Explore Waterloo Region

Explore Waterloo Region From cityscapes to countryside escapes, consider this your gateway to curiosity.

The sun sits a little lower, the evenings feel a little softer, and summer seems to know it's being asked to linger.Labo...
08/31/2026

The sun sits a little lower, the evenings feel a little softer, and summer seems to know it's being asked to linger.

Labour Day long weekend is one last invitation to fill the days with the things that make summer in Waterloo Region feel unforgettable. Wander through lively festivals, stretch out on a patio, explore trails beneath a warm afternoon sky, visit a favourite attraction, or follow the road wherever the weekend takes you. There is still time for one more adventure, one more meal shared outside, one more memory made before the season quietly begins to turn.

Hold onto summer just a little longer and discover how to make the final long weekend count.
https://explorewaterloo.ca/2026/08/last-long-weekend-of-summer/

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08/30/2026

August gives way to September this week, but summer hasn't quite handed over the keys.
There are still evenings for dancing, patios for live music, outdoor screenings, workshops, comedy, and a few final summer traditions to enjoy. As one month closes and another begins, Waterloo Region has plenty of reasons to keep the calendar open.

Monday, August 31

🧵 Boro Style Embroidery & Visible Mending Workshop @ Ernie’s Cookhouse | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Give worn clothing a creative second life while learning decorative patchwork, hand sewing, and embroidery techniques inspired by the Japanese tradition of Boro.

Tuesday, September 1

🐄 Farmyard Follies @ St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Princess story time and friendly farm animals bring another morning of family fun to the market.

🤠 Beginner Line Dancing @ Remix Swing | 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM
Grab your indoor shoes and learn the fundamentals during this welcoming weekly drop in line dancing class.

🎻 The Unfaithful Servants @ The Vill | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Folk, bluegrass, Americana, rich harmonies, and masterful musicianship come together as the acclaimed Vancouver Island quartet takes the stage.

Wednesday, September 2

🧩 Summer Mosaic Sessions @ Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery | 6:30 PM
Cut, shape, arrange, glue, and grout reclaimed ceramics and glass to create your own functional coaster or decorative mosaic.

🐾 KW Humane Society Fundraiser: Paint Your Pet | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Turn a favourite photo of your pet into a personalized painted portrait while supporting the shelter, with $10 from every ticket donated to the Humane Society.

Thursday, September 3

😂 D.J. Demers Live @ The Registry Theatre | 6:30 PM
Comedian D.J. Demers brings the clever and personal stand up that has taken him to The Tonight Show, Conan, America’s Got Talent, Just For Laughs, and stages around the world.

🎸 Nic Nolet Trio @ The Boathouse DTK | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Americana and folk traditions meet contemporary songwriting as Niagara singer songwriter and guitarist Nic Nolet takes the stage with his trio.

🎵 Musical Bingo: Back to the 80s Vol. 2 @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Big hair, huge hits, and another totally rad playlist turn musical bingo into a trip straight back to the 1980s.

💃 Salsa in the Square @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Free dance lessons, live performances, music, and social dancing keep Uptown Waterloo moving into another September evening.

Friday, September 4

⚽ Ipswich Town vs. Liverpool @ Gaslight District | 3:00 PM
Bring a chair and some team spirit to the District Square for a free outdoor screening of Premier League action on the Big Screen.

💻 Waterloo Tech Mixer & Social @ White Rabbit | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Developers, entrepreneurs, students, data scientists, AI professionals, and others from Waterloo Region’s tech community gather for an informal evening of conversation and connection.

🎸 Patio Music Series: Zoltar @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Zoltar brings big energy and its own spin on everything from Van Halen to Britney Spears for another night of live patio music.

😂 Rusty Nail Comedy featuring Darrin Rose @ TWH Social | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Darrin Rose headlines a fast paced Friday night of stand up alongside a lineup of rising and established Canadian comedians.

