17 Nov 2025

Shovels or rakes? Who knows. Just go to one of these events.

Tryouts are done and we’ll find out who your Champions for Charity 2026 will be soon.

Editor’s note: Hello! We’re getting ready to celebrate 10 years of this newsletter in January and we’re making a change that you probably won’t notice. We’re changing the platform we use to send the newsletter from Substack to Ghost. It’s very nerdy, but it’ll help set up some awesome things for the next 10 years. If you have any questions, you can just reply here or DM on Instagram. As always, thank you for reading and sending in events!

What to do.

Tuesday, November 18

Does Canada need to rethink its national policy in the new world order? Poli-Sci professor Jörg Broschek tells a Third Age Learning Kitchener-Waterloo audience why Canada should. 1:30 p.m. at RIM Park.

Cool Aunt Creative has a Paper Flower Workshop at Metro Restaurant from 7 to 9 pm.

Allan Rayman (Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Ohana, Austin City Limits, and Osheaga) is coming to Maxwell’s Concerts & Events.

The environment around us has a powerful impact on our well-being. What are the benefits of spending time in nature? Find out at The Mind-Environment Connection: How Does Nature Affect Our Well-Being? at KPL Central Library at 7 pm.

The Princess Twin has Exhibition on Screen: Caravaggio at 6:45 pm.

Remix Swing has free beginner country swing dancing lessons at 8 pm at 92 King St. South (above The Works).

Wednesday, November 19

The Laurier Centre for the Study of Canada is hosting a film screening and panel discussion for Bridging Divides: Voices & Visions About Homelessness in Midsize Cities, a powerful documentary exploring new insights on homelessness and solutions to build safer, more inclusive communities. 7 pm at 232 King St. N., Waterloo or on Zoom.

Join Wilfrid Laurier University for “Mini Brains, Major Breakthroughs: What’s New in Neuroscience?” Laurier researchers will share the innovative new ways they are studying Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and other brain disorders - including by building mini brains! 11:30 am on Zoom.

Mick McAuley plays the Emmanuel Concert Series at 7 pm.

Ingested, OV Sulfur, and CELL play The Hub KW starting at 7, doors at 6 pm.

In for Questioning has Seinfeld trivia at AOK at 8 pm.

Thursday, November 20

Like LL said, don’t call it a comeback. The Kitchener‑Waterloo Symphony is back at Centre in the Square with the Grand Philharmonic Choir and vocal soloists Allyson McHardy and Lauren Margison with Mahler – Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Resurrection at 7:30 pm.

The Princess Cinema has a 100th Anniversary screening of Battleship Potemkin at 7 pm, featuring a live score from Projector Assembly.

The Rabbid Fox has arena anthems music bingo at 8 pm.

Evo Kitchen has Back to the 80s music bingo at 7 pm.

🎁 It’s the last weekend of St. Jacobs Sparkles! Each weekend features holiday festivities and entertainment for the whole family. We’ve seen photos from last weekend and it looks awesome.

Friday, November 21

Globe Studios is having its annual open house Art Show and sale on Friday Nov 21 4-9pm and Saturday Nov 22 10–4pm. The Corner Studio, a shared pottery studio within the Globe building, will also be open and having a Pottery Sale. A variety of styles of pots will be available for sale.

Just Live Pie is taking over Counterpoint Brewing for the day to serve you a plate full of comfort food... and dessert.

🎁 Celebrate the season at the Wonderfully Made Holiday Market, a two-day handmade and local shopping experience at Catalyst137 in Midtown. Browse unique, artisan-made gifts perfect for everyone on your list and feel good knowing you’re supporting local creators. Enjoy free admission, free parking, and free swag bags for the first 50 guests each day.

The 2025 CPKC Holiday Train will be stopping in Cambridge at 4:15PM and in Ayr at 5:30PM on Friday, November 21. The headline performer for both stops will be Smash Mouth with Kitchener’s own JJ Wilde. Aside from spreading holiday cheer, the CPKC Holiday Train’s main mission is to collect donations for local food banks. All donations stay in the communities where they were made.

When two boys get into a playground scuffle, their parents meet to resolve the matter like adults—at least, that’s the plan. As tensions rise and facades crumble, polite conversation gives way to chaos in God of Carnage, Yasmina Reza’s biting dark comedy translated by Christopher Hampton at the KW Little Theatre.

Keith Pedro (Roast Battle Canada, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Degrassi the Next Generation) headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm.

Good Co. Productions is back with another secret show! Where is it? It’s a secret. Who is performing? It’s a secret. When is it? 7 pm, not a secret.

Parabolus, the Complete Tool Experience, plays Maxwell’s at 7 pm.

🎁 St. Jacobs Market District opens at night for its Holiday Sip & Shop from 4 to 9 pm! Explore the market’s vendors in this licensed event featuring some of your favourite craft beer and spirits makers. Tickets are only $8.

Saturday, November 22

Phidon Pens is set to become a flagship store for Leuchtturm1917 and has a special event on Saturday starting at 10. First 20 customers can build their own Leuchtturm ballpoint pen.

What does the map of your community look like? What’s been left off? How would you like to change it? Join staff from the KPL Grace Schmidt Room of Local History to learn about countermapping, a radical form of mapping that challenges conventional understandings of space. 2 to 3 pm at the Central Library.

🎁 The Church of the Good Shepard has its Shepherd’s Market from 9 till noon at 116 Queen St N in Kitchener. Vendors range from home made yarn creations to soaps, lotions, 3d prints, dish towels, flowers, fresh homemade baked goods, and more!

🎁 Kwartzlab Makerspace has its annual holiday market from 11-4 featuring handmade gifts from 15+ local vendors. You can also visit the “Wrap it Up” station to make your own gift tags and cards! Check out the bake sale for delicious holiday treats with gluten-free and vegan options, and visit the Member’s Table to see what their members have been up to!

The Princess Cinema has a screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari featuring a live score at 2 pm.

The University Choir & Chamber Choir features the 60 voice University Choir, directed by Liska Jetchick. Catch their concert at St. Matthew’s Centre at 7:30 pm.

Prepare to be amazed at Wonderstruck, a mind-bending evening of magic and mystery starring Canada’s Got Talent finalist Savio Joseph. Wonderstruck blends illusion, storytelling, and audience interaction to create an unforgettable night where you don’t just watch the show, you become part of it.

Moonshine is playing the Edelweiss on Saturday night.

Sunday, November 23

Spiritus Ensemble presents A Candlelight Handel’s Messiah at 3 pm at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Kitchener.

The Orchestra@UWaterloo Fall 2025 Concert is this Sunday. Love Letters from Bohemia, directed by Daniel Warren, features members from all six faculties of the University. 9:30 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church. $10 general admission or $5 for students.

Anat is playing live at The Duke of Wellington from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.

Joe Dunn plays the Malt & Barley from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.

Monday, November 24

Unleash your creativity for a great cause at Paint Your Pet with the Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society! Create your own 12×16 portrait of your furry (or feathered!) friend. No art experience required. Each participant receives a custom traceable outline made from a photo of their pet, making it easy and fun for all skill levels.

Ciarán Myers has a staged reading of his new play, Sweet Mama, at 7 pm at Wing 404, Dutton Drive in Waterloo.

Ways to get involved.

Student artists from Waterloo Region Catholic, Public, and Independent schools are invited to submit work for Expressions 51: Forging a New Path. This unique opportunity amplifies youth and student voices through a one-of-a-kind community art exhibition at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery! Those interested in applying to show artworks in Expressions 51 should submit their registration and consent forms by email to Jude Akrey (expressions@kwag.on.ca) by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, 7 December.