What to do.

This weekend is the kickoff of Oktoberfest - and it's quite unlike any Oktoberfest you've experienced before.

First, you've got your foundational Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest festenhallens - Alpine Club, Hubertushaus, Schwaben Club, Transylvania Club and Concordia. If you're new to town or have never been - you really need to experience Oktoberfest at one of these traditional clubs. There are a number of family-friendly events too - and a fashion show - A Blooming Affair - which is being held at the brand new LOT42 event space in Kitchener.

Oktoberfest is more than just beer - but beer is seriously important. If you're a beer and/or cider lover - Craftoberfest is your event. With twenty-eight breweries and cideries on-site, Craftoberfest is quickly becoming the best place to experience Oktoberfest.

The folks at Bingemans have gone rogue and are running their own Oktoberfest Koolhaus with Hacker and Paulaner German beers, craft brews from Waterloo Brewing, Innocente Brewing and craft cider from KW Craft Cider. Craftoberfest is a two-night only event - Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Kitchener Market.

Work uptown or downtown? Kickoff Oktoberfest with the City of Waterloo's Mayor & Council's Oktoberfest Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM and the City of Kitchener's Grillfest on Friday, Oct. 6 from 11 AM to 4 PM.

....and now for non-schnitzel related events ->

Wednesday, Oct. 4 is the opening of Model Citizens at THEMUSEUM from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The night is presented by TOQUE Magazine, 91.5 The Beat and 107.5 Dave FM - with beer provided by Royal City Brewing Company. The night will feature board games, ping pong, air hockey, crokinole and much more. #BrooklynToBerlin

Kitchener Public Library's 85 Queen series presents an evening with author Kristen Ciccarelli on Wednesday, Oct 4 at 7 PM. Chiccarelli is the author of books about deadly dragons, badass girls, and enemies who save each other. Her debut fantasy novel is The Last Namsara, about a girl named Asha who becomes the fiercest, most-feared dragon slayer and takes on a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl. The Last Namsara is the first in the Iskari series, with a sequel to come in fall 2018. Books available for purchase courtesy of Words Worth Books. Registration required.

Paint by Munzy are opening their doors to host live performances from Blue Lobelia and Kurtis Eugene, touring his latest album - Old Rooms, New Light. Thursday, Oct 5. Doors open at 7 PM.

The first ever live Kenny VS Spenny show in Waterloo is this Friday, Oct. 6 starting at 8 PM at Starlight Social Club. Kenny and Spenny continue where they left off on their hit television series, competing for victory in insane challenges that see the best friends try to humiliate one another live on stage.

There are three more nights of KW Little Theatre's production of "What Happens in Vegas". Thursday, Oct. 5, Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7. When John and Tina decide to elope to Vegas, they are hoping for a calm and quiet ceremony...away from their crazy family and friends. But their secret is not as well kept as they'd hoped. First, John's party-ready friend Hugh shows up, hoping to give John the bachelor party he never had. This sparks a series of events which leads to call girls, interpretive dance, smugglers, mistaken identities, secret agents, and four identical sets of luggage. This off-the-wall farce will keep you guessing and laughing all the way to the end.

It's a long weekend Sunday battle at Starlight Social Club with Latin vs Caribbean. This Sunday, Oct. 8 starting at 10 PM. What's the over/under on the number of times Despacito will be played?

Where to be for...

...Music.

Indie Music Night at Maxwell's
Thurs., Oct. 5 | 7:30 PM
Maxwell's Concert & Events

...Trivia.

Sports Trivia
Mon., Oct. 2 | 7:30 PM
Descendants Beer & Beverage Co

...Movie.

Nosferatu w/ Live Score by The Invincible Czars
Sat., Oct. 7 | 7 PM
Apollo Cinema