Peterborough’s identity has always been shaped by the stories we tell about the place we live – and one of the strengths of our city is that those stories come from many different communities, histories and traditions.
That’s why it was great to see the return of Peterborough Celebrates at Ferry Meadows over the weekend. Now in its fifth year, the festival has become a real fixture in the city’s calendar, bringing together music, dance, food, performance and storytelling from across Peterborough’s communities in a way that feels open, welcoming and genuinely local.
Across the weekend, there was a huge range of talent on show – from choirs and youth theatre groups to acrobatic performances, authors, musicians and community organisations. There were performances from local groups alongside food stalls, family activities and cultural exhibitions, creating the sort of atmosphere that reflects Peterborough at its best: diverse, creative and community-minded.
Events like this matter as they give people the chance to meet others, experience different cultures, and spend time together in our shared public spaces. In a city that has grown and changed rapidly over recent decades, opportunities to bring communities together in a positive and accessible way are incredibly valuable.
It also felt particularly fitting that this year’s celebrations linked in with Dinosaur City – the wider campaign showcasing Peterborough’s remarkable prehistoric heritage. Peterborough is home to one of the most significant fossil discoveries in Europe, and it’s encouraging to see local organisations working together to bring that history to life for residents and visitors alike.
From the Titanosaur exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral to the fully accessible pop-up museum experience at Ferry Meadows, Dinosaur City is a good example of how culture, education and tourism can work hand-in-hand. It gives local families something genuinely unique on their doorstep, while also helping to showcase Peterborough more widely as a place with its own distinctive story to tell.
Projects like this are also important economically. Festivals, exhibitions and cultural events bring visitors into the city, support local businesses and hospitality venues, and help strengthen Peterborough’s wider visitor economy. They encourage people to spend time in our region, all while supporting jobs connected to culture, tourism and events.
Just as importantly, they help build civic pride. Too often, conversations about places like Peterborough focus only on challenges. Of course, there are issues that need addressing, and residents rightly expect improvements in areas like transport, healthcare and local services. But it’s also important to recognise and celebrate what our area does well.
Peterborough has a strong network of community groups, volunteers, artists, performers and organisations who work incredibly hard to create opportunities for others. Whether it’s through festivals, heritage projects, arts programmes or local events, they help strengthen the social fabric of the city and create spaces where people feel connected to the community around them.
A huge amount of work goes into organising events like Peterborough Celebrates, and credit should go to everyone involved in making the weekend happen. It was great to see so many people enjoying it – and it was another reminder of the energy, creativity and community spirit that exists across Peterborough.