Final artist announcements, opening concert tickets, thanking our stage sponsors, and so much more: Here’s your Peterborough Folk Festival NewsletterPeterborough Folk Festival Announces
Final Wave of 2026 ArtistsThis year’s artists include even MORE Juno Award winners and nominees, Polaris-recognized songwriters, internationally touring performers, and emerging voices who are shaping Canada’s contemporary music landscape. Several performers also have deep ties to Peterborough, including David and Sue Newberry of //NEWBERRY// and Songs of Scratch Garden, Joanna Bronson, and Kelli Marshall—artists whose careers have grown from the local scene to national and international stages. |
 | Aysanabee: Aysanabee is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter currently based in Toronto. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario. Aysanabee made history as the first ever Indigenous Artist to win the JUNO Awards for Alternative Album of the Year and the coveted Songwriter of the year, for their first EP, Here and Now. |
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Terra Lightfoot: Hailing from Haliburton, Ontario, seasoned rocker Terra Lightfoot has a well-earned reputation as a tireless live performer, with a tour history mapped across the globe and awards testifying to every mile logged along the way. Lightfoot's marathon tours have reached 8 countries across 4 continents (including support slots for Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo, The Posies, Matt Andersen, The Sheepdogs, and Willie Nelson). |
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 | Ken Yates (Market Hall Kick-Off Show: Originally from London, Ontario, Ken Yates is an award-winning artist, receiving the Canadian Folk Music Awards for English Songwriter of the Year and New/Emerging Artist of the Year in 2017. He is known for his introspective storytelling and signature blend of folk, indie, and rock influences. At Market Hall, Yates will perform songs from his latest album, Total Cinema. Tickets are available now - see below! |
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Hunt The Hare: A modern Celtic group on a musical adventure, HTH would like to invite you along for the ride. Like the story told in The Rocky Road to Dublin, the song from which the band takes its name, it promises to be a moving and melodic journey. With a variety of instruments including fiddle, bagpipes, guitar, and percussion, they play traditional Irish tunes, and a few modern hits, creating a contagious mix of music. |
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 | //NEWBERRY//: A Peterborough based grief-rock quartet, David and Sue Newberry stopped worrying if there were enough happy or fast songs on their setlist, and leaned into ambient-adjacent, drone-inspired sad, sad music. The band is composed of local legends David and Sue Newberry, David Tough, Aaron Cavon, and Marcus Browne. |
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Joanna Bronson: Based out of Peterborough, Ontario, Joanna Bronson is a country singer-songwriter whose music captures the quiet beauty and raw honesty of life in small towns. With a voice that feels both timeless and deeply personal, she weaves heartfelt stories of home, love, and heartbreak. Her debut album, “Highway 28,” is a record rooted in memory, reflection, and the roads that shape us. |
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 | Glen Caradus: Glen grew up in Kingston, Ontario and spent endless hours playing in and beside Lake Ontario. He graduated from Trent University in Indigenous Studies in 1992. He then worked in the Deaf community for 10 years while volunteering at the GreenUp Ecology Park. In 1998 Glen founded the Paddling Puppeteers and after 25 years is just getting started! |
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Songs of Scratch Garden: From classrooms worldwide to living rooms and backseat sing-alongs, it is rare to meet a kid who hasn’t danced to one of Scratch Garden’s songs (or a parent who hasn’t happily sang along!). The Songs of Scratch Garden live show is bringing this beloved music to the stage, where every beat brings a giggle, every lyric sparks curiosity, and every kid feels invited to join the fun! |
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 | Kelli Marshall: Kelli Marshall is Ojibway from the Mississauga territory of Hiawatha First Nation. She represents the Pike Clan. She’s a dancer, activist , storyteller, Mother, sister, daughter, and Aunty. Kelli has been pow wow dancing for ten years, but dancing since she could walk. She does multiple styles including Women’s Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl and Smoke dance. |
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Ash Street: Peterborough based, Ash is a Michi Saagig artist and fashion designer of critical acclaim and international recognition. Her installation, “Red Dress: A Community Art Installation” earned her a spot in the Atelier Artist in Residence program, an international residency at Chateau de Cerisay in France early 2026. Her work speaks to social injustices, with the red dress being a commemoration of Red Dress Day, honouring the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people (MMIWG2S+).
