What to do.

Tuesday, August 11

KW Vector Space has its open hours chess club from 10 to 4 pm. Come for an hour or play the whole day. Your move!

Join the folks from Book My Therapy for a chill stroll to boost your mood and meet some awesome people while getting fresh air! They're hosting Walk for Wellness in Waterloo Park 5:45 pm.

The Gas Light District has a free screening of GOAT at 7 pm on the giant outdoor screen.

Trivia is back at the Malt & Barley starting at 7:30 pm.

The Water Boys have their end of term concert at the Student Life Centre from 6 to 8 pm.

Wednesday, August 12

Celebrate International Coworking Day at Catalyst Commons with a free hot desk day pass! Join morning tours, a pop-up lunch with Roux Bakery, and snacks and a social to meet members. If you're a remote worker or business owner looking for a new environment to work from and build your network, this is for you.

Runners' Choice Waterloo x Hustle & Flow present Move Together. Give Together. It's a community movement event In support of Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to Camino. It's a 4k or 5-6k run followed by a restorative pilates session afterwards.

Cambridge Summer Live has Juneyt playing live at the City Hall Atrium from 11 to 1 pm.

TWB Brewing has The Life and Death of Birds with Meredith Blunt at 6 pm.

Sydney Jones is playing live at the City of Kitchener's Roos Island Music Series starting at 7 pm.

Abe Erb Kitchener has pub trivia from 8 to 10 pm.

Room 47 in Uptown Waterloo has Riff Raff live on stage at 8 pm, doors at 7 pm.

In For Questioning has Twilight Trivia at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade at 8 pm.

St. Jacobs County Playhouse has The Odd Couple from August 12 to August 30. When neat freak news writer Felix Ungar is thrown out by his soon-to-be ex-wife, he reluctantly finds refuge in the sloppy apartment of his long-time friend Oscar Madison, a scruffy sportswriter and recent divorcé. Can Oscar handle living with an uptight, neurotic perfectionist? Can Felix make himself comfortable in such slovenly surroundings?  Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Thursday, August 13

Step away from your desk and join the Accelerator Centre for Founder Walk & Talk, a relaxed networking event designed to help founders connect, recharge, and get moving. This guided group walk brings together founders and members of the startup community for an informal afternoon of conversation, fresh air, and meaningful connection. 12 pm at the AC in the David Johnston R+T Park.

Explore the lives and community of early Black residents of 1800s Cambridge with Stroll Walking Tour’s Black Cambridge: Footsteps to Freedom. During this 90-minute stroll, you’ll learn about journeys on the Underground Railroad, the lives of early Black residents, and the day when famous U.S. slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglass gave a speech in Galt. 

Waterloo Public Square heats up every Thursday night as Salsa in the Square returns for its fourth year. The Underdog Dance Corp. kicks things off with a free dance lesson at 7 P.M. followed by live performances and music until 11 P.M.. The whole evening is free, but please register for the event! 

Head down to Homer Watson House & Gallery from 5-8p m for the combined Clothesline Art Sale and Books and Blankets Chapter 3. Artwork from local artists will be hung from clotheslines between the trees, and local musician Johanna Daze will be performing from 6-7pm. Drop in between 5-6pm to participate in an open mic for your own writing or a favourite from somebody else. Email events@homerwatson.on.ca to sign up early, or simply bring a book and picnic blanket to join other readers to simply hang out on our beautiful grounds.

Lavender Fizz has its women and non-binary open mic night at TWB Brewing starting at 7 pm.

E.V.O. Kitchen has Throwback 00’s Volume 1 Music Bingo from 7 to 9:30 pm.

The Rabbid Fox has 2010s Music Bingo starting at 8 pm.

Friday, August 14

Carl Zehr Square at Kitchener City Hall comes alive with the 5th Annual Canadian Arab Festival, an evening celebrating Arabic culture, from lively Dabke circles to incredible live performances and mouth-watering cuisine. Bring your family and friends to experience vibrant traditions from local vendors showcasing the richness of Arab culture, all in the heart of Downtown Kitchener. The festival runs from 4 to 9:30 P.M.

Grab a lawn chair, a blanket, and takeout from a downtown business and head to Vogelsang Green for another Sunset Session. Each Sunset Sessions show features two top secret artists from different genres, so come ready to discover something new or enjoy an old favourite.

Work Buzz plays the TWB Brewing Patio Music series starting at 7 pm.

Mark DeBonis (The Great Canadian Laugh Off, Just for Laughs Montreal, The Debaters) headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm.