If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what’s happening across Waterloo Region this week.
More in our events calendar: https://explorewaterloo.ca/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2026-08-31

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08/29/2026

The trail stretches ahead, the morning air is cool, and somewhere down the road a good coffee is waiting.

Cycling through Waterloo Region is as much about the stops as the kilometres between them. Pedal along quiet country roads, follow riverside trails into charming communities, then roll into a café, brewery, attraction, or overnight stay that knows how to welcome cyclists. Ontario By Bike certified businesses across the region make it easy to pause, refuel, explore, and keep the adventure moving. From bustling urban neighbourhoods to peaceful countryside escapes, every ride can unfold into a full day of discovery.

Follow the route, make the stops count, and discover the places that make Waterloo Region even better by bike.
https://explorewaterloo.ca/cycling/bicycle-friendly-businesses-in-waterloo-region/

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Strings of lights sway above as applause bursts from every corner.Uptown Waterloo is a canvas painted with colour, sound...
08/27/2026

Strings of lights sway above as applause bursts from every corner.

Uptown Waterloo is a canvas painted with colour, sound, and motion. Jugglers toss impossible patterns into the air, acrobats bend and fly in ways you did not think were possible, and somewhere down the block, the snap of a flame draws a crowd into its glow. Every street is alive with the pulse of performance, and every step takes you deeper into Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival's spell.

The city feels different today, brighter, bolder, and buzzing with energy you cannot ignore. Step into the celebration: https://ow.ly/3IBu50WEc54

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08/26/2026

August is saving plenty for its final weekend.
Steam whistles join the sounds of street performers, live music spills into public squares, dancers take over the streets, and summer squeezes in one more round of festivals, expos, night swims, comedy, golf, markets, sport, and afternoons spent outside. The calendar may be turning soon, but Waterloo Region isn't rushing summer out the door.

Saturday, August 29

🚂 Waterloo Railway Expo | All Day
Railways come together at every scale during the inaugural expo, with prototype models, preservation groups, restoration shop tours, clinics, layout open houses, vendors, and historic railway experiences.

🔮 Cambridge Psychic & Crystal Fair | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Explore more than 30 vendors featuring psychics, mediums, tarot and palm readers, astrologers, healers, aura photography, crystals, and metaphysical treasures.

🪣 Bucket of Thanks | 10:01 AM – 2:01 PM
Pack a relief kit destined overseas, sample and purchase canned meat, enjoy family activities, and get creative in a soap structure contest supporting MCC relief work.

💎 Kitchener Rock & Gem Expo @ Stanley Park Community Centre | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Discover rocks, minerals, fossils, gemstones, crystals, jewellery, beads, geological treasures, and hands on experiences including geode cracking.

🎪 Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Uptown Waterloo comes alive with world class acrobats, jugglers, contortionists, comedians, fire acts, musicians, roaming performers, midway rides, food, and Artist Alley.

🍻 Hespeler Community Festival: Four Fathers’ 11th Anniversary | 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Celebrate 11 years of Four Fathers with live music, local food trucks, a beer garden, lawn games, family activities, and an all ages community festival.

🤖 Pop Up Museum: Stemotics | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Kids can build, code, experiment, and explore engineering concepts through hands on LEGO robotics and STEM activities.

⛳ Golf Tournament @ RiverEdge Golf Club | 1:00 PM
Hit the course for a two person scramble before heading back to Wave Maker Brewing for food, craft beer, live music, prizes, and an after party.

🤠 FREE Line Dancing with Kynamics Studio @ Gaslight District | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Learn the basics or jump straight onto the dance floor during a free outdoor line dancing session welcoming every experience level.

🎧 Live DJ Saturdays @ Gaslight District | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Free DJ sets bring one more Saturday evening of summer music to the Stone Stage in Downtown Cambridge.

💃 Latin Music on Queen @ Downtown Hespeler | 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Queen Street becomes a dance floor for another free evening of Latin music, fresh air, and dancing for every skill level.

