Peterborough Folk Festival

Mark your calendar!

Our 24th annual Peterborough Folk  Festival runs from Friday August 23 – Sunday, August 25, 2013.

There will be live music, workshops, craft vendors, food vendors, an awesome children’s village, and beautiful weather in the heart of beautiful Peterborough, Ontario along the banks of the Mighty Otonabee River.

We’re one of Canada’s sweetest small festivals, and we’d love to have you join us!

Performer Submissions now open!

Have you longed to see your name on our posters, and to get up on our stage and perform to one of the best audiences an artist could hope for? Then apply now to be considered for the 24th Peterborough Folk Festival.  You can read our Submission Guidelines by clicking the link, or go straight to our Sonicbids account by clicking on the handy logo.

Evening Hymns live in concert!

November 29, 2012 – 10pm

A fabulous evening of great music from Evening Hymns, Nick Ferrio and His Feelings, and 2012 Emerging Artist Award winner Jos. Fortin! Join us at the Gordon Best Theatre (Canada’s Best Venue) for an unforgettable night with three of Peterborough’s favourite acts.

Tickets are $10 advance, $15 at the door, and are available online or in person at The Only Cafe and Sympathy for the Rebel.

PFF 2012 – August 24 – 26!

The Peterborough Folk Festival is a three-day celebration of community, music, and local culture right in the heart of beautiful Peterborough, Ontario!

Three distinct days provide lots of programming and fun for people of all ages:

Friday, August 24 – Kickoff Party featuring Whitehorse and Jos. Fortin at the Market Hall, 8pm $25

Saturday, August 25 – Free day-long Festival with live music, craft and food vendors, workshops, and a fantastic Children’s Village in Nicholls Oval, 11am-11pm

Sunday, August 26 – Free DIY Festival featuring lots of great workshops in Millennium Park, noon-5pm

Click the links or see below for more information and schedules for each day!

Friday August 24, 8pm  Kick-Off Concert at The Market Hall

Whitehorse
with special guest Jos. Fortin – the 2012 Emerging Artist Award Winner!

Tickets now on sale here!
The Peterborough Folk Festival is proud to present  Whitehorse (Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland) with opening set by our Emerging Artist 2012, Jos. Fortin.

Individually, Luke and Melissa have been recognized with awards and nominations from the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the independent Music Awards and the Polaris Prize. Together, Luke and Melissa create music that cascades forth, rushing like currents fluid and electric. More than the sum of considerable talents, Whitehorse showcases the rarity of true give and take in partnership, uniting falcon, with songbird to dramatic effort. The Peterborough Folk Festival is excited to present such a terrific act to start off the 2012 festival!

Saturday August 25, 11am – 11pm FREE Day-long Festival

In beautiful Nicholls Oval, there’s nothing like the sweet sounds of great music drifting over you as you check out an up-and-coming band,  try a hand-drumming workshop, browse the Artisan crafts, munch on delicious food from our vendors, or dance the night away under the stars.  A terrific Children’s Village (close to the washrooms!) keeps the kids happy with story telling and crafts, and a sense of community fills you as you see your neighbours and friends stroll the festival.

Sunday August 26, noon – 5pm FREE Workshops and Community Gathering

New this year: It’s our Do-It-Yourself Festival Day in beautiful Millennium Park by the Silver Bean Cafe. Sunday’s all about putting the folk in folk festival (that’s you!), with free hands-on instrument, music and movement workshops for adults and children, the Musical Petting Zoo, community performances, and not least: mass picnicking

Materials for all workshops supplied free-of-charge, but space may be limited.

The PFF is a small festival with a great heart; a sweetness pervades the weekend that has to do with the kindness of our volunteers, the skill of our artists, and the landscape itself, not to mention the community that surrounds us.  A true City festival on the banks of the mighty Otonabee River, we’re a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the downtown, but still close enough to bike, walk, skate, or canoe to all of our events.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Want to join a terrific team of enthusiastic, dedicated people? Email pffvolunteers@gmail.com for details, or check our Volunteering Page for a list of current needs.

The PFF is an entirely volunteer-run organization, and we couldn’t do a thing without the 100+ volunteers who help us out every year. Over at Festival Command we’re coming up with bigger and better projects, and lots of terrific ways to get involved. We’re looking for kind, ethical people who can set aside a little time from their summer to make some magic.

Most of the jobs are a light time commitment, and we can train you even if you have no experience. You’d be joining a great team and making a real difference at the festival and in the community.

Greening the Festival

Last year’s Green Team initiatives were a terrific success, and we’re hoping to do more this year – but we can’t without your help! We’re looking for volunteers for our Green initiatives; people with a passion for the festival, and for making us an environmentally-friendly as possible. Click on through to the Green Festival page to find out more about what we’re doing, and what you can do to help.

Remember to lug a mug, plates, cutlery and a water bottle! Dish washing is available on site, or you can pay a deposit to use our plates.

The Generation Solar Stage is 100% solar energy, provided by our generous sponsors Generation Solar.

We’ve also opted for Jerico t-shirts , printed by our good friends at Renegade Apparel –  manufactured in Toronto and screen-printed right here in town. Beautiful, sustainable, and anti-bacterial – all the things we strive for at the festival!

Who We Are

Welcome to the Peterborough Folk Festival! We’re a three-day festival in the heart of the beautiful city of Peterborough, Ontario. With lots of music, workshops, food and craft vendors, we’re certain that you’ll love our festival as much as we do!

Some Quick Festival Facts:

- The PFF is a 3-day music, food, craft and community festival which began in 1989
- The festival annually draws approximately 8,000-9,000 people over three days, and features terrific emerging talent from across the country and the street

- Friday’s Festival Kick-Off Party at the Market Hall often sells out in advance – past acts include Royal Wood, The Good Lovelies, and Whitehorse
- Saturday’s Festival in Nicholls Oval features free live music from 11am-11pm, Arts and Craft vendors, Food vendors, a renowned Children’s Area, free demonstrations and workshops (including Yoga, dance, and music), and a Community Village

-Sunday’s Festival at Millennium Park features hands-on music, movement and art workshops and community participation

- PFF is a non-profit incorporated organization funded by The City of Peterborough, the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund, the Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation, The Publican Brewery, Generation Solar, and many other local sponsors
- Musicians are booked in a very competitive process with over 1000 submissions, and are chosen by the Artistic Director to represent the best in emerging live artists

The Peterborough Folk Festival – one last sweet summer weekend of live music and food and crafts, all in the heart of Beautiful Peterborough, ON.