Doors Open Peterborough: The Ultimate Back-to-School Family Field Trip

What happens to food scraps after they land in the green bin? How does a generating station turn the power of a river into electricity? And what really happens backstage before the curtain rises at a theatre? Families can find out during Doors Open Peterborough on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event invites visitors inside historic landmarks, modern facilities and community spaces across Peterborough, with plenty of opportunities to connect history, science, technology and the arts to real-world learning. Taking place just after the start of the school year, it’s an ideal back-to-school field trip for families looking to extend learning beyond the classroom. Keep reading for the complete list of participating sites and our full interview with City of Peterborough Heritage Preservation Office staff, including the best stops for families, planning tips and places to grab a refreshment along the way.

This year's lineup offers an especially interesting learning opportunity for students. Families can go behind the scenes at facilities responsible for generating electricity, treating drinking water and wastewater, and turning green-bin waste into agricultural compost. They can also explore military history, discover sustainable building techniques, tour a former cinema turned performance venue and walk through some of Peterborough's historic neighbourhoods. At Teachers on Call, our tutoring team loves opportunities like Doors Open because they encourage students to ask questions, make connections and see how lessons from science, history, geography and the arts apply beyond the classroom.

Where Is Peterborough? Exploring the Gateway to the Kawarthas

Located in the Kawarthas, Peterborough is known for its connection to the Otonabee River, rich heritage, vibrant arts scene and surrounding natural beauty. Its location also makes it an accessible day trip for families travelling from Toronto, Durham Region and communities throughout the Kawarthas. Through the Ontario Heritage Trust's Doors Open Ontario program, visitors can explore fascinating spaces that are often closed to the public, all while discovering more about the people, places and innovations that help a community function.

Doors Open Peterborough: The Ultimate Fall Field Trip

With the majority of students in the Peterborough area starting school on September 8, Doors Open Peterborough makes the ultimate back-to-school field trip for families to enjoy on the weekend following the first week of school. For families with school-aged children, Peterborough is primarily served by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB). French-language education is also available through Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. With so many Doors Open sites highlighting science, history, sustainability and the arts, the event offers local students a fun opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom and discover more about the community around them.

Participating Sites for Doors Open Peterborough 2026

This year, visitors can explore 12 sites:

• Auburn Generating Station (908 Water St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 3P2)
• Camp Kawartha Straw Bale Sleeping Cabin and Health Centre (1010 Birchview Rd., Douro-Dummer, Ontario, K0L 2H0) – open Sunday, September 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• City of Peterborough Organics Facility (1260 Bensfort Rd., Otonabee-South Monaghan, Ontario, K9J 1C5)
• City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant and Laboratory (425 Kennedy Rd., Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 6X7)
• City of Peterborough Water Treatment Plant (1230 Water St. N., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 7G4)
• Hospice Peterborough (325 London St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 2Z5)
• Murray Street Baptist Church (175 Murray St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 2S7)
• The Old Peterborough Examiner Building featuring B&A Landscape Architects and EcoVue Consulting (416 Chambers St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 3V1)
• Peterborough & County Military Museum (220 Murray St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 2S7)
• Sadleir House (751 George St. N., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 3T2)
• Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 3H2)
• St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (99 Brock St., Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 2K6)

And two guided historic walks:

• Little Lake Cemetery Walking Tour (915 Haggart St., Peterborough, Ontario) – tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Inverlea Bridge to Goose Pond Walking Tour (meet at the entrance of the Rotary Greenway Trail off Parkhill Road East, across from Auburn Street) – tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Read Our Full Interview with the Doors Open Peterborough Team

Doors Open Peterborough always delivers a fascinating mix of history, innovation, and community. What highlights can visitors look forward to this year?

Doors Open has five new exciting sites this year, including Hospice Peterborough (325 London St.); City of Peterborough Organics Facility (1260 Bensfort Rd); and City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant (425 Kennedy Rd.), and the Old Peterborough Examiner Building (416 Chambers St.). The doors of Camp Kawartha’s straw bale sleeping cabin will also be open to the public on Sunday, September 13, 2026 as part of this year’s event.

Visitors can look forward to exploring sites that represent Peterborough’s past and present. The Old Peterborough Examiner Building and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (99 Brock St.) provide a window into Peterborough’s past, while sites such as the Water Treatment Plant and Showplace shine a spotlight on Peterborough’s present by providing visitors the rare opportunity to discover places ‘behind-the-scenes’.

What kind of turnout are you anticipating for this year’s event? Do you expect most visitors to be local, or are you seeing interest from other parts of Ontario like the Kawarthas, Durham, or the GTA?

Doors Open is a popular event every year as many people are enthusiastic about getting a behind-the-scenes experience of their city. 50% of survey participants in 2025 said it was their first time attending the Doors Open event. While we expect most participants to be Peterborough residents, the event can pull in visitors from the Kawarthas, Peterborough County, as well as the surrounding area. Curious travellers and first-time visitors are welcome and encouraged to learn and explore!

