The annual Port Hope Arts Festival returns on Saturday, August 8, 2026, featuring many of the traditional favourites, including the 10-Minute Play Series, an outdoor artisan market, wagon rides, hands-on activities, and a community gathering in Memorial Park.
The beloved 10-Minute Play Series will feature 15 different short plays across 8 locations throughout the day, ranging from comedies to thought-provoking dramas. Performances will take place on the hour and the half hour between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; each play will be performed 5 times at open-air locations throughout downtown. For the first time ever, ASL interpretation will be offered for a few of the performances as a step toward making the festival more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience.
Art Around Town also returns this year, showcasing the work of local artists in various shop windows Downtown. This initiative continues to bring together artists and merchants to transform downtown Port Hope into a vast outdoor gallery. The artwork will be on display from August 1 to August 16.
The Port Hope Public Library and Furby House Books have teamed up to present two special poetry events as part of the Festival this year. Author Kate Rogers will deliver a poetry workshop on August 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for current and former caregivers to explore writing as a healing practice. At 1:00 p.m., visit the bookstore for a poetry reading with Laurie D. Graham and Kate Rogers, featuring selections from their new books, Calling it Back to Me and Baba Yaga and the Girl Who Ate the Rope.
Supporting local makers and businesses is another favourite component of the Port Hope Arts Festival, both in the outdoor vendor market and throughout the downtown in our unique shops. The outdoor market kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. Over 40 visiting artists will pop up beside the Port Hope Farmers’ Market on the back lawn of Town Hall and a portion of Augusta Street to present items ranging from the rare and curious, to the practical and pretty.
In Memorial Park, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., a vast assortment of local organizations will be set up offering hands-on activities to attendees of all ages. It is a great chance to connect with Port Hope’s creative community, find out what’s happening and try your hand at something new.
Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG) and the Capitol Theatre are also enhancing the sights and sounds of Arts Festival this year. Join SONG for their SoundStage – an open mic opportunity for the public to showcase their skills as groups or solo act. Bring your instrument, your poetry or your voice, and get ready to shine! Sign up in advance to claim your spot.
Additionally, the Capitol Theatre is hosting an outdoor concert on Queen Street Under the Marquee at 8:00 p.m. with Nicholas Campbell & The Metre Cheaters! Enjoy a high-energy night of hot-rod rockabilly and smooth crooning from this local legend, all under the beautiful Port Hope night sky. Tickets are just $25 and are selling fast for this summer street party.
New this year! Kick off the festival with the hometown premiere of Inklings: Tall Tales, Short Stories on Thursday, August 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Ganaraska Brewing Company. Presented by local creative team Two Blue Shirts, this Bell Fibe TV1 anthology series is inspired by Port Hope and features a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and romance. Enjoy a screening followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew, along with door prizes and fresh popcorn.
Local arts organization, Critical Mass Art, is hosting a guided Art Crawl Downtown on Friday, August 7. Explore art installations and enjoy pop-up artist talks along the route. Register in advance and meet at the Little Station in Lent Lane.
All details, including the schedule for the 10-Minute Play Series, SoundStage sign up link, Art Around Town display locations and three new Artist Tip Videos are posted online at porthope.ca/arts-festival.
Appreciation is extended to all our event partners and sponsors for helping shape the Arts Festival experience. This annual celebration is curated and created by many!
Arts Month
Arts Month is an organic celebration of the arts, and Port Hope’s creative community. It’s an open invitation to get creative, curious and to celebrate. Residents, organizations, and businesses are empowered to help educate, inspire, and connect to a variety of artistic mediums. Participation could be private or more public, and could look like attending a workshop, promoting artfully made merchandise, or sharing your own masterpiece or work-in-progress with others. Visit our Event Calendar for more Arts Month activities at porthope.ca/calendar.
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