Cobourg and Port Hope sit side by side on the shore of Lake Ontario, about an hour east of Toronto. Between them you’ll find a sandy beach, two heritage main streets, art, live music, trails and a busy calendar of community events. Whether you live here, are visiting family or are home between winters away, here’s our guide to the best things to do.

Last updated: November 2026. We’ll keep adding to this guide as the seasons change.

Things to do in Cobourg

Cobourg Beach and Victoria Park

Cobourg’s long stretch of soft sand is one of the best-known beaches on Lake Ontario, with shallow water and lifeguards during peak summer hours. Right beside it, Victoria Park has shady benches, gardens and a band shell built in 1934. On summer Tuesday evenings, the Concert Band of Cobourg plays free concerts there, so bring a lawn chair. Even in the off-season, the beach and boardwalk make a lovely walk.

Victoria Hall and the Art Gallery of Northumberland

Victoria Hall, on King Street West, is Cobourg’s landmark: a grand heritage building from the 1850s with tall columns and detailed stonework. It hosts concerts and events in its restored concert hall and is home to the Art Gallery of Northumberland, a great rainy-day stop. Check what’s on before you go.

Downtown, the harbour and the marina

Downtown Cobourg is made for wandering, with independent shops, cafés, restaurants and summer patios along King Street. The marina is just a block south, so you can stroll down to the harbour, watch the boats and walk along the pier.

Cobourg Farmers Market

Running since 1839, the Cobourg Farmers Market sets up on Saturdays from May to December at Second and Albert Streets and in the Market Building. Look for local produce, meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, baking and crafts.

The library, the Legion and community fun

Some of the best things to do in Cobourg are free and close to home. The Cobourg Public Library on Ontario Street runs movie afternoons, a 55+ drop-in, chess and tech help, and the Legion hosts darts, trivia and meat draws. See Sunday darts at the Cobourg Legion.

Things to do in Port Hope

Walton Street and the heritage downtown

Port Hope is known for one of the best-preserved historic main streets in Ontario, and its downtown has been a backdrop for several movies. Walton Street is lined with antique shops, bookstores, cafés and restaurants. Visit Port Hope offers self-guided heritage walking and driving tours, plus a barn quilt tour through the countryside.

The Capitol Theatre

Port Hope’s restored Capitol Theatre is a downtown gem that hosts movies, live theatre, concerts and community events through the year. Check their schedule for what’s playing.

The Ganaraska River

The Ganaraska River runs right through town. In the fall, crowds gather along the riverbank to watch salmon jump on their way upstream, and it’s a peaceful spot for a walk any time of year.

Festivals: Candlelight Festival and the Port Hope Fair

Port Hope’s Candlelight Festival kicks off the holiday season downtown with a street party, a candlelit walk and holiday lights that stay up into the new year. In late summer, the Port Hope Fair brings the agricultural fair tradition to town. For this year’s dates, see what’s on in Northumberland this November.

Between the two towns

• The Waterfront Trail: the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail passes through both towns, with sections that are good for walking and cycling along the lake.
• Ganaraska Forest: north of Port Hope, the Ganaraska Forest has kilometres of woodland trails. Check the Ganaraska Forest Centre for trail use and passes before you go.
• Dinner out: local golf clubs and restaurants host seasonal dinners and music nights, like Dalewood Golf Club’s autumn and holiday dinners.

Things to do by season

• Spring: the farmers market opens in May, and the trails and waterfront come back to life.
• Summer: Cobourg Beach, Tuesday band concerts in Victoria Park, patios and the marina.
• Fall: the salmon run on the Ganaraska, fall colours on the trails and harvest dinners.
• Winter: Port Hope’s Candlelight Festival, Santa Claus parades, shows at Victoria Hall and the Capitol, and cozy indoor programs at the library.

More guides coming soon

This guide is the starting point for a series. Over the next few weeks we’re adding guides to getting around Cobourg and Port Hope without a car, where to eat in Cobourg, and walk-in clinics in the area. You can also browse local services in our Local Help Directory.

Sources: Town of Cobourg: Attractions; Visit Port Hope: Self-Guided Tours. Details and hours can change, so please check before you go. Photo: Lukasz Szmigiel / Unsplash.