How Peterborough Musicfest makes music free for everyone

Music is good, all the time. As Beau Dixon repeats his signature chant from the stage at Del Crary Park, the response from the crowd of thousands echoes off the windows of his own home. Dixon was born in Detroit and raised in Canada, and he’s lived in Peterborough for 25 years, or roughly half his life. When he received the call to return to the Peterborough Musicfest stage after a 14-year hiatus, it felt like a homecoming.

“I live very close to Del Crary Park,” Dixon says of the Peterborough Musicfest venue. “It’s always exciting when there’s a band playing here because the city becomes energized. Spirits are lifted. You can just feel the energy in a 10-block radius. The city is alive.”

With a history spanning nearly 40 years, Peterborough Musicfest is Canada’s longest-running free concert series. Performances take place in Del Crary Park, on the shores of Little Lake in downtown Peterborough, on Wednesday and Saturday evenings throughout July and August. There are no tickets, and there’s no cost. You just show up.

Yet despite its small-town feel, Peterborough Musicfest has attracted some big-time Canadian acts over the years. The festival has headlined the likes of Our Lady Peace, Walk Off the Earth, Randy Bachman, Blue Rodeo, Gordon Lightfoot, Crash Test Dummies, Big Wreck, Metric, and more. In 2025, Serena Ryder and Kim Mitchell will headline the festival’s opening and closing concerts respectively.

At the core of the festival’s ongoing success is a very simple philosophy: music should be accessible to everyone.

“We believe that our community deserves access to quality entertainment without the barrier of cost,” says Tracey Randall, executive director of Peterborough Musicfest.

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How did Peterborough Musicfest begin?

Peterborough Musicfest began its life as the Peterborough Festival of Lights. The first concert was held on July 1, 1987, headlined by Canadian jazz great Moe Koffman in conjunction with a fireworks display. The festival’s organizer, Fred Anderson, was a professor at Peterborough’s Fleming College and maintained the ethos of free music for all right up until he stepped down as festival chair in 2003.

With Tracey Randall stepping into the roles of general manager and now executive director of Peterborough Musicfest, the festival comes full circle. Randall was a Fleming College student who drove Boat #2 for that first performance in 1987 at Anderson’s request. Today, she has a unique perspective on how Peterborough Musicfest has evolved, from its eclectic early days of Russian dancers and trampolines to its modern who’s-who of Canadian acts.

“To see how far we’ve come 40 years later would make him very proud,” Randall says of Anderson, who passed away in February 2006. “We’ve grown from his hard-working solo efforts to building a strong, experienced team with enhanced funding. The boats and fireworks may be gone, but his vision continues. We even have a memorial plaque on the park’s Walk of Fame and naming rights as the Fred Anderson Stage in his honour. I’d love to share with him what we’ve accomplished and how we’ve kept his legacy alive.”

Peterborough Musicfest makes a difference in the city’s music scene

Bringing big names to Del Crary Park each summer is just one part of what Peterborough Musicfest sets out to achieve for the community. On the other side of the coin, the festival also aims to give local musicians a venue to be discovered.

“Our Saturday night shows … provide a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming artists to perform in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd, helping them gain exposure,” Randall says.

One such example is Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder. She grew up in the village of Millbrook, just 15 minutes south of the Peterborough Musicfest stage where she made her debut as a teenager while launching a successful career. She’ll return to the festival again in 2025 to headline the opening concert on Saturday, June 28.

“We had her back several times, and a highlight was in 2016 when she performed to a crowd of 15,000 people on our opening night,” Randall recalls. “We’re very proud of her accomplishments and expect this will reflect on younger up-and-coming artists in the community.”

Jimmy Bowskill of Baileboro, Ontario, counts Peterborough Musicfest among his early career performances, where he played at age 14. He later returned to the festival as a member of The Sheepdogs, and today he plays with Blue Rodeo in addition to solo work and performances with his wife, Brittany Brooks.

“It’s inspiring to see artists grow and succeed,” Randall says. “I hope that others are motivated to pick up an instrument and pursue their musical dreams.”

How does Peterborough Musicfest stay free?

Peterborough Musicfest has remained free throughout its nearly four decades with the support of a community of sponsors. More than 100 sponsors come together each summer to make the festival possible, from large organizations like TD Bank and Peterborough-based Miskin Law to media outlets and smaller companies across a wide range of industries.

“Approximately 30% of our sponsors have been with us from the beginning,” Randall says. “While some have come and gone, they all share a belief in their community and in what we do to bring happiness and joy to Del Crary Park each summer.”

Sponsors return to support the festival because its impact on the community is evident. According to a survey conducted with concertgoers, 99% of Peterborough Musicfest attendees feel it’s “crucial” for the festival to continue. And nearly two-thirds of attendees are locals who are likely to notice and remember sponsor support.

More recently, Peterborough Musicfest has launched some new initiatives. In 2024, Toronto’s Choir!Choir!Choir! orchestrated a pop-up singalong, and the festival provided entertainment during Parks Canada’s Lock & Paddle event at the Peterborough Lift Lock.

“These initiatives aim to inspire and involve our community even more,” Randall says.

Learn more about Lock & Paddle, Peterborough’s annual paddling party >

Our best tips for attending Peterborough Musicfest

Whether your favourite act is playing or you’re just looking for something fun to do on a summer evening, Peterborough Musicfest is absolutely worth checking out. Here are a few tips to help you arrive prepared so you can focus on having a great time.

Dress for the weather and bring layers

While show cancellations can happen from time to time, Peterborough Musicfest does its best to proceed with concerts as scheduled. Arrive with whatever will make you feel most comfortable in the expected conditions, whether that’s a hat and sunglasses or a rain jacket and umbrella. The temperature can drop noticeably during each show as the sun sets, so consider wearing layers you can add or remove as needed.

Bring a lawn chair

Del Crary Park is just that, a park, so there’s no built-in seating. While you could bring something as simple as a blanket to sit on, many attendees bring folding chairs. You’ll want to do the same to ensure you have the best view. If you forget to bring a chair, you can rent one at the park for a small fee.

Arrive early

Speaking of views, seating for each Peterborough Musicfest show is first come, first served. While you don’t need a ticket, you do need to arrive as early as you possibly can to secure a prime viewing spot, especially for popular artists.

Leave substances and pets at home

Drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, cannabis, and pets are not permitted in Del Crary Park. You can get a meal and a drink at the Light House Lounge and Grill in the park, and you are permitted to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages with you to Peterborough Musicfest.

Walk or bike to Peterborough Musicfest

While parking is available at Del Crary Park and on nearby side streets on show nights, it fills up quickly. Planning to walk or ride a bike to the festival can save a lot of headaches. Peterborough Musicfest has a map of the city’s dedicated bike lanes at the bottom of the FAQs section on its website. Bike racks at the park receive free full-time monitoring and valet service during performances.

Stay nearby and make it a road trip

Peterborough has several hotels that are great for visitors attending Peterborough Musicfest. Here’s a look at our two favourites.

Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront

The Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront has rooms with views of the Otonabee River and Little Lake, and the George Street property is located within steps of Del Crary Park.

Best Western Otonabee Inn

The Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn is located on Lansdowne Street a short drive or half-hour walk from Del Crary Park. This clean and comfortable property is another excellent option for Peterborough Musicfest attendees.

While you’re in Peterborough, extend your stay by visiting the beautifully revitalized Canadian Canoe Museum, spend some time on the Trent-Severn Waterway, explore the Peterborough Art Gallery and Peterborough Museum, and check out downtown Peterborough’s culinary scene.

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