On the third Saturday of May, since 1993, the Children and the Arts Festival fills downtown Peterborough. Children of all ages revel in shows from local talent to top entertainers. Hands-on art opportunities and face painting are busy all day, except for the one hour when all eyes turn to our Giant Puppet Parade, when they feast on the creations of students, families, classrooms, and community members as they descend into downtown.

The Children and the Arts Committee is composed of 15 committed citizen volunteers. The festival attracts an estimated 5000 people from the Monadnock region and beyond. Over one hundred people give their time and hearts to make this day work.  Our mission to offer a FREE arts festival to celebrate art for, by, and with the children of our community. We select a unique theme each year and everyone rallies their creative output around that theme. We aim to provide an art event for every student from public, private and homeschooled groups, to provide an opportunity for local children’s art organizations to showcase talents, and to provide venues for professional artists, especially local, to perform and share their craft.