Music, theatre and community will once again fill the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Catharine Parr Traill College this summer for Trent University’s annual William and Nona Heaslip Foundation Summer Festival—a free 12-week performing arts series running from June through August. 

“Our Summer Festival features can’t-miss entertainment for folks of all ages and interests,” said Dr. James Onusko, acting principal of Catharine Parr Traill College. “This year’s programming demonstrates the variety and talent in Peterborough’s arts and culture scene, including multiple performances brought through our ongoing collaboration with New Stages Theatre. We look forward to welcoming friends and families to Traill’s outdoor amphitheatre in the heart of Peterborough once again.”  

A growing element of Peterborough's summer events calendar, the festival hosts free outdoor performances every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. from June 4 to August 20. This year's lineup features local performers and Trent alumni, showcasing a range of musical, theatrical, and comedic talent from across Peterborough and the broader region. New Stages Theatre, one of the region’s leading professional theatre companies, will bring four performances to the amphitheatre on June 4, June 11, August 13 and August 20. 

The full 2026 schedule and performance details are available at trentu.ca/summerfestival. Funding for the series was provided by the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, which supports the arts and education. 

In the event of inclement weather, performances will be moved indoors to Bagnani Hall. All performances are open to the public and free of charge. Refreshments will be available on-site for purchase. 

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The Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College has been a hub for community arts and culture programming since 2023. Those interested in booking the space for an event can contact the Traill College Office at traillbooking@trentu.ca.