Peterborough Folk Festival Announces
Second Wave of 2026 ArtistsThis year’s artists include even MORE Juno Award winners and nominees, Polaris-recognized songwriters, internationally touring performers, and emerging voices who are shaping Canada’s contemporary music landscape. Several performers also have deep ties to Peterborough, including Melissa Payne, Cale Crowe, the return of the Kents, and Ollie Mae—artists whose careers have grown from the local scene to national and international stages. |
 | Shad: A Canadian recording artist of Rwandan descent, raised in London Ontario. He is known for blending humour and weighty themes, inspiring positivity while exploring a range of sounds over the course of his 20-year career. Shad won the Juno Award for Rap Recording Of The Year in 2011 and five of his albums have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize for Canadian Album Of The Year. |
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Georgia Harmer: Known for her ethereal voice and sincere lyricism, Georgia Harmer has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in Canada's indie music scene. She has toured extensively across North America and the UK, performing at major festivals such as SXSW, The Great Escape, and Focus Wales, and supporting artists including City & Colour, Lake Street Dive, Bahamas, and Broken Social Scene. |
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 | Kazdoura: Meaning “to stroll” in Levantine Arabic— Kazdoura embodies the spirit of exploration, nostalgia, and groove. The JUNO award-winning duo bridges modern and traditional Arabic music with psychedelia, funk, and soul. Their sound radiates a vintage psych-soul atmosphere, with Leen’s ethereal, ornamented vocals soaring over lush, hypnotic arrangements. |
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Tennyson King百城: An award-winning, nomadic folk musician whose life and music stretches between Hong Kong and Canada. Performing in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Tennyson builds his sound around rhythmic guitar, kick drum, and traditional instruments like the zhongruan. He has appeared at Glastonbury Festival, and has been nominated for Performing Artist of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards. |
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 | Burs: Comprised of Lauren Dillen, Ray Goudy, Devon Savas and Aidan McConnell, Burs takes inspiration from contemporaries and creative heroes alike, Burs has intimately crafted a collection of works that doubles down on their folk-rock ethos while stepping into new experimental depths. |
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The Weber Brothers: Between their renowned musical ability, high-energy, awe-inspiring performances and lessons learned first hand from rock n’ roll pioneers, The Weber Brothers have developed a reputation as the “Baddest Band in the Land”. |
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 | Melissa Payne: Hailing from Ennismore, Ontario, Melissa Payne has made a lasting impact on the music scene, and her journey has only just begun. Originally rooted in old-time fiddle and traditional Celtic music, Melissa has now blossomed into a successful solo artist with three full-length albums under her belt. Melissa's live performances have garnered critical acclaim. |
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Cale Crowe: Born and raised on the Alderville First Nation territory, Cale Crowe was fueled by music from the time he had a heartbeat. His blend of campfire-style folk and modern pop/rock reflects & builds upon the taste he developed all those years ago. Wherever life takes him, Cale will keep telling his story – and the stories of others – behind an acoustic guitar and a microphone. |
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 | The Kents: They’re back! The Kents formed in 2011 in Lindsay, Ontario. Composed of homegrown talents Warren Frank, Freddy Kwon, Tanner Paré, Luke Shauf, and Nathan Truax, The Kents offer a unique indie pop sound that is reminiscent of Foster the People, Young the Giant, and The Arkells. The Kents have appeared on many big stages, including Peterborough Musicfest in 2017, and Canadian Music Week in 2018. |
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Lauren Dillen: While Dillen’s soothing voice and deft musicianship can be heard through her work with folk-rock quartet Burs, her solo project is all about self-work and following her instincts. Her songs are reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, and Andy Shauf, with soundscapes informed by ambient musicians like Emily A. Sprague. |
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 | The Friendly Frogs Freak Show: An amphibian progressive funk energetically charged and ready to fire you up into a vortex of infinite sounds and colours backed by an eclectic rhythm section offering dancey shivers and auspicious ambiances to make you bring out your inner frog. |
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Ollie Mae: Ollie Mae is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter who channels the classic sound of folk, CanRock, and country roots through her music. Since 16, Ollie Mae has worked as a recording and mixing engineer at Treblecock Studio, located in Peterborough. She’s been diligently working on her self-produced first album throughout the year, and is elated at the opportunity to play for Peterborough Folk Festival! |
