What to do.

Tuesday, February 10

Is your phone listening to you? Feeling like every click is being watched? Then check out Dirty Work Studio's screening of The Net at 6:30 pm. Limited seating.

Johanna Daze plays live at Arabella Park Beer Bar from 7 to 10 pm.

Wednesday, February 11

The Lazaridis School of Business & Economics and Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis are hosting Laurier Alumni - Economic Outlook 2026: The Era of Uncertainty – Your Information. At this free and open to the public event, they'll explore what the state of economic uncertainty means for local communities and Canada. You can come to Lazaridis Hall in-person or join online. 2:30 to 4 pm.

The Engineering Leadership Community - KW Chapter (ELC KW) is a local
community for engineering leaders—managers, directors, VPs, and CTOs—to
connect with peers facing similar challenges. They're hosting Difficult Conversations with Anne Bermingham this Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 pm at the Planitar office in Waterloo (550 Parkside Dr.).

The UWaterloo Office of Indigenous Relationsis hosting Cultivating Climate Activism through Storytelling and Art with Guest Speaker Isaac Murdoch  at 6:30 pm at the CIGI auditorium in Uptown Waterloo. The event explores the vital role of Indigenous perspectives in understanding climate change, shaping climate action, and sustaining community-rooted resilience.

MT Space presents a special edition of TELL! in partnership with Textile and UWAG. Join them at the University of Waterloo Art Gallery on February 11, where they will be hosting TELL! as part of i look to the skies an exhibition by Palestinian-Canadian artist Jude Abu Zaineh. Want to participate? Thinking of performing? Check the Eventbrite for more info!

In For Questioning Trivia has Heated Rivalry trivia at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade at 8 pm.

Thursday, February 12

Mabel May Recycled & Vintage Clothing is hosting a Galentine’s night at the Pink Crow Cafe in Uptown Waterloo. It's a night of cocktails, music, bites and vintage shopping for the ladies. $10 at the door, includes a free cottage springs beverage and appetizers!

Disaster CLASS is an experience designed around three ways we encounter disaster, and how these moments, though painful, can also lead to connection, reflection, and transformation. Speaker lineup is Tim Windsor, Faune Lang, and Jenni Jackson, plus live music from the The MacQueens. 5:30 pm at Catalyst Commons.

Little Mushroom Dining Lounge has Tapas & Trivia, Valentine's Edition in support of TEAO (Trauma & Embodiment Association of Ontario) at 6 pm.

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

Revive Karaoke Bar and Thursday are hosting a Be My Valentine Singles Party on Feb 12. Got a single friend who deserves the spotlight? Give a 3 minute pitch on why they’re the biggest catch in the bar—sign up here.

Centre in the Square has An Intimate Evening with JJ Grey & Mofro at 8 pm.

Friday, February 13

Celebrate a decade of TWB! Opening day line-up on draught - plus they'll have a limited edition Birthday beer. Tunes by DJ Big Tom. Dress for the weather and cozy up by the fire tables. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows (available by PWYC donation to the Food Bank).

Midnight Run is open late for an Afterhour Session with artistbasm & friends. 8 to 11 pm. Bring a friend.

Whether you’re single, taken, or a situationship (do we still say that?), head over to Den 1880 for a night of laughs, love, and amazing live music for Palentine's Day. $10 cover. 6:30 to 11:30 pm.

Brandon Dean is playing live at Farm League Brewery at 7 pm. $6 happy hour pints from 6 to 9 pm.

Over at the Lanc, you can get some brisket and join music from John McKinley from 6 to 9 pm.

JTM Cake Studio & Cafe has a Galentine’s Cake Paint & Sip event from 7 to 9 pm.

Matt Lamers is hosting an open mic night at Counterpoint Brewing from 7 to 9 pm.

Saturday, February 14

Joel Rubinoff Film Festival: The Time Travel Years presents a screening of Yesterday at 3:45 pm.

Community Healthcaring KW is hosting a Black History Month Family Celebration from 1 to 3 pm. The celebration will include music, food, and meaningful moments of connection. It’s a great opportunity to learn, celebrate, and enjoy time together.

Looking for a healthy way of unplugging or destressing? Consider a conscious dance experience at Love Yourself Studio (Yoni Mudra Art Gallery). Discover how dance is medicine when you let your body find its own language of movement. Starting in stillness, let yourself explore, experiment, and discover emotional and physical expression in an open, unconditional space. 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

Four Fathers Brewing Co. is hosting Back Then: A Valentine’s Throwback Party from 2:30 to 10 pm.

Concorida Club has a special Valentine's Day menu with entertainment from DJ Novak. $49 for three courses and you need a reservation.

