What to do.

Tuesday, July 14

Waterloo Public Library has a Mid-Summer Play Day at the Main Branch from 10:30 to 12 pm. Again, we have to remind you that it's for kids. Yes, we'd like to bag work and go chill at the library, but there are bills to pay.

KPL has a World Cup Soccer Trivia Night at the Southwest Community Library at 6:30 pm.

Check out a free screening of the LEGO Batman Movie at the Gaslight District on their giant outdoor screen starting at 7 pm.

The Princess Cinema has Interstellar (or Sad Project Hail Mary) at 7 pm.

Wednesday, July 15

Rusty Nail Comedy hosts its always awesome PRO AM night only at TWH Social—and the best part, it's only $5 bucks to get in.

Does your mom think everything on Facebook is real? Do you get random forwards from your parents with images of Taylor Swift running out of MSG? Send them to Fact Check: Credible Images and Deepfakes at Waterloo Public Library's John Harper Branch from 2:00pm - 3:30pm.

Thursday, July 16

Spend your summer dancing and singing under the rainbow at KPL's Rainbow Dance Party. 2:30 pm at Pioneer Park Library. Ages 4-12.

The Kitchener Panthers take on the Hamilton Cardinals at 7:05 pm.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery is excited to announce a one-of-a-kind tour looking at Sharing the Passion: 70 Years of Building the Collection with Jennifer Bullock, Registrar and Assistant Curator. Drawing on her extensive background safeguarding the Permanent Collection for over 13 years, Bullock brings intimate knowledge of the artworks that define this anniversary exhibition.

Jolene is hosting country music bingo at the Rabbid Fox starting at 8 pm.

Kitchener Takes the Stage is a live music showcase that highlights artists on the rise, while offering audiences an intimate concert experience in one of the City's premier venues—the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. Lineup includes I, The Mountain (in a venue that's not Andrea's backyard?!?), Living Room for Small, and a collaborative set bringing together emerging voices and established musicians from across the local music scene led by Matt Weidinger and Friends. Doors at 6 pm, music at 7. Save 50% on your tix with this link.

Grab a blanket, your favourite hoodie, and head to the Hilltop Picnic Area in Waterloo Park for a summer full of outdoor movie nights under the stars. This week's film is Best In Show.

Get up close with great artists in one of Cambridge’s most atmospheric venues. To mark 25 years of rare, the Slit Barn Sessions team up with E-Bolt Music for an intimate summer concert series in the historic Slit Barn, with a Willibald bar pouring drinks (partial proceeds back to rare). Seating is first-come, first-served and shows are 19+. 

TWB Brewing hosts Lavender Fizz, a 2SLGBTQIA+, Women & Non-binary Comedy Open Mic, hosted by local stand-up comic Sarah Thompson! 7 to 9 pm.

Pinch Presents: SHOW & TELL | Open Mic, Open Stage, Open Invitation | Thurs July 16 - 7 pm. Anything goes at this monthly open mic. Comedy, Music, Poetry, Drag, Lectures, Rants, etc! 5 min spots / Performer sign up at 7 pm / Show at 7:30pm / FREE (just reserve your spot online) / Vogelsang Green in Downtown Kitchener (located at Queen & Duke).

Friday, July 17

If your kids are going to work with a bunch of clowns, might as well know how to juggle, right? Prepare your kids for the future of work with Circus Training by Brass Butterflies at WPL's John M. Harper Branch. 2:30 and 4 pm.

George Westerholm (author - Unscheduled Stopover, writer animated series, including the critically acclaimed 6teen) headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm.

On the same night, Rusty Nail Comedy is hosting Comedy All-Stars at the Double Tree Hotel in Kitchener. Headliner is Nigel Grinsteads (Cottage Country Comedy Festival, Sudburys LOL Festival, NXNE) with special guest Ernie Vicente.

The awesome folks at the Gaslight District are turning it up to 11 this July. Enjoy live music every Friday this summer on their outdoor District square Stone Stage from 6 to 8 P.M. 

