Every summer, Peterborough orchestrates something most cities wouldn’t even dare to dream: sixteen nights of free, world-class music under the stars in their local park. No wristbands, no corporate cash-grabs. Just a community coming together to celebrate the universal language of music. That’s the heartbeat of Peterborough Musicfest—a tradition that has been resonating through Del Crary Park for nearly four decades.
The festival kicked off with a hometown homecoming: Serena Ryder lighting up opening night with a performance that felt both intimate and monumental. Families sprawled on blankets, kids darting through the crowd with glowsticks, and fans pressed to the front singing every word back — the park roared in unison. Ryder set the bar for a season where the music hit hard, the crowds were alive, and anything felt possible.
Highlights? There were many. The Weber Brothers & The Spades brought their own brand of raw indie grit, reminding everyone that Musicfest is also about showcasing the local scene that keeps Peterborough vibrant. Sloan ripped through a taut, guitar-driven indie set that had fans screaming along, while Gob’s punk-fueled energy made the grass tremble under stomping feet. Jess Moskaluke’s country-pop hooks had the crowd swaying in sync, and Preston Pablo with noelle lit up the younger fans with slick, infectious fire. Choir! Choir! Choir! transformed attendees into the band itself, and Neon Nostalgic’s Canada Day performance drew the largest crowd of the season, all singing along beneath fireworks.
By the final night, when Kim Mitchell closed out the season and the shoreline emptied under the summer stars, the energy lingered like static. Musicfest isn’t just a concert series—it’s a pulse, a rebellion against the quiet, a celebration of a city that refuses to sit still. Sixteen nights of sweat, singalongs, and unapologetic music proved once again: Peterborough doesn’t just host a festival—it owns it.
Behind any night’s performance, Peterborough Musicfest runs on the muscle of the city itself. Executive Director Tracey Randall and her legions of volunteers coordinate everything from crowd management to artist hospitality, and cleanup, making sure each night flows seamlessly. Every other day is spent making sure it’s all really going to happen…. again, contacting local businesses, organizations, and sponsors to provide the financial backbone, covering production costs and keeping admission free for everyone. Shout out to Bill Porter and Porter Sound for making it sound good every night. It’s a finely tuned collaboration: the city, its people, and its supporters, staff and board members, working together to create a festival that’s accessible, high-energy, and alive with community spirit. The festival is a non-profit, charitable organization and relies on a combination of funding sources to operate. These include corporate sponsorships, government support at all levels, fundraising initiatives, and private donations . Interested in being part of the history? Just contact them.
