The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is proud to present the return of the Mac & Cheese Festival, running from April 1 to April 25, 2026.
This month-long celebration invites residents and visitors to explore a lineup of limited-time mac & cheese features from 20 restaurants, all leading up to the Grand Finale Event on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Quaker Foods City Square.
From comforting classics to over-the-top creations and courageous twists, this year’s festival highlights the range and imagination of Peterborough’s culinary scene.
This year, the chefs of downtown Peterborough are turning comfort food on its head. Some of the participating restaurants are taking the classic cheesy dish in bold and unexpected directions, pushing the limits of flavour, texture, and creativity. Lola’s Cakes and Coffee is offering a Mac and Cheese Tiramisu for the month of April, the first time in the festival’s history for there to be a dessert offering on the table.
“People are going to ask if there is really macaroni in the tiramisu and the answer is yes. It sounds crazy, but one bite and you’ll be hooked” says Nino Ante, owner of Lola’s Cakes and Coffee, a new cafe located at 136 Hunter Street West. “It’s the dessert adventure you didn’t know you needed. We decided to push the boundaries and make people smile with every bite”. Throughout April, locals and visitors are encouraged to try as many dishes as possible and vote online for their favourite to determine the People’s Choice Award winner.
Restaurants offering in-store features this year include: Agave by Imperial, Ashburnham Ale House, The Back 40 Smokehouse, By the Bridge, Cork and Bean, Dreams of Beans, La Mesita, Lola’s Cakes and Coffee, Love You, Mean It, McThirsty’s Pint, Pappas Billiards, The Revy, Bar Vita, Riverside Grill, Sams Place Deli, St. Veronus, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, The Railyard Cafe, The Vine (last year’s People’s Choice award winner) and Turnbull Cafe (the Judge’s Choice winner for 2025).
“Our downtown is home to so many passionate entrepreneurs and talented chefs, and this event is a great way to experience that firsthand. Mac and Cheese fest is a great example of what downtown Peterborough is all about” says Nour Mazloum, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA. “Showcasing this talent is a large part of how we’re building a vibrant, welcoming downtown people want to return to all year long.”
The festival will culminate in a lively outdoor Grand Finale Event at Quaker Foods City Square, where attendees can sample dishes from select vendors and watch as a panel of local celebrity judges crowns the 2026 Mac & Cheese Champion.
The contenders for the grand finale event include: Agave by Imperial, The Back 40 Smokehouse, By the Bridge, La Mesita, Lola’s Cakes and Coffee, The Revy, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, The Vine, and Turnbull Cafe. Other vendors will be on site with treats and beverages.
The Mac and Cheese Festival Grand Finale event is also fully licensed this year for attendees 19+.
In addition to plenty of mac & cheese, there will be live music, family-friendly activities, brews & seltzers and cozy lounge spaces creating a vibrant, can’t-miss spring atmosphere in the heart of downtown.
This event was made possible by the support from the City of Peterborough’s tourism department as part of their approach to helping enhance a variety of events and community connections in the City’s central area.
How to Get Involved
Try as many mac & cheese features as possible throughout April and vote online for your favourite dish to help determine the People’s Choice Award winner. Voting will go live on April 1, 2026.
Join the fun at the Grand Finale Event on April 25 to taste, celebrate, and find out who will be crowned Peterborough’s 2026 Mac & Cheese Champion! This is a must-attend event for food lovers, families, and festival-goers alike.
For more information, to view participating restaurants, and to vote in the People’s Choice Award, visit theboro.ca and follow @theboroptbo on social media.
About Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area:
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is dedicated to the development and promotion of our vibrant and diverse downtown district. The DBIA supports and advocates for businesses within the BIA district, enhancing the economic vitality and cultural vibrancy of downtown Peterborough. The mission of the DBIA is to ignite economic growth and cultural vibrancy in Peterborough’s downtown core, by creating spaces and experiences where people feel connected, inspired, and at home. They champion local stories,
celebrate diverse communities, and aim to foster a downtown where life and business thrive together.
Media Contact
Amanda Bedford Peterborough DBIA Marketing & Communications Manager
amanda@ptbodbia.ca
705-748-4774 ext. 203
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