🎭 Scenes From a Hat: An Improv Show! @ 44 Gaukel | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Audience suggestions fuel an unpredictable evening of live improv where no two scenes are quite the same.

🎸 Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe Double Tribute Night @ Maxwell’s | 7:30 PM
Arena rock returns with huge hooks, shredding guitars, soaring vocals, and tributes celebrating two icons of 1980s hard rock.

😂 Rusty Nail Comedy featuring Black Zeus @ TWH Social | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Black Zeus headlines a Saturday night of sharp stand up, big laughs, and a rotating lineup of Canadian comedy talent.

🌊 Big Splash Night Swim: K Pop @ Bingemans | 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Celebrate one of the final summer nights with K Pop, all 13 waterslides, the heated wave pool, splash pad, and swimming beneath the stars.

💘 Kitchener Singles Mixer Ages 19–30 @ The Rabbid Fox | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Skip the structured speed dates and mingle at your own pace during a relaxed evening built around cocktails, conversations, and new connections.

Sunday, August 30

🚂 Waterloo Railway Expo | All Day
The inaugural railway weekend continues with more opportunities to explore railway history and modelling, including a special steam excursion behind historic Locomotive No. 9.

💪 FREE Outdoor Fitness Class with EMBR Studio @ Gaslight District | 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Start Sunday moving with a free outdoor workout welcoming all ages and strength levels.

🫖 Tea by the Grand @ McDougall Cottage | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Settle into the historic stone cottage for tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, sweets, conversation, and a wander through the heritage garden.

💍 Cambridge Hotel Wedding Show | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Walk through a fully styled wedding journey featuring ceremony and reception spaces, fashion, beauty demonstrations, décor, tastings, and more than 20 wedding vendors.

🎭 Improv at EVO @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Beginners, seasoned performers, and everyone in between can jump into a pay what you can afternoon of improv.

If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what’s happening across Waterloo Region this weekend.
More in our events calendar: https://explorewaterloo.ca/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2026-08-29

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The morning begins with the smell of fresh bread, a basket waiting to be filled, and absolutely no intention of leaving ...
08/25/2026

The morning begins with the smell of fresh bread, a basket waiting to be filled, and absolutely no intention of leaving empty handed.

Farmers’ markets are woven into the rhythm of life in Waterloo Region. Wander past tables overflowing with just picked produce, bunches of flowers bright enough to stop you in your tracks, jars of preserves, local meats, cheeses, baked goods, and treats that somehow find their way into the bag before you make it home. Behind every table is a farmer, baker, grower, or maker with a story to share, turning a simple Saturday morning into a delicious connection with the people and places that feed our community. Come hungry, bring a tote, and leave plenty of room for whatever catches your eye.

Follow the scent of fresh bread and discover where Waterloo Region comes to market.
https://explorewaterloo.ca/2026/05/farmers-markets-in-waterloo-region-2/

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The wine is chilled. The sun is low. Somewhere in the pasture, a miniature goat is already on its way over. 🍷🐐At The Per...
08/24/2026

The wine is chilled. The sun is low. Somewhere in the pasture, a miniature goat is already on its way over. 🍷🐐

At The Perth Farmhouse, the countryside feels made for lingering. Glasses catch the afternoon light, conversation drifts beneath the pergola, and the vineyard stretches quietly beyond the table. A picnic becomes an occasion. A few curious goats turn into unexpected company. And somewhere between the first sip and the last laugh, the rest of the world begins to feel very far away.

This is the kind of Fields & Flavours stop that asks you to stay a little longer: https://explorewaterloo.ca/fields-flavours-trail/

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08/23/2026

The final full week of August has arrived, but summer is nowhere near ready to pack it in.
There are still warm evenings to spend outside, patios filled with music, markets to wander, games to catch, art to make, and festivals ready to fill the streets. From opera and outdoor movies to baseball, buskers, dancing, workshops, live music, and plenty in between, Waterloo Region is giving August a proper send off.

