Hibernate Festival is returning to downtown Port Hope this Family Day weekend, and for the first time in its four-year history, the entire event will be free to attend.
Running February 14 through 16, the 2026 Hibernate Festival will once again transform downtown Port Hope into a walkable network of creative spaces featuring live music, arts, crafts, film, food, and family-friendly activities designed to bring people together during the winter months.
The move to a free festival model was made possible through a matching fundraising campaign that raised $12,500 in community donations, matched dollar for dollar by the Steve and Sally Stavro Family Foundation. Additional funding support came from Canadian Heritage’s Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program and the Ontario Creates Ontario Live Music Investment Fund.
Jeff Bray, executive director of Cultivate Community, says removing ticket costs helps ensure families can participate without barriers during a time of year when connection matters most.
Programming will take place across cafés, breweries, libraries, shops, halls, and outdoor spaces throughout downtown Port Hope, offering relaxed, accessible events for all ages. Festival goers can expect live performances by Canadian artists, hands-on workshops, heritage walks, film screenings, and participatory arts activities designed for drop-in attendance.
Musical highlights include performances by Evan Redsky, Alyson McNamara, Irish Millie, and Mike T. Kerr, along with a Bluegrass Valentine’s date night at Ganaraska Brewing Company. Family activities include an all-ages printmaking studio, the Hibernate Hunt, and a full slate of Family Day programming.
Family Day Monday will close out the festival with an afternoon of music, dance, art-making, sledding, and outdoor activities, serving as a community-wide finale.
Hibernate Festival is presented by Cultivate Community, a registered charity focused on creating accessible arts experiences that foster belonging and connection.
Full festival details and schedules are available at cultivatefestival.ca/hibernate-festival-2026.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
