What to do.

Tuesday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo on a Tuesday? Celebrate at TWB Brewing Join patio with a taco pop-up with Chef Eduardo of Lord of the Tacos, serving up the good stuff starting at 4:30 pm. As if that wasn’t reason enough to celebrate, they're also bringing back our fan-favourite Cerveza La Mera Mera — crisp, refreshing, and made for patios and sunshine.

Looking for tacos on Tuesday? Check out:

• Ethel’s Lounge – Tuesday is always Taco Tuesday at Ethel’s with their famous hardshell tacos for $3.33 each. 
• The Mule – Enjoy authentic dishes in the heart of Downtown Cambridge.
• Casa Toro 88 – You’ll find some of the best street tacos in Kitchener at this spot on the corner of Charles and Benton in Dowtown Kitchener. 
• The Cactus – Just steps from UW is where you’ll find Waterloo’s best Mexican food at The Cactus. Be sure to try the enchiladas de mole! 
• Don Julio Tacos & Tequila Bar – Tucked in the corner next to Bobby O’Briens, Don Julio Tacos & Tequila Bar is a beautiful spot with dishes that will knock your taste buds off. 
• Uno Marketplace – Last, but not least — Uno Marketplace on Franklin Blvd. serves amazing tacos, including their famous birrias tacos.  

Ink-Stained Wretches present a 2026 Journalism Film Festival screening of Spotlight, the true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. Presented by Ink-Stained Wretches in partnership with Midtown Radio and the Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

KPL has Hey Ho, Let's Go! Celebrating 50 Years of the Ramones at 7 pm. Join them for a full vinyl listen-through of the Ramones' self-titled debut LP, with author and punk historian Liz Worth on hand to put the album in context and guide the conversation.

Wednesday, May 6

The Boathouse has Locations & Destinations trivia at 7 pm, hosted by Rell. Assemble your dream team of up to 6 and be ready to tackle all the wonders of the world.

Take a trip down memory lane with Guse Productions’ A Sentimental Journey 4. It’s a musical journey through the decades that will have you dancing in the aisles. Proceeds go to support the KidsAbility Foundation. 

KPL hosts Multicultural Connections 2026 from 6 to 8 pm. Multicultural Connections is a free, family‑friendly event held each spring to celebrate the diversity of Waterloo Region. Connect with others and explore stories of belonging shared by local ethnocultural and grassroots organizations.

Thursday, May 7

TWB Brewing has the Lavender Fizz 2SLGBTQIA+, Women & Non-binary Comedy Open Mic hosted by local stand-up comic Sarah Thompson! Plus Kojo's Korner will be on the patio serving their delicious Ghanaian-inspired food, 5-8:30 pm.

​Are you worried that using AI might be making you stupid? Exercise that big ol' brain of yours with Mind Club, an in-person session where you'll do math, science, language, logic, and reasoning. 6:30 pm at Builder's Club.

The Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery invites you to the first installment of 2026's Culture Talks featuring Dr. Troy Glover, a professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo and Director of the Healthy Communities Research Network. His work explores how everyday environments and experiences—from parks and public spaces to leisure engagement—shape social connection, community life, and wellbeing. 6:30 pm at The Walper Hotel.

Friday, May 8

It's the last Loud Library Reading night of the season at Whoopsie Daisy Drinks in DTK. It's an open mic literary night with fiction, poetry, and and more.

Trivia, good people, and great beer? BeccaHosts hosts a general trivia night at Rural Roots in Elmira starting at 7:30 pm. Reservations highly recommended.

Union KW has not one, not two, but three shows this weekend. First up on Friday is A Trigger Happy with very special guests Kumite Masters, Blitzrockers, and New kids on the block (no, the other one). Doors at 7, show at 7:30.

Live at a Dive at Short Finger Brewing Co. features Stacy Taylor from 6 to 8 pm.

John Mostyn (Just For Laughs Toronto, Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is headling Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm.

Over at Counterpoint Brewing, check out the Mixed Emoji(s) artist's reception from 4 to 9 pm. Meet Danny Burton - the artist whose art is on display in the taproom! Come for a food pop-up, live music, and if you're so inclined, purchase some art. Plus their collaboration beer release will be available to try!

Maxwell's has John Shambles – Spring Fever Tour at 7:30 pm. It's the solo project of Brett Emmons of The Glorious Sons, stepping away from rock roots into a lo-fi alternative indie space built on relatable lyricism and a swirling soundscape produced by Juno nominee Derek Hoffman.

