Commemorative Events

exterior of city hall at night with rainbow lighting

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.