Basia Bulat, Whitehorse, Joel Plaskett among those joining Peterborough Folk Festival
Canada’s longest-running free folk festival is gearing up for its 36th year, bringing together great artists and musicians for a long weekend of great times.
This year’s Peterborough Folk Festival, slated for August 14-17 at Nicholls Oval Park and other venues across the city, features three stages of music, a children’s village with activities and performers, more than 45 artisan vendors, food trucks galore and much more.
Things get off to a strong start on August 14 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre with Basia Bulat and Jeanne Truax, selected as this year’s Emerging Artist. Tickets are required for this performance and can be purchased here.
Music will be found in various venues across Peterborough on Friday, August 15 before the party concentrates at the Nicholls Oval Park on August 16. Gates open at 11 a.m. for just about everything: The artisan village, children’s village, food village and pavilion. There will be three stages featuring heavy-hitting Canadian artists, including Joel Plaskett, Goldie Boutilier, Jeremie Albino, Bells Larson, Shub, My Son the Hurricane, Grievous Angels, Songs of Scratch Garden and many others.
On Sunday, look for performances from Whitehorse, Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Colin Linden of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and a Sharon, Lois and Bram singalong featuring Sharon and Randi.
Admission to the festival is free but donations are appreciated and welcomed.
“As a volunteer-run registered charity, your community leadership and support is vital to the success of promoting and preserving this cultural gem that’s inclusive, welcoming and accessible to everyone,” the organizers say. “In 2025, The Peterborough Folk Festival will once again welcome over 30 artists and bands, including 12 local performers. The lineup features exciting musical performances with full gender parity and strong diversity, including Indigenous artists, artists of colour and artists from the LGBTQ+ communities.”
The full schedule of artists and activities can be found here.
