What to do.

Tuesday, December 31

Waterloo Public Library has its Noon Year's Party from 11:15 to noon at the East Side Branch.

Rookie + Ace have a New Years Eve Social at 9 am. Limited space available. Includes 40 minutes of Pickleball and 40 minutes of Padel, racquets/paddles are included along with coffee and pastries following play.

Laugh your way into the New Year at The Big Ripper at The Registry Theatre. The lineup features Tyler Morrison, Tom O’Donnell, and Adam Hofstetter! Known from Crave TV, Sirius XM, and Roast Battles Canada, these boundary-pushing comics are ready to deliver a night of side-splitting humour you won’t forget.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with family, friends, and neighbours at Night of Legends, Kitchener’s ultimate year-end party! Enjoy a dazzling evening of music with tributes to Pink, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Mick Jagger, and Blondie, followed by a family countdown. Then, ring in 2025 with Canada’s top ABBA tribute band, AbbaMania!, as you skate under the stars, sip free hot chocolate and count down to midnight in legendary style.

Countdown to 2025 with hundreds of old and new friends at the Gaslight District. They’ll be streaming the countdown from Times Square and New York City ball drop on Waterloo Region’s largest outdoor screen.

Rock into 2025 with electrifying performances, nostalgic hits, and memories that’ll have you dancing all night long at the Coronet and Lulu's Rock Club Reunion at Elements.

Celebrate New Years Eve at Wave Maker Craft Brewery starting at 7 pm.

Over at The Hub, check out NYE Without The E 2025: A New Years Emo Night at The Hub at 10 pm.

Wednesday, January 1

Start 2025 with music as soprano Holly Chapman and the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra present From Vienna with Love. Enjoy timeless Strauss Waltzes and more inside the beautiful Tapestry Hall in Cambridge.

You may know the story, but you’ve never seen it like this! A Christmas Carol: The Panto reimagines the classic tale with all the fun and antics of an old-fashioned panto—villains, heroes, a dame, lively dancing, incredible music, audience participation, and a touch of theatrical magic at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.

Thursday, January 2

Your KW Titans welcome the Sudbury Five to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Tip off at 7 pm.

Kitchener Public Library kicks off it's Lord of the Rings Marathon with The Fellowship of the Ring at the Central Branch Theatre at 4:30 pm.

Friday, January 3

The Lord of the Rings Marathon continues at KPL with The Two Towers at 1 pm.

Your Kitchener Rangers take on the Erie Otters at the Aud. Puck drops at 7 pm.

Saturday, January 4

The Lord of the Rings Marathon at KPL concludes with The Return of the King at 1 pm.

On January 4, experience Gift of Lights at Bingemans on foot during the last walking tour of the season. 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to KidsAbility on this evening.

Rusty Nail Comedy has headliner Tim Gray at The Crazy Canuck DTK at 7:30 pm.

Indie Music Night takes over Maxwell’s with No Service, Hollow Core, and The Plainspotters at 7 pm.

Sunday, January 5

Celebrate 2025 with the mayor, city council member, and your neighbours at the City of Kitchener’s New Year’s Levee. It’s a free carnival-themed celebration under the big top of City Hall with games, prizes, live music, and more!

Mill Race Folk Traditions presents Pub Carolling for Twelfth Night featuring the Orange Peel Carollers & Village Band. Ernie’s Roadhouse from 3 to 5 pm. Song sheets will be available.

What to read.

Collaborative zine to be created by Kitchener’s new artist in residence (Brent Davis, The Record)

About 40% of schools in Waterloo region need repairs, Ontario's financial watchdog says (Aastha Shetty, CBC KW)