What to do.

Tuesday, September 30

The Princess Cinema has a screening of “The History of Sound” at 9:15 pm.

Wednesday, October 1

Movie Night returns to Kitchener Public Library with a frightful line-up of 1990s horror films sure to scare your lederhosen off. Check out this week’s Movie Night: ‘90s Horror Revival screening of “The People Under the Stairs” at 7 pm.

The Registry Theatre has Shake It Up! The Songs of Elvis Costello and The Cars at 7:30 pm.

0Stella brings her alt-rock Irish fusion to Emmanuel Concerts at 7:30 pm!

Thursday, October 2

Dust off your lederhosen and mark your calendars for October 2, from 2:00 to 5:30 PM, as the R+T Park brings a taste of Bavaria right to the neighbourhood! Special thanks to The Cora Group for their support in making it happen.

Real change starts with understanding. Discover new insights on homelessness and explore solutions to build safer, more inclusive communities at Movie Night for Change. The night begins with documentary screening of “Bridging Divides” followed by a panel discussion with Laurier researchers and student changemakers working on solutions.

Join Good Co. Productions on Thursday, October 2 for a special concert welcoming back two secret artists to KW from afar. The Show will be held live at Den 1880 in Uptown Waterloo, fully in-person. Space is limited.

Casktoberfest is happening October 2–4 at The Civil, known for its stone-fired pies and cozy vibes! Guests can enjoy a flight of Ontario-brewed, German-inspired cask beers, perfectly paired with a festive Oktoberfest-themed pizza for the ultimate fall flavour experience.

Friday, October 3

SWARM, the World’s Largest Swarm Robotics Hackathon is happening 165 King St. starting at 5:30 pm.

It’s time to ziggy, zaggy, and stitch at Frocktobefest. Join the KW Garment Sewists Guild for a fall fashion show celebrating unique, handcrafted apparel. Guild members and local garment sewists will take the stage to showcase their creations in a fun, stylish evening at TWB Brewing.

What’s better than a night at Bingemans KoolHaus? How about some of Canada’s best comedians? Laugh your tracht off at the Lederhosers Comedy Night featuring Yuk Yuk’s comedians, then head into the KoolHaus for a night of Oktobfesting with Canadian country legend Tim Hicks and the Golden Keys.

Check out the Rangers’ Oktoberfest games against the Owen Sound Attack on October 3 at 7 pm!

Gavin Stephens headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 7:30 pm.

Danko Jones plays Maxwell’s starting at 7:30 pm.

Saturday, October 4

Kinderfest is a Bavarian themed, one-day fall fair tailored specifically for families with kids aged 2 – 11. This year, we’re packing twice the entertainment into a single day of magic and fun, including live shows, petting zoo, bouncy inflatables, cookie decorating, face painting, and more.

Cambridge Reads is a resident-led community book swap event taking place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Blue Heron Public School Gym in Cambridge, ON. Cambridge Reads has been made possible by a City of Cambridge’s Community Connections Grant.

Discover one-of-a-kind gifts and meet the makers who bring them to life at Wonderfully Made Fall Market at Steckle Heritage Farm! It’s an unforgettable day filled with cozy vibes, local charm, and community spirit with over 60 talented local makers offering handmade goods, seasonal treats, home décor, fashion, art, and more. (I’ll be there taking photos in the morning, too!)

Join KPL for a movie screening of “Drunk on Too Much Life” followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Michelle Melles and Pedro Orrego as they join in conversation with Prof. Mario Boido from UW. Drunk on Too Much Life is a powerful and intimate feature documentary that follows Corrina, the filmmaker’s 21-year-old daughter on her mind-opening journey from locked-down psych ward and countless medications towards expansive worlds of creativity, connection and greater meaning.

When you want to dive into a ‘new-to-you’ food scene, you want someone to show you that best local bites and hot spots and that’s what you’ll get on the Hespeler Food Tour! A Village in the city, beside a river, with food flavour to surprise and delight you!

Drunk on Too Much Life is a powerful and intimate feature documentary that follows Corrina, the filmmaker’s 21-year-old daughter on her mind-opening journey from locked-down psych ward and countless medications towards expansive worlds of creativity, connection and greater meaning. On her journey of self-discovery, Corrina learns how madness has meaning that goes far beyond brain chemistry.

Explore local artists and their work at the annual KW Central Art Walk in Midtown KW. It’s a unique opportunity to see artists in their own studios, displaying fine art, jewellery, paintings, food, photography, pottery, glass, collage and fibre arts.

Experience four of our amazing art galleries by bike at the Galleries and Gears: Art Bike Tour. You’ll start at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and follow your guide to the The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, The Grebel Gallery, University of Waterloo Art Gallery along our celebrated bike lanes.

The spirits have something to tell you… and you’ll only hear it by coming to Spirit Market at Homer Watson House & Gallery! Come for candles, crystals, readings, thematic artworks and books, and more. Pre-register to make ceramic ghost tea light covers or develop your intuitive abilities, make spooky pop-up cards, and take in some local performing talent while you look for all the ghosts hiding on the house grounds.

Destiny Boxing presents the return of Oktoberfist! A night of Gemutlichkeit hosted at the SydFIT Event Centre – an evening of live amateur boxing, food and beverages.

The legendary Concordia Club in Kitchener transforms into the spiciest spot in the country as Goat Fest returns for 2025! Part of the official KW Oktoberfest lineup, Goat Fest brings a full day of heat, hops, food, and music you won’t want to miss. Kick things off at the all-ages session from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., where families and spice lovers alike can explore 30+ hot sauce makers (including Canada’s largest Hot Ones lineup), sample festival eats from wings to BBQ, and enjoy live music. Then, the party heats up at the 19+ evening session from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., with 15+ breweries and craft drink vendors pouring, plus a stacked music lineup headlined by JUNO Award winner JJ Wilde and party band Eddy & The Dirty Boys.

The Canadian Arabic Orchestra is back with another Sing Along at Centre in the Square’s Studio Theatre at 7:30 pm.

Sunday, October 5

Oktoberfest fun in uptown waterloo returns with the Mayor’s Oktoberfest Market from 12 to 4 pm. Check out local eats at Uptown Waterloo restaurants, and Oktoberfest fun on King Street between Central to Bridgeport St.

The Union KW has the Bolo Tie Line Harvest Moon Fall Formal. Wear your best western wear, bring a dance partner, and enter their second line dance contest if you’re feeling inspired. They have discounted tickets for BIPOC folks.

Monday, October 6

Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region x Princess Cinemas present a Rainbow Film Club screening of “The Lost Boys” at 7 pm.

Ways to get involved.

The Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) is inviting residents to take action and support their community through WRGive, a new online giving platform designed to connect donors with eight local projects that help build a stronger, more connected Waterloo Region.

Earlier this month, WRCF released its 2025 Waterloo Region Vital Signs® Report, focused on social infrastructure. The report shares data, insights, and lived experiences that highlight where our region is thriving—and where gaps remain in terms of social infrastructure. As Waterloo Region grows to one million residents, it is important that collectively we keep learning, keep talking, and keep taking action. WRGive is one way to do just that.

WRGive provides everyone the opportunity to donate directly to initiatives that reflect the themes in the Vital Signs® Report. WRGive is open for donations from September 24 to October 29, 2025. Organizations are hoping to raise between $2,000 and $15,000 for their specific projects. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, your support helps build a region where everyone feels they belong.

What to read.

When the Michelin Guide comes to Waterloo region (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)

‘A welcoming space’: The Working Centre opens new facility in Kitchener (Aastha Shetty, CBC KW)