Reflecting Diversity
We recognize and value the contributions of the diverse communities that make Peterborough a resilient and thriving place to live. In 2019, City Council voted unanimously for Peterborough to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities as an expression of our community’s values and goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
One way we contribute to enhancing awareness and learning is through observing internationally and nationally recognized days, weeks and months of significance.
Official celebrations and observances are recognized through a variety of acknowledgements, including:
Various City facilities and services, including the Museum and Archives, Peterborough Public Library and the Art Gallery of Peterborough build programming and education around official celebrations and observances.
Community groups and organizations are invited to request flag raisings, proclamations and commemorative lighting displays through the online forms linked below.
Commemorative flags
The Mayor's Office coordinates requests for commemorative flag raising at City facilities, including City Hall. Requests must be received at least one week before the event and meet the criteria for commemorative flag and lighting requests.
Request a commemorative flag raising
| Flag raising events schedule |
| Flag of Ireland for Irish Heritage Month and Irish Week, starting Monday, March 10 at 11 a.m. |
| Half-mast flags at City facilities |
| The act of Half-Masting is a strong visual statement that speaks to the community’s sense of loss or reflection. The City lowers its flag to half mast upon the death of certain dignitaries, officials or City employees as identified in City procedures; and on days of reflection or mourning that are declared or enshrined in legislation by the Province, the Government of Canada, or City Council. The Half-Masting of the National Flag and the Provincial Flag will be in accordance with the Government of Canada’s Rules for Half-Masting the National Flag of Canada and the Provincial Guidelines for Half-Masting flags, respectively.
Schedule for half-mast flags
| Date |
Reason for half-masting |
| Monday, April 28, 2025 |
National Day of Mourning for those who have died, been injured or made ill in the workplace |
| Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation |
| Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
Remembrance Day |
| Saturday, December 6, 2025 |
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women |
|
Commemorative lighting displays
Commemorative lighting displays at City Hall and the Centennial Fountain recognize important events and cultural celebrations in our community.
The City of Peterborough accepts requests for commemorative lighting at City Hall throughout the year, and seasonally for the Centennial Fountain (May to October) from organizations or individuals that meet our commemorative lighting criteria.
Requests for commemorative lighting displays must be submitted at least three weeks before the event. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Please review the criteria section below before submitting your application.
Promotion of Commemorative Lighting displays is the responsibility of the organization or individual(s) who submitted the request. The City publicly posts notice of the subject of Commemorative Lighting displays on its website. Coordination, promotion, and implementation of any related Commemorative Lighting ceremonies is the responsibility of the organization or individual(s) who submitted the Commemorative Lighting request. Requests for Commemorative Lighting displays can request that the light display be in place for up to one week.
| Criteria for commemorative flag and lighting requests |
The City will consider Commemorative Flags and Commemorative Lighting requests that satisfy the following criteria:
- Have a connection with the City of Peterborough.
- Are non-commercial, non-religious, and non-partisan in nature.*
- Align with the City’s by-laws and policies.
- Foster a sense of community or have made a significant impact within the community.
- Demonstrate respect and acceptance for Peterborough residents.
- Celebrate a non-profit or charitable organization’s events or awareness campaign.
The City of Peterborough will not approve any Commemorative Flag or Commemorative Lighting request that:
- Espouses hatred, violence, racism, or offensive messages.
- Promotes religious organizations or religious festivals or events.*
- Represents a political party, political organization, or candidates for election.
- Reflects an organization or group with activities that are contrary to the by-laws and policies of the City.
*The City will consider requests for holidays and commemorative or awareness days, weeks and months that are recognized through legislation by the Province of Ontario or the Government of Canada. |
| Application and review process: commemorative lighting request |
| Before submitting a request, please review the criteria for commemorative flag and lighting requests above. All requests will be reviewed by the City of Peterborough to ensure that they adhere to our commemorative lighting criteria and can be accommodated in the lighting schedule. Requests must be submitted at least three weeks before the event. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received. We will strive to respond to requests within five to seven business days. Apply for a Commemorative lighting request online |
| Schedule of commemorative lighting displays |
| January |
City Hall - January 2025 schedule
| Event |
Date(s) |
Colour(s) |
| New Year's Day |
January 1 |
white and yellow |
| Tamil Heritage Month |
January 2 & 3 |
red and yellow |
| Lincoln Alexander Day |
January 21 |
blue |
| International Holocaust Remembrance Day |
January 27 |
yellow |
| Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Awareness Day |
January 28 |
purple |
| National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia |
January 29 |
green |
| Lunar New Year |
January 29 |
red |
|
| February |
City Hall - February 2025 schedule
| Event |
Date(s) |
Colour(s) |
| Black History Month |
February 1-2 |
red, yellow, green |
| International Angelman Day |
February 15 |
blue |
| World Thinking Day |
February 22 |
blue |
| Coldest Night of the Year |
February 22 |
dark blue, yellow, teal |
| Rare Disease Day |
February 28 |
pink, purple, turquoise, green |
|
| March |
City Hall - March 2025 schedule
| Event |
Date(s) |
Colour(s) |
| National Engineering Month, MSA Awareness Month |
March 1 |
purple |
| Bangladeshi Heritage Month |
March 2 |
red |
| Hellenic Heritage Month |
March 3 |
blue and white |
| Persian Heritage Month |
March 4 |
white |
| International Women's Day |
March 8 |
purple |
| World Young Rheumatic Disease Day |
March 15 |
blue |
| National Poison Prevention Week |
March 16 |
yellow |
| Irish Heritage Day |
March 17 |
green |
| International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination |
March 21 |
blue |
| World Water Day |
March 22 |
blue |
| World Tuberculosis Day |
March 24 |
red |
| Trans Day of Visibility |
March 31 |
white |
|
| April |
City Hall - April 2025 schedule
| Event |
Date(s) |
Colour(s) |
| Sikh Heritage Month |
April 1 |
orange and blue |
| World Autism Day |
April 2 |
green, blue, red |
| Trent Day |
April 3 |
green |
| IBS Awareness Month |
April 4 |
periwinkle |
| World Parkinson's Day and Parkinson's Awareness Month |
April 11 |
blue |
| World Hemophilia Day |
April 17 |
red |
| Global Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day |
April 19 |
yellow, blue, pink |
|
| May |
| Schedule: to be confirmed The Centennial Fountain typically opens for the season on the May long weekend. Commemorative Lighting Requests will be received for dates after May 18 each year. |
| June |
| To be confirmed |
| July |
| To be confirmed |
| August |
| To be confirmed August 2025: The Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial will be commemorated August 2-11, 2025. |
| September |
| To be confirmed |
| October |
| To be confirmed. Note: the Centennial Fountain typically closes for the season following the Thanksgiving long weekend in October. |
| November |
| To be confirmed. |
| December |
| To be confirmed. |
|