Monday, August 24

🔥 Wood Burning Coasters Workshop @ Ernie’s Cookhouse | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Put your creativity to work designing and wood burning a personalized set of coasters during a relaxed evening of crafting, drinks, and laughs.

Tuesday, August 25

🐄 Farmyard Follies @ St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Princess story time and friendly farm animals make for another fun summer morning at the market.

🔬 Iron Willed: Women in STEM @ City of Waterloo Museum | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Explore the stories of pioneering women whose discoveries and innovations changed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

🤠 Beginner Line Dancing @ Remix Swing | 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM
Grab your indoor shoes and learn the fundamentals during this welcoming weekly drop in class.

🎶 Summer Music Series @ Langdon Hall | 6:30 PM
Greg Wyard celebrates the sounds of the seventies with nostalgic favourites, singalongs, and a three course dinner overlooking Langdon Hall’s gardens.

🎬 Hoppers Outdoor Screening @ Gaslight District | 7:00 PM
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and catch a free family friendly screening of Hoppers on the giant outdoor screen in Downtown Cambridge.

🎵 Guess That Tune Trivia @ Four Fathers Brewing Co. | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Put your music knowledge to the test with hits spanning decades and genres, from classic rock and country to pop, hip hop, and throwback favourites.

💃 Dance It Off Tuesdays: East Coast Swing @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Learn the basics of East Coast Swing before dancing the evening away to live music from the KW Kool Big Band.

Wednesday, August 26

👑 Princess Charm Bracelet Party @ Mini Playtown | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Little royals can design their own charm bracelet, meet Belle, Ariel, and Rapunzel, and enjoy plenty of magical photo moments and playtime.

🏓 Youth Pickleball Development Series @ Four Fathers Pickleball Society | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Young players wrap up the August series with coaching, skill development, games, strategy, and friendly competition.

🎭 Hops & High Notes: Opera at the Brewery @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Local performers bring opera and musical theatre favourites into a relaxed brewery setting during this pay what you can evening.

Thursday, August 27

🥎 Next Level U Sports Women’s Softball Combine @ Upper Canada Park | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Talented female athletes begin a two day combine featuring professional skill testing, on field training, competitive gameplay, recruiting education, and opportunities to connect with collegiate coaches.

🏡 Timbers in Time @ City of Waterloo Museum | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Step inside Waterloo’s 1820 Log Cabin and discover its journey from German language schoolhouse to a home for Black freedom seekers and beloved local landmark.

🧘 Kid Friendly Yoga @ Sweet Pea Studio | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Parents and children stretch, move, laugh, and practise mindfulness together during this welcoming family yoga class.

🛍️ Stanley Park Summer Market | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Celebrate the final market of the summer with local crafts, jewellery, treats, food trucks, children’s activities, live music, and handmade finds.

🧵 Kinusaiga Craft Night @ Covenant Café | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Discover the Japanese art of Kinusaiga while using colourful fabrics and beginner friendly techniques to create a unique piece of your own.

🎶 Concerts at the Castle @ Castle Kilbride | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cabin Fever closes out this year’s concert series with one final summer evening of live music on the front lawn.

⚾ Kitchener Panthers vs London Majors @ Jack Couch Park | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cheer on the Panthers as they take on the London Majors during another summer night of Intercounty Baseball League action.

🎵 Musical Bingo: Epic 90s vs 00s Battle @ EVO Kitchen & Bar | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Two unforgettable decades go head to head in a night packed with throwback hits, nostalgia, singalongs, and musical bingo.

💃 Salsa in the Square @ Waterloo Public Square | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Free salsa lessons, performances, music, and social dancing keep Uptown Waterloo moving into the night.

🎪 Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
World class street performers descend on Uptown Waterloo as the four day festival begins with acrobatics, comedy, juggling, music, fire acts, midway rides, vendors, and plenty of surprises.

🥃 Whisky Tasting Night @ Thirteen Food & Beverage | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Explore exceptional pours, discover new favourites, and share stories one dram at a time during this monthly tasting hosted by local whisky enthusiast Garret Titus.