If a visitor only has time to explore a few places, what would be your “can’t-miss” sites this year, and what makes them special?

The Old Peterborough Examiner Building will be featuring an exhibit of Examiner photos from different periods in Peterborough’s history; it is worth a stop for anyone interested in seeing snapshots of the past. Another must see and staple of Peterborough’s Doors Open event, Sadlier House (752 George St. N.), will be host to artist Sandra Young’s showcase collection of vintage clothing which will absolutely be a highlight of this year’s event.

We are also pleased to welcome back our local historians who will be leading two walking tours in some of the most picturesque areas of Peterborough. Gord Young and his volunteers will be leading the historic Goose Pond Walk beginning in the scenic area of Auburn Street and crossing Inverlea Bridge. Don Willcock will be guiding tours through Little Lake Cemetery, highlighting specific gravestones of notorious or important figures buried in Canada’s first non-profit, community cemetery.

Are there any new or rarely-opened sites making their debut this year that you're especially excited about?

We have five brand new sites participating in Doors Open this year. Each of these sites provide a unique glimpse into aspects of Peterborough and the wider Kawarthas. The new sites this year are Hospice Peterborough, the City of Peterborough Organics Facility, the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant, Camp Kawartha’s Straw Bale Sleeping Cabin, and the Old Peterborough Examiner Building. The wide array of new sites will provide something for everyone. The Peterborough Organics Facility showcases how Peterborough is turning food waste into agricultural compost; while the Old Examiner Building brings the history of Peterborough’s local media to light. By having new sites included in Doors Open, we can continue to show residents and visitors all the great things Peterborough has to offer.

Please Note: If you’re interested in seeing Camp Kawartha’s Straw Bale Sleeping Cabin, they are opening their site to the public only on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 1pm-4pm.

Peterborough is a city rich in arts, heritage, and science. Are there any kid-friendly or hands-on elements planned this year that make the day especially engaging for students and families?

Several places are offering tours of areas that are not usually open for public viewing. Showplace will take visitors into areas that are not seen by the public when attending a show to allow people to see how the magic of performance is created. Behind the scenes access will also be granted at the Auburn Generating Station so kids can learn how the electricity that powers their homes and cars is generated. The Peterborough Organics Facility and the Wastewater Treatment Plant are great educational stops for anyone wanting to learn where their waste goes! Make sure to wear comfortable, closed-toed footwear if you want to take part in these rare tours!

With locations spread across the city, what’s your advice for visitors mapping out their day? Are there any clusters of sites that are walkable or make for a convenient driving route?

This year we have several sites that are located within easy walking distance. Downtown is a good place to start with Showplace, the Peterborough and County Military Museum, the Old Peterborough Examiner Building and St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church all within walking distance of each other.

For those feeling more adventurous or who would like to experience sites outside of downtown, visitors can explore several places related to Peterborough’s past and present. The Peterborough Water Treatment Plant, accessed via a fun (and FREE!) walk through the Riverview Park and Zoo, is only a few minutes north of the Auburn Generating Station, Sadlier House, and the Goose Pond Walking Tour. Check out our Story Map to plan your excursion!

This year we have Straworks’s Straw Bale Sleeping Cabin at Camp Kawartha (1010 Birchview Rd., Douro-Dummer) participating on Sunday, September 13th for those who are interested in making a short drive out of the city and extending their Doors Open experience.

For families looking to recharge during the day, what are your go-to recommendations for a great coffee, lunch, or sweet treat nearby? Any hidden gems you'd love to spotlight?

There are several places for families to rest while on their Doors Open adventure. As part of the Doors Open event, St. John’s will be offering refreshments to visitors and Sadlier House will have free tea and coffee while visitors peruse local artists’ work. If you’re looking for something more substantial, check out www.ptbotourism.ca/eat-drink/ for a detailed list of great restaurants, cafes and shop in Peterborough.

Doors Open is a powerful platform for storytelling and community connection. What do you hope residents and visiting families take away from the experience this year?

We hope visitors come away with a new appreciation for our city’s history and its current innovations. The inclusion of new sites such as the Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Peterborough Organics Facility is an excellent representation of the Doors Open motto “discover a story behind every door”. We hope residents and visitors alike gain an appreciation not only for our rich local history and landmarks, but for the technology and efforts of local people in providing for our community.

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From stepping inside a century-old generating station to discovering where food scraps and wastewater go after they leave our homes, Doors Open Peterborough offers families a chance to see their community from an entirely new perspective. The mix of historic landmarks, modern infrastructure, sustainable design, arts and guided walking tours makes the weekend especially valuable for curious young learners, turning everyday questions about how a city works into memorable, real-world lessons. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 12, 2026, and don't forget that families can extend the adventure with a special visit to Camp Kawartha on Sunday, September 13.