The Princess Cinema is celebrating 100 Years of Mel Brooks with a screening of Blazing Saddles at 9:30 pm.

Phil with Some Skil has Name Game Music Bingo at Rural Roots Brewing at 7:30 pm.

Saturday, August 15

Shuh Orchards is officially opening for its 2026 Season on August 15th, and will be open every day from 9am-6pm. They have a number of new activities at the orchard this year, including a Bubble Barn, Tire Mountain, Flower Walk, and live music and food trucks on the weekends. Day passes are available in advance, as well as in person at the orchard.

Sean Bienhaus plays the Boathouse live starting at 2 pm.

rare is hosting a community BioBlitz on at their ECO Centre from 9 to 4 pm. Become a community scientist by joining expert-led hikes throughout the day to learn how to find and identify different species - plants, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and more – then share your observations through iNaturalist.

Canada’s largest all-Mopar car show rumbles back into New Hamburg for two days of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth glory. Wander a field of 1,300+ classic, modified, and survivor cars, browse the automotive swap meet, and stick around for prizes, food trucks, and the beer garden. On Friday night, downtown New Hamburg hosts a cruise night open to all makes and models, and Saturday wraps with a burnout contest right after the show. Kids 15 and under get in free! 

Shop local designers, curated vintage, handmade jewelry, original art, oddities, and more from some of the Waterloo Region’s most unique vendors. The Last Night on Earth Fashion and Art Market is happening on August 15 from 4 to 10 P.M. at the Victoria Park Pavilion — and admission is free! 

Twas Now Brewing is taking over the TWB taproom and patio for their 3rd birthday celebrations from 11 to 9 pm. Enjoy Twas Now beer on draught (along with some TWB favourites), hang out with the Twas Now team and don't forget to snag some of their merch while you're there!

Sunday, August 16

Bring the whole family and join the City of Kitchener in Victoria Park for KidsPark, bringing together music, entertainment, learning, activities and so much more. This festival has something for all ages, so plan to spend the day!

The Barrie Baycats are coming to Jack Couch Park to take on your Kitchener Panthers starting at 2:05 pm!

Downtown Kitchener transforms into a vibrant celebration of Asian cultures as the Far East Asian Night Market takes over King Street, Eby Street, and the Kitchener Market. Explore more than 50 vendors serving delicious eats, unique retail finds, and services, plus live performances curated by Good Company Productions, interactive activities, and entertainment for everyone. The market runs from 3 to 11 P.M. and admission is free. 

Dirty Work Studio is hosting Zines are not a Crime from 12 to 4 pm. The event focuses on the politics of zines with a talk by Tara Bursey with the Partizanka Portable Library, zine-making and letter writing session with treats from nibblers & nosh, drinks from whoopsie daisy and tunes from DJ Vania Void and raising funds for their legals costs.

Being near people isn't the same as belonging. Join us to explore the hidden social mechanics that turn co-presence into genuine human connection. Communities aren't built when people gather; they're built when people engage. Learn more at Brains on Tap at TWB Brewing at The Proximity Fallacy with Troy Glover starting at 3 pm.

Bonnie Raitt (dude, Bonnie Raitt!) is playing Centre of the Square on Sunday at 7:30 pm with very special guest Maia Sharp.

Hop House Presents: The Vinyl Social with DJ White Gold and DJ Legal E from 2 to 6 pm. It's an afternoon of all-vinyl 45s, good drinks, great vibes, and nothing but timeless records from start to finish.

Monday, August 17

Cookie Creations by Alison and the Rabbid Fox have Peace, Love, and Cookies from 6 to 8 pm. $59 includes 6 cookies, icing, decorating tools, and instructions. Ages 10 +, must be accompanied by an adult.

Ways to get involved.

You're invited to the KidsAbility 10th Anniversary Party on September 22! Since 2016, Food4Kids Waterloo Region has been helping children in our community thrive by providing food support when they need it most — every weekend and every school break.

What began in founder Kelly-Sue Oberle's dining room with just 19 bags of food has grown into a program that now supports 1,575 children every week. To mark this special anniversary, they're throwing a party and you can get your ticket to celebrate with them at Hacienda Sereda with live music from Momma's Kitchen, performing your favourite hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s.

What to read.

‘Affront to democracy’: Nothing stopping mayors from being appointed regional chair (Bill Doucet, The Record)

Frederick Lanes marks grand reopening after local bowlers save Kitchener staple (Heather Senoran, CTV Kitchener)

Kitchener chef Emily Schlieper dishes on her favourite eats with Jasmine Mangalaseril (CBC KW)