Registration For City of Peterborough's Winter Programming Has Opened
/Registration has opened for the City of Peterborough’s 2025 Recreation and Park Services winter programming.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
Quaker Foods City Square to Hold Tree Lighting Ceremony For Second-Straight Year
/Quaker Foods City Square is becoming a hub for the holidays and community as for a second straight year, they are hosting a tree-lighting ceremony and market event on Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) will partner to host this year's event.
“Quaker Foods City Square has become a winter downtown destination for locals and visitors alike where people can come together and enjoy getting active with a skate on the outdoor rink.,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “The return of the tree and the illuminated ‘PTBO’ sign creates a perfect backdrop for festive fun, and I look forward to celebrating the season with the community.”
“The tree lighting ceremony at Quaker Foods City Square is a great way to bring our community together to celebrate the season during one of the most exciting times of year in Downtown Peterborough,” said Nour Mazloum, Peterborough DBIA executive director. "We're excited to partner with the City of Peterborough to host this event with skating, music and festive treats, while showcasing all that downtown Peterborough has to offer.”
Tree lighting ceremony activities include:
Official opening of the outdoor rink (weather dependent) with Learn to Skate programming from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Open Skate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Live DJ playing upbeat and family-friendly music
Giant board games from the Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
Kids activities including colouring pages and photo opportunities with Peterborough Petes’ mascot Roger
Merchandise and gift cards for sale from The Boro, as well as Petes’ merchandise from downtown retailer Rawscoe’s Sports Collectibles
Downtown vendors with food and beverage items available for purchase including hot chocolate from The Vanilla Room, beverages from BOBO Tea, and cookies and treats from The Chill Desire and Em and Oms Cookies
Peterborough Regional Health Centre presents promoting “The Sharing Tree” holiday fundraising campaign
Free skate sharpening by Runner’s Life
The tree-lighting will take place at 6 p.m. when Mayor Leal will turn on the lights.
The event also kicks off the outdoor skating season in the Square. Depending on weather conditions, the refrigerated skating rink is anticipated to be open through the winter months.
City staff are currently preparing the site and monitoring conditions to ensure safe ice.
Parking is available on-street or at the King Street Parkade, which is adjacent to the square.
Free two-hour holiday parking is available at all downtown municipal parking spaces, including on-street parking, municipal parking lots, the King Street Parking Garage and the Simcoe Parking Garage until Dec.31.
Wolfe Personal Injury Lawyers sponsored the parking initiative with all voluntary parking fees going towards Kawartha Food Share.
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New Animal Showcased at Riverview Park and Zoo's 'Wild Winter' This Saturday
/The Riverview Park and Zoo is celebrating the holiday season with its ‘Wild Winter' event which starts at 11 a.m. this Saturday.
Photo courtesy of the Riverview Park & Zoo
Meet the Keeper sessions will be held throughout the day to introduce a new animal into the zoo. They also plan to make an announcement at the otter exhibit.
Riverview is accepting donations of children’s toys for the Children’s Foundation and non-perishable food items for Kawartha Food Share.
The gift shop will offer hot chocolate (by donation). It also offers holiday shopping and animal adoptions.
The schedule is as follows:
11 a.m. – Meet the Keeper – Caribou
1:30 p.m. – Otter Enrichment & Announcement
2:30 p.m. – Alpaca walk
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'Christmas By Candlelight' Hits Lang Pioneer Village To Get In the Holiday Spirit
/Lang Pioneer Village is celebrating a traditional pioneer Christmas with ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ for Dec. 7 and 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Heather Doughty Photography and Lang Pioneer Village.
The village is being lit with candles, lamps and lanterns. The nights feature horse-drawn wagon rides, campfire stories, old holiday treats, photo shoots and Christmas carols.
Events and activities include holiday treat samples, reindeer games, meals, raffles and more.
Sunday at 7 p.m. will feature a live nativity complete with animals and a choir by the Keene United Church.
Lang Pioneer Village is requesting one or more non-perishable food item(s) to donate to the Otonabee South Monaghan Food Cupboard (drop off in the Museum Shop).
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Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough Reveal Rebel Awards Recipients
/The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough (EFRY) unveiled its Rebel Awards recipients ahead of its eighth-annual Rebel With A Cause fundraising event at Showplace Performance Centre on Nov. 27.
Photo courtesy of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough.
EFRY says the ceremony honours outstanding local individuals and organizations who have engaged in advocacy and action to address issues of criminalization, challenged practices in the criminal justice system, and worked towards gender equity.
There are live performances by Peterborough’s Babe Chorus and Poet Laureate Ziysah von Bieberstein. A silent auction, a 50/50 draw and a photo booth are fundraising efforts that will be at the ceremony. This year, all proceeds raised will support the Morning Drop-in Program at Trinity Center.
The 2024 Rebel with a Cause Award recipients are;
Cheyenne Buck, Drop-in Program Coordinator- One City Peterborough
Kelli Marshall, Indigenous Enrollment Advisor/ Dancer - First Peoples House of Learning
Jocelyn Enright, Community Engagement Coordinator, Kawartha Sexual Assault Center
This year, EFRY is introducing two new awards categories that highlight the work of community partners and businesses that work thoughtfully and creatively to support and uplift vulnerable communities experiencing challenges associated with mental health, addiction, homelessness and criminalization.
The Inaugural recipients we are honouring this year are:
PATH Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes - Radical Audacity Award
Arising Collective- Business Excellence Award
Tickets are available online or at the Showplace Performance Centre Box Office at 290 George St. N. Tickets include a light dinner and refreshments.
