prizes.
The early bird draws on select Wednesdays in December (December 2, 9, and 16) will each award a $500 Boro gift card, with a $1,500 grand prize to be drawn after the holidays on January 6. In total, $3,000 in Boro gift cards will be awarded. Boro gift cards can be redeemed at participating businesses.
The long-running program has become one of the DBIA’s most successful initiatives, generating more than $3 million in annual sales for participating businesses.
“Every independent business downtown contributes something to the character of our community, whether it’s a favourite restaurant, a family-owned shop that’s been here for generations, or a new entrepreneur bringing something exciting to the city,” said Peterborough DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum in a media release.
“When we choose to shop local, we’re doing more than making a purchase. We’re supporting local jobs, investing in our neighbours, and helping create the kind of vibrant downtown we all want to see.”
Mazloum said the passport gives shoppers an incentive to discover businesses they may not otherwise visit while searching for holiday gifts.
Last year, the program expanded across the Hunter Street bridge to include East City businesses for the first time, alongside those in the downtown core.
That expanded footprint continues this year, with businesses including Ashburnham Alehouse, East City Coffee Shop, East City Flower Shop, Hard Winter Bakery, Matsu Sushi Hunter, and the Railyard Café, as well as Living Local Marketplace, which just opened a new location at 59A Hunter Street East.
Shoppers will also have opportunities to fill their passports faster, with purchases earning double stamps during late-night shopping on select Fridays (November 27 and December 4, 11, and 18). Triple stamps will be offered during the Peterborough Santa Claus Parade weekend from December 4 to 6.
The DBIA says the passport program is intended not only to reward shoppers, but to encourage spending at independent businesses during one of the most important retail periods of the year.
“With a wide range of independently owned businesses to explore, the DBIA encourages shoppers to think beyond their usual stops this holiday season,” the organization stated in its media release.
“From thoughtful gifts and locally made products to dining experiences, personal services and unique finds, downtown Peterborough offers plenty of opportunities to shop with a local connection.”
For more information and an updated list of participating businesses, visit theboro.ca/program/holiday-shopping-passports.
2026 Holiday Passport Locations (as of November 12)
- Agave by Imperial
- Amandala’s
- Another World VR
- Art Gallery of Peterborough
- The Art School of Peterborough
- Ashburnham Alehouse
- August Blue Studio
- Avant-Garden Shop
- B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop
- Birch + Bloom Consignment Boutique
- Birdhouse Tattoo
- Black Cat Tattoo & Barber
- The Black Horse Pub
- Black’s Distillery
- Bluestreak Records
- The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
- Boaters World
- Bobo Tea
- Brickhouse Craft Burger Grill
- Brothers Pizza
- By the Books
- Cahill’s Outerwear
- Capra Toro
- The Cell Shop
- Champs
- Charlotte Jewelers
- Charlotte Paint & Wallpaper
- The Cheese Shop
- Chicken N’ Dough
- The Chill Desire
- Chumleighs
- Cork & Bean
- Cozy Home; Designs By Lacey
- Crook & Coffer
- Curate & Co. by KDI
- Curry Village
- De.Kor by Karen
- Desi Dugout
- Dreams of Beans
- Dueling Grounds
- EarSense Audiology
- The Earth Food Store
- East City Coffee Shop
- East City Flower Shop
- Euphoria Wellness Spa
- Flavour
- The Food Shop
- Fork It
- The Foundry Pizza
- Fresh Urban Plate
- Full Circle Finds
- Full Tilt Cycle
- The Gather Studio
- Gentry Apparel
- Gerti’s
- Glow Up District
- Grady’s Feet Essentials
- Green Street
- GRVTY Studio
- Hard Winter Bakery
- Harley Farms
- Hi Ho Silver
- The Hive
- Hobie’s Sports Ltd.
- Holiday Inn Peterborough – Waterfront
- Iceman Video Games
- Insight Optical
- Intrigue Books & Things
- Jasmine Thai Cuisine
- John Roberts Clothiers
- Juniper
- K and C Costumes
- Karma’s Cafe
- Kingan Home Hardware
- Kit Croissanterie & Cafe
- Knock on Wood and More
- Knook and Cranny Vintage
- Knotanew Book Store
- La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
- La Mesita Mexican Restaurant
- Larry Electric
- Lavender Moon
- Law & Orders
- Lift Lock Escape
- Living Local Marketplace
- Love You, Mean It
- Luck of the Draw Games
- Madoi
- Malabar Kitchen
- Matsu Sushi Hunter
- McThirsty’s Pint
- Mercado La Hacienda
- Mike’s Tattoo & Piercing
- Minh’s Chinese Grocery
- Mouthy Teeth Whitening
- Mr. Sub
- Murrdog’s Craft Barbery
- Naka Japanese
- Needle Happy Tattoos
- Needles in the Hay
- The Neighbourhood Vintage
- Niche
- Oasis Mediterranean Grill
- One Eighty Hunter
- Pappas Billiards
- The Pasta Shop
- Peterborough Barbershop
- Peterborough Inn & Suites
- Peterborough Photo Service
- The Pig’s Ear Tavern
- Pipe Dreamz
- Plant Goals
- Providence
- PTBO Public Library
- Railyard Café
- Rawscoe’s Sport Collectibles
- Revive Hair Studio
- Ritual Apothecary
- Runner’s Life
- The Running Room
- Saigon Wrap & Roll
- Salti Yoga
- Sam’s Place
- Sandy’s Cigar & Variety
- Sinders Bridal House
- Skin Remedy
- Smiles to You
- The Social
- Solid Leather
- SOS Save Our Soles
- Sparq Retail
- The Speak Easy Cafe
- St. Veronus Cafe & Taproom
- Stage Barbershop
- Starks Barber Company
- Statement House
- Studio East Hair Salon
- Sugar Me Right!
- Sullivans Pharmacy
- Summer Soul
- Sweet Fern Floral Studio
- T-Elle Boutique by VSL
- Take Cover Books
- Things From Mom’s Basement
- Tiny Greens
- Tonic Hair Studio
- Tora Bistro
- The Toy Shop
- Tribal Voices
- Turnbull Cafe
- Under Pressure Wellness Clinic
- Urban Spa
- Village of Thai
- The Vine
- Vinnie’s Thrift Store
- Watson & Lou
- Whimsy & Wonder
- Wild Rock Outfitters
- Yo Yo’s Yogurt