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See the full list of artists announced so far on our website here: 2026 Musical Artists — Peterborough Folk Festival |
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Ta-da! Here is our final festival poster, with artwork by Kathyn Durst that captures the spirit of a family enjoying the hillside. See the full list of artists on our website here: 2026 Musical Artists — Peterborough Folk Festival |
The four-day PFF2026 celebration officially kicks off on Thursday, August 13 with a concert featuring acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Ken Yates and PFF Emerging Artist of the Year, Tristan Konkle. The show will be held at festival’s second home, the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre.Tickets are just $30, and there are limited $20 tickets available. Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm. This is an all-ages, licenced event.Tickets are available here starting at noon today:Buy your ticket today and join us for this wonderful concert.Listen to “Under the Cover of Light” by Ken Yates |
PFF is a Proud Recipient of the Ontario Creates Ontario Music Investment Fund Grant!Are you super stoked about the incredible Folk Fest lineup coming your way? Then join us in thanking Ontario Creates! Through the Ontario Music Investment Fund, Ontario Creates is our single largest supporter in bringing these incredibly talented artists to you. We're beyond grateful Ontario Creates is an agency of the Government of Ontario that facilitates economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. For a fun look at what they support, check out their sizzle reel here. Huge thanks to Ontario Creates for their continuing support for the performing arts, including Peterborough Folk Festival! |
| Be Part of the PFF Team by Volunteering! |
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Peterborough Folk Festival is powered by volunteers. Volunteer recruitment for 2026 is now open, with both new and returning volunteers invited to be part of this summer’s festival on August 14 through 17. Whether you enjoy working behind the scenes to set up the festival site, welcoming families to the Children’s Village, supporting sustainability initiatives, or assisting artists and production teams, there is a role for you at Folk Fest. Volunteers receive a 2026 festival T-shirt, a meal, and the opportunity to connect with others in a vibrant, community-focused environment. High school students can also receive volunteer hours toward their community involvement requirement. Learn more about available roles and sign up today at: https://www.peterboroughfolkfest.com/volunteer Leadership Opportunities (reply to this newsletter to learn more): Festival Volunteer Roles: |
Huge thanks to the sponsors of our four festival stages!As we celebrate an exciting year for Peterborough Folk Festival, including receiving the 2026 Festivals and Events Ontario Sustainability Award (with more awards to announce soon, hint hint!), we want to extend our deepest thanks to the sponsors and community partners who have stepped forward to support the 2026 festival so far. Here we would like to highlight our incredible Stage Sponsors! Miskin Law: Miskin Law has over 40 years of experience in a wide range of legal areas and now focuses on personal injury and estates. They explain your rights and take the mystery and misunderstanding out of the law! They have been a longtime partner of PFF, and we’re so thankful to them for once again sponsoring our Miskin Law Main Stage! Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha: Rotary members believe in a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Their 35,000+ clubs work together to: promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, and grow local economies. Thank you for your support as both the sponsor of the Rotary Stage, and having us as one of five local charities to receive the proceeds of the Pay it Forward Lottery. They’ll draw the winner of the Honda CRV from the stage! Generation Solar: For over 25 years, Generation Solar has been more than just a solar energy company - they’ve been pioneers in building a sustainable, community-focused future. We’re so thankful to have them as the sponsor of the Generation Solar Stage once again! TD Bank: As a top 10 North American bank, TD aims to stand out from its peers through a distinctive brand and industry-leading client experience, underpinned by a proven business model and focus on continuous growth and innovation. We are thrilled with their support to add the new TD Stage to our ever growing festival! Please support these organizations and businesses. We can’t do it without them! For more info on how you might make your important contribution to our event, please see our 2026 Sponsorship Package here, or contact vicechair@peterboroughfolkfest.com To make an individual donation, please visit our website at Donate — Peterborough Folk Festival and receive an instant tax receipt for your donation of $25 and up. |
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Peterborough Folk Festival: Music, Culture & Community
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