Summer races

Summer races at Kawartha Downs

The 150 slots at Kawartha Downs run all year, but the harness track around them has its season in summer. This page covers that side of the place, the races, the rooms and the history, without any calendar.

By the Out to the Downs crewChecked October 14, 2026

Coloured-pencil drawing of a young woman leaning on the white rail of a harness track at sunset while a trotter pulls a sulky in the distance. — A character created for this guide (generated image), not a photograph.

Racing from May to September

Live harness racing at Kawartha Downs is a summer affair. The season runs from May to September, and watching the races costs nothing. The schedule is posted on the harness racing page at kawarthadowns.com, the track's own site.

You will not find race dates or post times on this page, and that is deliberate. The track sets them, so its page is the one to check before you head out. Handy if you are planning a summer drive from Peterborough or up from the 401.

Under the arc lights

Racing here began around the yearly fall fair. Night racing came in during the early 1960s. With it, Peterborough became the first so-called "B track" to race under arc lights.

Kawartha Downs marked its 50th anniversary in 2022. For five decades, families have come out for Saturday night harness racing. That is history, though, not a promise about which nights the track races now. The gaming site at the track first opened in November 1999. Great Canadian runs the 150 slots under its Shorelines name, while the track belongs to Kawartha Downs, a separate company.

From the rail or upstairs

Outdoor events have limited seating, so the track recommends a portable chair, sunscreen and a hat. Kawartha Downs events do not allow food or drink brought from outside. At the races, service animals are the only animals permitted, and because of the horses they remain inside the building. Leave the family dog at home.

Upstairs, on the second floor, the Grandstand Dining Room looks over the track. Its buffet dinner runs only in the harness racing season, and reservations are recommended. The dress code is semi casual. The room is wheelchair accessible, and a person with a disability may bring a support person.

Rooms for hire at the track

Kawartha Downs also has space for rent. Festivals, weddings, parties and company events can book the Event Centre, while The Loft is a private room that has been renovated. No event names or dates appear in this guide; the track posts what is on through its events calendar at kawarthadowns.com. For general questions, call the track at 705-939-6316.

Staying the night nearby

There is no hotel at Kawartha Downs; one exists only as a concept in the track's revitalization plan, and the grounds are closed to camping. The track's FAQ sends campers to four spots: Bailey's Bay in Selwyn, Omemee's Emily Provincial Park, and, in Peterborough, Kawartha Trails Resort and Beavermead Park. The slots have free parking, though the lot is no place to camp.

Questions

Quick answers

Short answers from the checked facts. Tap a question to open it.

Is there a charge to watch the harness races?

There is no charge. Watching live harness racing at Kawartha Downs costs nothing during the season.

Are there races in October?

The season runs from May to September, so October falls outside it. The schedule for each summer is posted on the harness racing page at kawarthadowns.com.

Can you bring your dog to the track?

At the races, service animals are the only animals permitted. Because of the horses they remain inside the building, so leave a pet dog at home.

Can you camp overnight at the track?

Kawartha Downs offers no hotel, and the grounds are closed to camping. For campers, the track's FAQ suggests Bailey's Bay in Selwyn, Omemee's Emily Provincial Park, and Kawartha Trails Resort and Beavermead Park in Peterborough.