Excited for holiday celebrations in Peterborough? Our guide has all the events you need! For Peterborough experts and novices alike, our guide reveals hidden gems and beloved traditions.
One cherished tradition is the Santa Claus Parade, where festive floats and joyful music bring holiday spirit to life. Families can also enjoy the dazzling displays at the Festival of Trees, featuring creatively decorated trees for a good cause. And Christmas at the Marshland Centre offers an immersive winter wonderland experience that you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Peterborough
- Santa Claus Parade
- Festival of Trees
- Peterborough Downtown Holiday Shopping Event
- Christmas with The Tenors
- Christmas Craft Show
- Kawartha Potters' Christmas Show
- Annual Community Christmas Dinner
- Christmas Lights Tour
- Christmas Bird Count
- Christmas Cheer Fund
Peterborough Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided tour of elaborately decorated homes
Description:
Peterborough's Christmas Lights Tour showcases the city's most creatively illuminated homes. Residents compete for the title of best-decorated house, often incorporating intricate light displays and animated scenes. The tour route includes historic neighborhoods, offering glimpses of Peterborough's architectural heritage. Visitors can download a map and embark on a self-guided journey through the twinkling streets. Some homeowners collect donations for local charities, turning their displays into opportunities for giving.
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Peterborough Holiday Markets and Shopping
Peterborough Downtown Holiday Shopping Event
What to Expect:
Late-night shopping with live entertainment
Description:
Peterborough's Downtown Holiday Shopping Event extends store hours, allowing for a relaxed evening of gift-hunting. Local musicians and street performers enliven the sidewalks, creating a lively atmosphere as you browse. Many shops offer special discounts and complimentary gift-wrapping services. The event highlights the city's commitment to supporting small businesses, a tradition dating back to Peterborough's early days as a mill town. Visitors can sample locally-made holiday treats as they explore the unique offerings of downtown merchants.
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Peterborough Downtown Holiday Shopping Event
Christmas Craft Show
What to Expect:
Focus on handmade, locally-crafted items
Description:
Peterborough's Christmas Craft Show celebrates the art of handmade gifts. Artisans from across the Kawartha region showcase their skills, offering unique items that can't be found in typical stores. The show emphasizes traditional crafting techniques, with some artisans using methods passed down through generations. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of intricate crafts like glass blowing and wood carving. The event reflects Peterborough's rich history of craftsmanship, dating back to its early days as a center for lumber and textile production.
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Kawartha Potters' Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Showcasing locally-made ceramic art and pottery
Description:
The Kawartha Potters' Christmas Show highlights the region's thriving ceramic arts community. Local potters display an array of functional and decorative pieces, each reflecting unique interpretations of holiday themes. The show traces its roots to Peterborough's early 20th-century pottery industry, once a major economic driver. Visitors can watch pottery throwing demonstrations and learn about different glazing techniques. You'll find one-of-a-kind gifts that embody the skill and creativity of Kawartha's artisans.
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Kawartha Potters' Christmas Show
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor market with local flair
Description:
Peterborough's Christmas Market brings a touch of European tradition to the heart of Ontario. Wooden stalls line the streets, offering locally-made crafts, artisanal foods, and unique gifts. The market draws inspiration from Peterborough's sister city relationship with Hannover, Germany, established in 1983. Visitors can warm up with a cup of traditional glühwein while browsing the stalls. Local choirs perform carols, adding to the convivial atmosphere of this outdoor shopping experience.
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Peterborough Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Creatively decorated trees auctioned for charity
Description:
The Festival of Trees in Peterborough showcases an array of uniquely adorned Christmas trees, each a work of art. Local artists, businesses, and community groups compete to create the most innovative designs, often incorporating unconventional materials and themes. Visitors can bid on their favorite trees in a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting local charities. The event traces its roots back to 1981, making it one of the longest-running tree festivals in Ontario. You'll discover trees that challenge traditional notions of holiday decor.
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Annual Community Christmas Dinner
What to Expect:
Large-scale volunteer-driven community meal
Description:
Peterborough's Annual Community Christmas Dinner brings together residents from all walks of life for a shared meal. Volunteers prepare and serve hundreds of traditional holiday dinners, embodying the spirit of community service. The event, which began in the 1980s, has become a cherished local tradition. Visitors can contribute by donating food items or volunteering their time. Local musicians provide live entertainment, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees.
