Updated November 7, 2026: Today’s Cold Springs open mic runs 1–3 p.m., with free audience admission and no audience registration. The library now gives November 6 at 5 p.m. as the performer application deadline; that deadline has passed. Performers registered in advance. Trivia on November 17 remains fully registered. October activities below are retained as historical coverage.
By Cobourg Beach editorial desk · Published October 1, 2026
October brings two ways to take part at Cobourg Public Library without booking a timed event: a month-long collection of new socks for local organizations and a pumpkin-decorating contest for teenagers. Registration is also scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on October 1 for upcoming programmes in Bewdley and Cold Springs, outside Cobourg.
Donate new socks throughout October
The library’s Socktober drive runs October 1–31 at all its library locations, in partnership with the Cobourg Rotary Club. Donations must be new, unused socks; socks for all ages are requested. No registration is needed to drop them off.
The October programme names the Salvation Army, Rebound Child & Youth Services, Fare Share Food Bank, Transition House, Cornerstone and The Rose Quest as organizations supported by the collection. In Cobourg, the library is at 200 Ontario Street. Donations can also be dropped at the library’s branch locations; plan to visit during the relevant branch’s open hours.
Teen pumpkin entries are due October 18
Young people aged 12–17 can pick up a plastic pumpkin and entry form at the Cobourg branch’s main desk, then decorate the pumpkin at home. The offer is limited to one pumpkin per teen, while supplies last.
Return both the pumpkin and form before 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. Public voting is scheduled in the library and virtually from October 19–25, with the winner announced October 26. The prize is a teen prize pack. The programme page does not state a participation fee or guarantee that pumpkins remain available.
Three registration dates to know
The library lists October 1 at 10 a.m. as the opening time for these registrations. Capacity is limited; that opening time is not confirmation of a place.
- Paint and Stitch — Bewdley: October 21 at 6 p.m., at the Alice D. Behan Branch. Adults paint a multicolour canvas and stitch a contrasting design, with materials provided. Registration closes October 20 at 10 a.m. Event details.
- Open Mic — Cold Springs: November 7, 1–3 p.m., at the Cold Springs Branch. The new November programme invites audiences to watch local talent and says all performers registered in advance. The current programme advertises free audience admission without registration and gives November 6 at 5 p.m. as the performer application deadline, now passed. Do not assume walk-in performer slots. Event details.
- Pop-Culture Trivia — Bewdley: November 17, 6–8 p.m., at Lakeview Bar & Grill, 5074 Rice Lake Drive North. Adults and teens are welcome. The library now says registration is closed and the programme is fully registered; its listed capacity is four teams and 24 spaces in total. Event details.
The library’s programme page previously provided online registration links for Paint and Stitch and trivia. Trivia registration is now closed. For open-mic performer enquiries, contact jredshaw@cobourg.library.on.ca; the advertised November 6 performer application deadline has now passed. Fees for the craft and trivia programmes, and any performer fee for the open mic, are not specified in the checked description.
These activities take place at different branches and venues. The donation drive and pumpkin pickup operate during library hours, not as all-day staffed events. Check branch hours before travelling; this report does not confirm accessibility arrangements. Find more timed activities in our local events calendar.
Sources and reporting dates
Original report based on Cobourg Public Library’s October 2026 programme and event information, first checked October 1 and rechecked November 7, 2026. The programme page does not display a publication date. Dates and registration arrangements may change after this check.