By Will McGuirk
Peterborough Folk Festival weekender goes Saturday Aug 15 and Sunday Aug 16 2026. Its always such a lovely affair, pleasant afternoon in the valley of Nicholls Oval Park. Some folk we would encourage you to see are as listed here but you know go for the vibe, go for the friendships, go for whatever turns you crank but maybe go for these too.
We are beginning with BURS, our Whitby adjacent indie folk rock soft core subtly nostalgic sun flower field haze like light through gauze or for just starring at the skyiest blue of blue skies. Saturday 6:15 p.m.
Been a fan of Slow Leaves aka Grant Davidson for some years, looking forward to seeing this kat who carries the mantle of Lightfoot and Tyson in his songwriting. Saturday 7 p.m.
Dean Johnson, photo by CoCo Foto
New to me and a recommendation from a respected friend is Dean Johnson, singer songwriter also known as the best singer songwriter in Seattle! There is something vast and knowing in his voice, couch surfing from Father John Misty to Roy Orbison. Yes.
Aysanabee has been through Oshawa a couple of times on his journey to stardown, have seen him a few times and never disappointed, such a decent chap and his own journey from roots to charts is something worthy of its own song. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation. I feel he could carry the world he just has that quiet strength to him. Do not miss. Saturday 5 p.m.
The Young Novelists I feel have been around for years just keeping on keeping strong building breaking through stepping back building - their recent album “These Dark Canyons” was nominated for a Juno in the Contemporary Roots Album of the Year category and yet Graydon James and Laura Spink have been together for almost two decades working under the radar making breaking through back to making but joyous in the work. It shows. Sunday 4:30 p.m.
Finally to a headliner and the final headliner at that and a fine one too Bahamas is one of the greats - multitasking it all and doing it now on his own time after a move to Halifax. This kat is endlessly creative and challenging and has a hatful of hooks in every nook it seems. Sunday 5:45