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Annual Community Christmas Dinner
Christmas Cheer Fund
What to Expect:
Community-wide fundraising effort for families in need
Description:
Peterborough's Christmas Cheer Fund unites the community in supporting local families facing financial hardship. The fund, established in 1951, has grown into a major annual campaign. Local businesses, schools, and individuals organize creative fundraising events throughout the holiday season. Visitors can participate in various activities, from charity auctions to festive fun runs. The fund embodies Peterborough's long-standing tradition of neighborly support during challenging times.
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Peterborough Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas with The Tenors
What to Expect:
Blend of classical and contemporary holiday music
Description:
Christmas with The Tenors in Peterborough delivers a powerful vocal performance that bridges classical and contemporary holiday music. The internationally acclaimed group's harmonies resonate through the venue, creating an immersive auditory experience. Their repertoire includes lesser-known carols from around the world, offering a global perspective on holiday traditions. The Tenors often incorporate local choirs into their performance, showcasing Peterborough's musical talent. You'll hear familiar tunes reimagined through innovative arrangements that breathe new life into classic songs.
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Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Country-western themed holiday celebration
Description:
The Holiday Hoedown in Peterborough puts a country twist on traditional Christmas festivities. Line dancing and square dancing take center stage, with instructors on hand to teach newcomers the steps. The event pays homage to Peterborough's rural roots and strong country music scene. Visitors can try their hand at mechanical bull riding or participate in a festive costume contest. Local country bands perform holiday classics with a twang, creating a toe-tapping soundtrack for this unique celebration.
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Peterborough Other Holiday Activities
Santa Claus Parade
What to Expect:
Community-wide participation with elaborate floats
Description:
Peterborough's Santa Claus Parade transforms the city streets into a moving spectacle of holiday cheer. Local businesses and community groups craft elaborate floats, competing for the coveted "Best in Show" title. The parade route winds through historic downtown, passing by landmarks dating back to the 1800s. Children can write letters to Santa and drop them off at special mailboxes along the route. The air fills with the sound of marching bands playing classic carols as you watch the procession unfold.
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Christmas Bird Count
What to Expect:
Citizen science project focused on winter bird populations
Description:
The Christmas Bird Count in Peterborough contributes to North America's longest-running citizen science project. Participants brave the winter weather to document local bird species and populations. The data collected helps track long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Experienced birders lead teams through various habitats, from urban parks to rural wetlands. You'll have the opportunity to learn about Peterborough's winter ecology while contributing to important scientific research.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at the Marshland Centre (Lakefield)
What to Expect:
Nature-focused holiday celebration in a wetland setting
Description:
The Marshland Centre in Lakefield embraces the natural world during its Christmas celebration. Visitors can embark on guided winter ecology walks, learning about local wildlife's adaptations to the cold. The centre's historic log cabin, built by early settlers in the 1800s, hosts traditional craft demonstrations. You'll have the opportunity to create your own eco-friendly ornaments using materials found in the surrounding wetlands. The event highlights the delicate balance between human celebration and environmental conservation.
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Christmas at the Marshland Centre
Christmas at Lang Pioneer Village (Keene)
What to Expect:
Immersive 19th-century Christmas experience
Description:
Lang Pioneer Village in Keene transports visitors to a 19th-century Christmas celebration. Costumed interpreters bring the past to life, demonstrating traditional holiday preparations and customs. The village's historic buildings, some dating back to the 1820s, are adorned with period-appropriate decorations. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities like candle dipping or gingerbread making. The aroma of freshly baked treats wafts from the village's wood-fired ovens, adding to the authentic atmosphere of a pioneer Christmas.
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Christmas at Lang Pioneer Village
Christmas Open House at Petroglyphs Park (Woodview)
What to Expect:
Blending of Indigenous traditions and holiday celebrations
Description:
The Christmas Open House at Petroglyphs Park in Woodview offers a unique perspective on holiday traditions. The event honors the sacred site's Indigenous heritage while incorporating elements of Christmas celebration. Visitors can participate in guided walks to learn about the park's ancient rock carvings and their significance. Traditional storytelling sessions share winter legends from local Indigenous cultures. The open house provides an opportunity to reflect on the diverse cultural influences that shape our understanding of the holiday season.
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Christmas Open House at Petroglyphs Park