Friday, August 28

🥎 Next Level U Sports Women’s Softball Combine @ Upper Canada Park
The two day combine continues as athletes showcase their abilities through skill development, evaluation, competitive gameplay, and recruiting opportunities.

🔮 Cambridge Psychic & Crystal Fair | 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Explore psychics, mediums, tarot and palm readers, astrologers, healers, aura photography, crystals, and metaphysical treasures from more than 30 vendors.

🎶 Live Music Fridays @ Gaslight District | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Free live music returns to the Stone Stage for another summer evening in Downtown Cambridge.

♛ Queen’s Night: FREE Girls Chess Social @ Vector Space | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Girls of all ages and skill levels can drop in for casual chess, learn how to play, meet fellow players, and compete to become Queen of the Hill.

🤝 Waterloo Social & Language Exchange @ White Rabbit | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Meet new people, practise languages, exchange cultures, and expand your social circle over food and drinks.

🎸 Matt Campbell @ Stockyards Brewing | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Americana, soul, and roots rock meet heartfelt storytelling as Matt Campbell brings his live show to Stockyards.

😂 The Aunt Zelda’s Dirty Bingo Show @ Maxwell’s | 7:00 PM
Bingo gets an outrageous makeover with comedy, mini games, laughs, and prizes decidedly unlike anything found at the average bingo hall.

🌅 Sunset Sessions @ Vogelsang Green | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Two secret artists take the stage for another free summer concert in the heart of Downtown Kitchener.

🎷 Patio Music Series: Funk ‘n Circumstance @ TWB Brewing | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Jazz, funk, R&B, pop, rock, and some delightfully quirky instrumental covers keep the patio grooving into Friday night.

If we missed your event, drop it in the comments and let the community know what’s happening across Waterloo Region this week.
More in our events calendar: https://explorewaterloo.ca/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2026-08-24

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Somewhere between the first excited “Can we go?” and the sleepy ride home, a childhood memory is being made.Summer in Wa...
08/22/2026

Somewhere between the first excited “Can we go?” and the sleepy ride home, a childhood memory is being made.

Summer in Waterloo Region was built for big imaginations and even bigger adventures. Spend the day meeting animals, splashing through water, climbing, exploring, discovering something new, or simply following the kids wherever their curiosity takes them. These are the days of sticky fingers, grass stained knees, belly laughs, and stories enthusiastically retold from the back seat all the way home. For parents, the magic is getting to watch it all unfold and knowing that an ordinary summer afternoon might become one of the days they remember forever.

Fill their summer with the adventures childhood memories are made of.
https://explorewaterloo.ca/2026/07/kid-approved-adventures-waterloo-region/

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Some roots grow deeper with every generation. 🌾For 110 years, the Moore family has been farming the same piece of land i...
08/21/2026

Some roots grow deeper with every generation. 🌾

For 110 years, the Moore family has been farming the same piece of land in Ayr. What began in 1916 has grown across four and five generations into Moore Farms Ayr, where the traditions of a Century Farm continue alongside plenty of new reasons to pull into the laneway.

There are fields of strawberries, fresh vegetables, Longhorn cattle grazing nearby and a farm store filled with food grown here and sourced from neighbouring farms. Then there’s the Longhorn Smokehouse, where brisket, pulled pork and other Texas-inspired favourites bring a little smoke to the farm-to-fork experience. Add live music, artisan markets and opportunities for the next generation to discover farm life, and this is a place where 110 years of history still feels very much alive.

And in a few weeks, the Moore family is throwing a birthday party worthy of that story. 🎂

On September 12, Moore’s will celebrate its 110th Anniversary Bash with live music, a vendor market, farm experiences, plenty of cake and a few surprises still being kept under wraps.

Follow the Fields & Flavours Trail to Township of North Dumfries and visit a farm where generations of stories are still growing: https://explorewaterloo.ca/fields-flavours-trail/

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