What happens when Greek guitar virtuoso Pavlo teams up with America’s Got Talent finalist Daniel Emmet? It’s a one-of-a-kind night of Mediterranean rhythms and soaring operatic-pop vocals that you can experience live at Centre in the Square. It’s an evening of energy, emotion and world-class artistry you don’t want to miss.

Also at Centre in the Square in the Studio Theatre, check out The Big and Tall Comedy Tour featuring  CJ Erwin, Billy Squires, Jonny P, Tim Reaburn, and Curtis Coleman. 8 pm.

Saturday, May 9

May 9 is Baby Goat Day at Doon Heritage Village! You’ll learn about goats and how their infamous ability to eat anything makes them such great environmental stewards. This event has timed-entry tickets, with start times at every half hour beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. 

Poyo Fest is a free fan-run celebration dedicated to everyone’s favourite pink hero, Kirby! Spend an afternoon at the Gaukel Block in Downtown Kitchener browsing art, stickers, handmade goods and Dreamland inspired creations from over 40 talented local artists. 

KWFamous is hosting Mom Fest from 11 to 4 pm at the KWFamous Creative Cafe (741 King St. W. - The Bright Building). They have free and VIP tickets available the day fest includes music from DJ Raevn, crafts, drinks, and shopping.

Head to TWB Brewing for Zendala, a mandala coaster workshop at 2pm. You’ll design and paint four coasters featuring two beautiful mandala designs. All supplies included. $50, includes a 12 oz draught or non-alc beverage.

TWB Brewing has the Together We're Boisterous Comedy Show this Saturday at 7 pm. The show brings the best local talent to the stage - where anything can happen, and the laughs don’t let up.

Back at the Union KW, Odd Whale Presents: The Terrible Twos at 6:30. It's an all ages show featuring Decimate, Soft Spot, Trapped In thought, and Catastrophic Hemorrhage.

It’s fight night in Kitchener at SydFit Health with Destiny Boxing’s Showdown. Catch some knockout amateur boxing matches featuring Destiny Boxing fighters. 

Nice people. Dancing. Good music. Get on the dance floor at the Revive Karaoke Backroom with sets from DJs Kasia, Attila the Spun, and Divvva from 9:30 to 2 am.

Sunday, May 10

KPL has a free family screening of Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) at 1:30 pm.

Shuh Orchards invites you to experience the apple orchard in a whole new way with Bloom Fest. Every spring, the orchard’s trees transform into a sea of flowers as they bloom. Over select weekends in May, Bloom Fest is your chance to see the change for yourself while enjoying wagon rides, food trucks and hard cider, a petting zoo, live music and more. 

Arabella Park Beer Bar and House of Kameleon want your moms to feel the fantasy at the Mother’s Day Drag Brunch. Celebrate the moms and mother figures in your life with vibrant drag acts and great vibes. 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a riverside high tea experience at Canoeing The Grand. Treat your mom to high tea with curated canapés, finger sandwiches, a guided nature walk, a canoe trip and a special gift to take home.  

Purrari Matcha is hosting the Matcha & Mini Blooms : Mother’s Day pop-up at 55 Duke St. in Kitchener. Tix include a matcha drink, DIY mini bouquet, games, and a Polaroid keepsake.

And back again at the Union KW, Death Crew Hardcore presents Out of Order with Out of Order, Hang The Landlord, Convikt, and BIRDHAND. Doors at 5, music at 6.

Monday, May 11

Cool Aunt Creative is hosting Resin & Pressed Florals DIY Bookmarks at Ernie's Cookhouse at 7 pm. Learn how to design and pour your own resin bookmarks using a selection of pressed flowers, botanical elements, pigments, and subtle decorative accents.

Ways to get involved.

Incredible drinks, great vibes, and a whole lot of tacos. That's right, the Wasterloo Region Tacofest is back for another year of great tacos and an important mission on Friday, June 19. Proceeds from the award-winning event support Community Support Connections, a local charity that works with hundreds of local volunteers to help over 7,000 seniors live happily and healthy in the comfort of their own homes. So set your reminders—tickets drop Tuesday, March 21 at noon, and they’re going to go fast!

What to read.

Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again too few not to mention. Some stories that got away. (Alex Bielak, Food For Thought)

Get the par-tea started at local tea rooms (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)