Don't thumb your nose at this. The Princess Cinema has a 30th anniversary screening of Romeo + Juliet at 6:45 pm.

Scottish‑born Canadian rock icon and current frontman of Styx, Gowan, plays Centre in the Square at 8 pm.

Niles Seguin headlines a romantic Rusty Nail Comedy night at TWH Social starting at 7:30 pm. Nile has performed at the Just for Laughs Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, the Halifax Comedy Festival and the Boston Comedy Festival. There's a Friday show too if that works better.

From the hills of Jamaica, to K-W’s godfather of Reggae, Errol Blackwood digs into the songs that gave Reggae its wings, plus Messenjah, and his solo albums. An evening through the heartbeat of Reggae, and its message of love, and peace. 8 pm at The Registry Theatre.

Maxwell's has EMO Night – Valentine’s Edition at 7:30 pm.

Sunday, February 15

DTK BIA’s Sunday Grind brings DJs to some of your favourite or soon-to-be-favourite coffee shops and cafes across the downtown core. This Sunday, check out DJ Isamazing at Starbucks from 11 to 2 pm.

Eastbridge Academy has a Chess Social from 1 to 4 pm. Come play casual friendly games with local KW chess players. All levels and ages are welcome, and they have lessons for new players.

One wristband to rule them all. If your long weekend plans involve more than just sleeping in, the Long Weekend Band Crawl is back for Volume 15 this Sunday. Fat Scheid and Pink Lemonade Records have rounded up 14 punk and alternative acts—including heavy hitters like Witchrot and AAWKS—to take over Uptown Waterloo. One ticket gets you into four venues (The Princess Cafe, Prohibition Warehouse, Revive Karaoke, and Room 47), so you can hop around until you find your vibe. Just a heads-up: entry is guaranteed at Prohibition and Room 47, but the other two are first-come, first-served until they hit capacity. Grab your pass on TicketScene, show your proof of purchase at the door to get your wristband, and prepare for a marathon of DIY noise. 19+. (Poster designed by the awesome bRAT)

Kick off the first-ever session of "The Academy" at TWB with Dr. Kieran Bonner for a deep dive into the sociology of "To Drink Or Not To Drink?" Based on his recent book, Euphoria and Symposia, this lecture-meets-social-hour invites you to explore the dialectic of desire and well-being over a pint (or two).

Monday, February 16

It's Family Day, and the Princess Cinema has two family favourites for you. First, they have Happy Feet at 11:30 am and then Labyrinth at 2 pm.

Looking for something to do with your kids on Family Day that won’t break the bank? Look no further! Your KW Titans are taking the fun level up a notch with a special Family Day Fan Fest game on Monday February 16 at 3 pm. 

Doors open at 2pm with lots of opportunities to play and have fun in the upper concourse with interactive games, activities, the KW Titans and Titus. Once the players hit the court, get ready to join in some fan favourite contests and games. 

Special offer for TL;WR readers: It’s more fun when you’re with friends! A limited number of buddy tickets are available, where a companion ticket can be added at no cost. Use code FAMILY26 online or in person at the box office.

Ways to get involved.

If you’re worried about Friday the 13th being a bust, the Lucky in Love Scavenger Hunt is here to pivot the bad luck into a local love fest. This one-day-only community crawl is designed for dates, Galentine's squads, or "chaotic best-friend adventures." The mission is simple: start at Café Clementina to grab a map, then hit up local heavy hitters like Princess Cinemas, Old Goat Books, and Adventurer’s Guild to track down custom illustrations by @real.fake.tattoos. Snapping and tagging a photo of the art at each stop enters you to win a haul of local prizes—no purchase required. Some spots are even leaning into the "unlucky" date with card readings, flash tattoos, and themed treats. It’s a low-stakes, high-reward way to explore KW without the Friday the 13th jump scares. Brought to you by M4LL PH0T0, Café Clementina, and Ink Den KW.

Due to popular demand, the OK2BME merch store is back! If you didn’t get a chance to order during the first round, or you’re ready to add some new swag to your collection, now’s your chance. Wear your pride. Show your allyship. Look fabulous doing it! For 20 years OK2BME, a program of Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, has been part of shaping a community where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Let’s splash Waterloo Region with the message “It’s OK 2 B You. It’s OK2BME!” Even better, a portion of every item purchased goes directly to help Camino provide local mental health supports!

What to read.

Gluttons, Gourmets & Reviewers (Alex Bielak, Food For Thought)

The Legacy of Shannon Lee (Sangjun Han, The Community Edition)

Crispy, gooey, salty: Food columnist Jasmine Mangalaseril explores the world of poutine (CBC KW)