What to do.

Tuesday, August 26

Head to DTK for pickleball fun at the Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival. It’s an action-packed fundraising tournament offers friendly competition, great prizes, and high-energy vibes all day long!

The Gaslight District has a double feature on its giant outdoor screen. Catch “Jumanji” and “Jumanji: The Next Level” starting at 5:30 pm.

Wednesday, August 27

Blackshop Restaurant in Cambridge has a Wine Makers Dinner where sommelier Rick Baroncelli presents a blind tasting of exceptional wines, each hidden in a brown paper bag along with a 6-course meal. $120 per person.

Thursday, August 28

Roos Island comes alive with the music of local folk legends Onion Honey from 7 to 8 pm.

Cool Aunt Creative has a Pressed Flowers Mandala Workshop at PUBLIC Kitchenen at 7 pm.

IdeaExchange Old Post Office has an Open Mic from 6 to 8 pm.

How can we make our gardens more resilient in an era of climate change, more frequent drought, habitat loss and species decline? Learn how at KPL with Lorraine Johnson Talk: Climate Change, Biodiversity and the Garden at 6:30 pm.

Salsa in the Square, hosted by The Underdog Dance Corp., is happening in Waterloo Public Square from 7 to 11 pm.

Friday, August 29

Friday, Anat Hector is playing live at Symposium Cafe in Cambridge from 6-9pm. Chill tunes for your dining pleasure with a mix of pop and jazz. You can find her on Saturday at EVO Kitchen, 1-4pm on the patio.

Ian Sirota is the headliner for two Rusty Nail Comedy shows this weekend. Check him Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm at TWH Social.

Head to downtown Kitchener for another Sunset Session at Vogelsang Green. Brought to you by the Downtown Kitchener BIA curated by Good Company Productions, the evening is a secret show under the stars and lights of the green.

Short Finger Brewing Co. has NovaKate playing live at Live In a Dive from 6 to 8 pm.

The Princess Cinema has a screening of “The Toxic Avenger (2025)” at 9:30 pm.

Saturday, August 30

Latin Music is back on August 30 in Hespeler Village. It’s a free street dancing event with the hottest salsa, bachata, and merengue music! Come feel the emotion and energy while dancing the night away!

Immerse yourself in a world of thrills, chills and suspense, as you experience a Paranormal journey like no other at Paranormal Cirque IV at Cambridge Centre.

The Drews play live at the Rabbid Fox at 7:30 pm.

Sunday, August 31

The Kitchener Rangers Fan Fest Weekend Presented by Longos is Sunday, August 31 from 10am – 2pm at The Aud. Admission to the Fan Fest is free for all fans and will include a number of activities including inflatable games, rides, an autograph session with Kitchener Rangers players, and a BBQ! There are also exhibition games on Friday, August 29, Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31. Net proceeds from the BBQ, as well as admission to the exhibition games will support Make-A-Wish Canada.

Ride Bluebird is hosting a Summer Send-Off Skate Meetup at Fisher Park in Kitchener starting at 5 pm. Bring your board, your friends, and your best vibes. Free stickers, freezies, and cold water.

It’s a triple shot of Anat Hector this week with her show at The Duke of Wellington from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.

Monday, September 1

We’re going to need a bigger newsletter. The Princess Cinemas has a 50th anniversary screening of “Jaws” at 6:30 and 9:15 pm.

Coming up and ways to get involved.

The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market's Harvest Hoedown Is Back!

Pull on your boots, break out your denim and flannel, and get ready for an evening of country charm and lively fun at Harvest Hoedown 2025 on Friday, September 19 | 5–10 PM. Add this to your fall bucket list. With live music, great food, dancing, and local vendors, Harvest Hoedown 2025 is the perfect way to kick off the season.

Rookie + Ace is hosting a Mutli-Sport Challenge on Saturday September 20 where 10 teams of four will battle it out in friendly competition across six different sports—Padel, Pickleball, Mini Pickleball, Ping Pong, Cornhole, Basketball—racking up points to win the top team prize. Net proceeds go to KidsAbility.

What’s Included: Food & drink samples, winning team prizes, and tons of fun in support of an incredible local cause. $500 + HST per team of four, 10 teams max – register early!

What to read.

A Cambridge-based chef's exciting menu. One that is worth the travel to eat – and repeat. Oh, and a line of hot sauce too! (Alex Bielak, Food For Thought)

Distinctive ‘flatiron’ apartment building to replace Kitchener plaza (Brent Davis, The Record)

Lola Liza Foods: A Taste of the Philippines (Adrian Quijano, The Community Edition)

Take the guesswork out of shopping with food subscription boxes (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)