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Lakefield Farmers’ Market's Annual Holiday Market Runs On Dec. 1
/The Lakefield Farmers’ Market invites everyone to shop local and celebrate the season at its annual Holiday Market held at the parking lot beside The Village Inn in Lakefield on Dec. 1.
Locally made gits from Otonabee Apiary. Photo courtesy of the Lakefield Farmers’ Market.
The market will contain a variety of local products, including freshly backed goods, knitwear, VQA wines, local meats, honey, maple syrup, hot sauces, handmade dog treats, prepared meals nd more.
“Our Holiday Market has become a beloved tradition, and we’re thrilled to host it again this year,” said Stacey Sullivan, Market Manager. “It’s a great opportunity for customers to visit their favourite vendors, find unique holiday gifts and since it’s on a Sunday, it’s perfect for those who can’t attend our regular Thursday market.”
Participating vendors include: A1 Gluten Free Gals, Buns & Sweets, Grandma Needled It, Jen’s Home Baking, Jess’s Kitchen, La Mesita Restaurante, Leahy Stock Farm, Otonabee River Crat Co., Ontario Cheese Union, Pillitteri Estates Winery, Purple Tongue Hot Sauce, The Doggery, The Jam Cupboard, Wagner Maple Products, Washburn Island Soaps, and Yellow House Bees & Otonabee Apiary (Vendor list subject to change).
The Holiday Market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Fourth-Annual Darkness to Light Event Brings Community Members Impacted By Suicide Together In Sunrise Gathering
/Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) is hosting its fourth-annual Darkness To Light for community members impacted by suicide and overdose on Dec. 21 at Rogers Cove.
Photo courtesy of Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation.
The outdoor sunrise gathering marks brighter days ahead after the solstice which is the day with the smallest amount of daylight.
Julie Brown — who led last year’s event — is returning to lead the group with a message of support and a moment of silence as the sun rises on the winter solstice morning.
The event will be held rain, snow, or shine and is free to attend thanks to the support of Seven Hills Developments. Those wishing to attend can show up the morning of the event but are encouraged to pre-register. Organizers ask guests to arrive by 7:30 a.m., as sunrise is expected at 7:45 a.m.
“The holidays can be a difficult time for those struggling with bereavement. After feedback about how impactful the last three ceremonies have been, we are glad to be able to offer once again some comfort for people impacted by suicide and overdose in our community.” said Vince Bierworth, GPHSF executive director. “All are welcome to join us at Rogers Cove on the morning of December 21st and we would encourage people to come for 7:30 am, have a coffee and join us in a moment of silence as the sun rises over the lake.”
Donations can be made to the event and proceeds can be used to support the Suicide Bereavement work at Hospice Peterborough.
“Our community has been significantly impacted by suicide and overdose and we hope that this gathering will help create a space where those directly touched can come together for a quiet moment.” said Julie Brown.
“We are very grateful to GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation and Seven Hills Developments for enabling this event to take place again and offering the opportunity for people impacted by suicide and overdose deaths to come together in this meaningful, safe way.” Said Hajni Hős, Executive Director of Hospice Peterborough.
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Downtown Holiday Night Market Hits Peterborough Dec. 6
/Get into the holiday spirit, as the third annual Downtown Holiday Night Market will hit Peterborough on Dec. 6.
Photo courtesy of The Neighbourhood Vintage.
The market will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Bankers Commons Courtyard of the Commerce Building at Water and Hunter Streets downtown. The courtyard will turn into a marketplace filled with twinkling lights, over 25 vendorslive music.
Hosted by The Neighbourhood Vintage and First Friday Ptbo, the free, family-friendly event has local vendors, makers, musicians and food and drink purveyors.
“We are so excited to bring this collaborative market back to the community this December,” said Jacquelyn Craft market organizer and Neighbourhood Vintage. “Peterborough is lucky to have so many talented local creatives, and this market is an opportunity to get together with friends and family, get into the holiday spirit and support local all in one.”
“The winter months can be a quiet time of year for the First Friday Ptbo art crawls, with the colder weather and other holiday obligations pulling folks away from art-centred evenings. It's been so excellent to see these markets come to life over the years and bring our community together to celebrate local art and music,” said Emma Scott, local graphic designer and First Friday volunteer committee member. “We are so lucky to live in a city where small businesses, restaurants, and volunteers collaborate wholeheartedly with the arts community for events like this. When we help each other, we all thrive.”
Highlights of the Downtown Holiday Night Market include:
Local Makers & Vendors: Discover handmade gifts, one-of-a-kind crafts, and artisanal goods from over 25 local creators. From jewelry and clothing to home decor and artwork, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Live Music: Enjoy the sounds of talented local musicians performing throughout the evening. Featuring local performers Kayla Mahomed, VanCamp, and Brad Renaud. From holiday classics to upbeat tunes, their performances will add to the festive atmosphere and provide a soundtrack to your shopping and dining experience.
Delicious Food & Drinks: Savor seasonal flavors from local restaurants St. Veronus, Love You, Mean It, La Hacienda, and Vanilla Room. Whether you're in the mood for mulled wine or cider, gourmet street food, or sweet treats, there’s something to warm everyone up on a chilly night.
Family-Friendly & Accessible: We are committed to making the Downtown Holiday Night Market an inclusive and accessible event for the entire community. Bring the whole family out to enjoy this special holiday market.
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Lang Pioneer Village Hosting Annual Christmas Bazaar Nov. 16
/Get ahead on holiday shopping as Lang Pioneer Village is hosting its annual Christmas Bazaar taking place on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photo courtesy of HEather Doughty and Lang Pioneer Village.