Now in its 23rd year, the Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show fires up Victoria Park with mouth-watering barbecued ribs and chicken, an outstanding lineup of Ontario craft beer, ciders, and cocktails, live entertainment, and a Kids Fun Zone. A top 100 Ontario festival featuring exclusively local and Ontario-based vendors, it’s a celebration of community and saucy summer flavour. Bring the family, bring your appetite, and savour the season. Enjoy Ribfest!!

Three days, one stage, zero cover. The Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival returns for its 34th year with a free weekend spanning vocalists, urban jazz, funk, R&B, big band, and traditional jazz. Catch Four80East closing out Friday, Alexis Baro Y Latin Big Band lighting up Saturday night, and The Tonewheels with Matt Weidinger sending Sunday home in style. Family activities, youth ensembles, and a packed lineup of local and touring acts round out one of the region’s most beloved summer traditions. 

TWB Brewing's Patio Music Series features Ben Rollo at 7 pm.

Saturday, July 18

Miss T the Bubble Queen brings her enchanting Bubbleology Show to KPL's Forest Heights Library. You'll be captivated by her bubble science and artistry. Embark on a journey of wonder by engaging all senses and making the simple beautiful again with the magic of her unique bubbles. 11 am.

Homer Watson House and Gallery is hosting its first annual Skill Fair! Register for workshops ahead of time and bring a craft or skill of your own to practice alongside others! Workshops include Dragonfly Weaving with Natural Materials, Wand Carving, Creating Maps and Denim Flower Upcycling! Instructors will be demonstrating their skills outside of their workshops, and the free Crafting Circle will be running all day long with folks ready to share their skills. 10-5 pm.

Join pianist Sam Domzella and violinist Sierra Olsthoorn for Modern(-ish) Folk Dances, the fourth concert of the Savon Summer Music 2026 series! This concert will feature a selection of pieces by Bartók, Wood, A. Domzella, Medtner, and Ravel, all of which feature folk tunes and dances. Admission is free/pay what you can. 2:30 pm at All Saints' Anglican Church.

AfroVibes is back with live DJs and high-energy sets across Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, and Hip-Hop, a global vendor marketplace celebrating African, Caribbean, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian creatives, and a Kids & Family Zone packed with activities. Come hungry, come curious, come ready to dance. AfroVibes is where culture, community, and connection come alive. 

Prepare to see the world’s best short films, with plenty of offerings from the city and the region as well at The Deep Cut Film Festival when it returns to Kitchener’s Registry Theatre on Saturday, July 18. There are two shows, both different. The afternoon show runs from 2 to around 4:30 p.m. and the evening show begins at 7 and runs to around 9:30. Admission is pay what you can, and they can only accept cash at the door.

Beautiful Night is an evening of songs that explore themes of night, landscape, and belonging from the UW University Choir. 7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 22 Willow St., Waterloo. Admission: $10 adults, $5 students.

The Princess Cinema has a 4K restoration of Boogie Nights at 9:30 pm.

Sunday, July 19

Annette is playing live at The Falls Road Irish Pub on Victoria St. from 2 to 5 pm.

The Princess has a 75th anniversary screening of Strangers on a Train at 4:20 pm.

Monday, July 20

Learn the basics of how synths work and create unique tones using simple controls and MIDI keyboards at Sound Designing with Synthesizers. No experience or equipment is required. 6:30 pm at KPL Central.

The Roos Island Music Series features Sam Domzella with special guest Sierra Olsthoorn at 7 pm.

Hosted by Rell has general knowledge trivia at the Boathouse starting at 7 pm.

Ways to get involved.

Volunteer registration for the Multicultural Festival of Elmira (MFE) 2026 is now open! Whether you can volunteer for a few hours or the entire day, every contribution helps make the festival a success. MFE is a celebration of culture, community, and connection, and our volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming and memorable experience for everyone.

What to read.

Underdog Hosts Their First Waterloo Salsa Bachata Festival (Harleen Kaur Dhillon, The Community Edition)

You can now take a scenic flight aboard an electric plane at Waterloo region's airport (Carmen Groleau, CBC KW)

Pick-your-own farms can be berry sweet, but remember to follow the rules ( Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)

Supporting pediatric care through Scotland’s Yard Road Hockey Classic as community, hockey players come together (Olivia Barrett, The Record)