What to do.

Tuesday, December 5

BeccaHosts hosts (very meta) the Duke It Out Trivia League at the Duke of Wellington Pub starting at 7 p.m.

Experience a night at The Aud like no other at the Rangers Teddy Bear Toss! Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to the game (featuring Highway 7 rivals the Guelph Storm) that will be thrown onto the ice immediately following the Rangers’ first goal! All the bears will be collected and turned over to local charitable organizations just in time for the holidays.

The Walper Hotel has a Wreath Making Workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Learn step by step how to bind your own wreath and take it home to display for the season!

Wednesday, December 6

The Monowhales return to Kitchener for their Who’s There to Hear Me Out Tour 2023, with very special guests Living Room for Small.

It’s TWB Brewing’s last Euchre Night of 2023. There’ll be a special prize to cap off the year! $7 per person includes a 12 oz beer.

CFUW K-W is holding a December 6 Vigil to remember the victims of the École Polytechnique de Montréal attack and mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The vigil will take place on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Columba Anglican Church, 250 Lincoln Road in Waterloo.

Thursday, December 7

Downtown Kitchener’s annual holiday market returns from December 7 to 10 at Kitchener City Hall and along King St. The Christkindl Market has over 80 vendors selling traditional handcrafted items, Christmas décor, handmade gifts, baked goods, sweets and more. This event recreates the sights, sounds, smells and spirit of the traditional Christmas festivals found across Germany, and is sure to become a holiday tradition for your family!

Check out Crafts On Tap: Cookie Decorating with CS Bakes Goods at TWB Brewing. Take your holiday cookie decorating skills up a notch with CS Baked Goods. $45 per person includes all workshop materials and a 12 oz beer or non-alcoholic beverage.

Tease the Season- A Holiday Burlesque and Drag Show will be on at the Jazz Room starting at 7 p.m.

Happy 7th birthday, Arabella Park Beer Bar!

Friday, December 8

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s annual Sounds of the Season campaign in support of the FoodBank of Waterloo Region kicks off with a live radio special broadcast event from THEMUSEUM. The broadcast features live music from Kitchener’s own JP Sunga, the accordion stylings of Rick Guzik, and performances by the students of Eastwood Collegiate.

Explore the new Gaslight District during its Gaslight Christmas Markets every weekend in December. The District Square comes alive with the spirit of the season, with vendors and makers who have something for everyone on your list. Plus—Santa will be at there every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.

The debate on who is the best British rock band of all time will never be answered (it’s Oasis), but that doesn’t mean you can’t put your British musical trivia knowledge to work. Check out British Invasion Music Bingo at Rural Roots with BeccaHosts at 7:30 p.m.

The absolutely amazing Ashwyn Singh headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at the Crazy Canuck DTK starting at 7:30 p.m.

B.A Johnston is coming to Dive Bar on Friday, Dec 8. Tickets are $20 at the door, doors at 7:00 p.m.

My Pet Skeleton present's the ugly brother to Kitcheners famous Chriskindl Market... Welcome to Krampuskindl ~ a counter culture art market! This two-day event happens at 44 Gaukel and features unique gifts, giant pagan sculptures, the Beasting Beastagon, odd Christmas ornaments, and more.

Saturday, December 9

The University of Waterloo Art Gallery is hosting a closing reception for Shelter II the largest beadwork sculpture in the world, hand-woven by Waterloo-based artist Sharl G. Smith, on Dec. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Put on your yarmulke, here comes the Waterloo Public Library’s Hanukkah Craft workshop. Head to any WPL branch from open to close to make your special Hanukkah craft. The Eastside Branch has a Hanukkah Storytime event from 11 to 12 p.m., too.

On December 9 and 10, shop local at the annual Cambridge Christmas Market in front of Cambridge City Hall. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Willy Melt will be wandering the market on Saturday and Sunday, too!

Drop into KPL’s Central Branch and make your own cozy snowman decoration from 2 to 3 p.m. You’ll use wool to wrap up your snowy creation and add your own snowy touches.

If you love punk rock and wrestling, then do we have an event for you. The KW Punk Rock Flea Market and Slobberknocker Vol. II is taking over Elements Night Club in Downtown Kitchener. The event includes a mix of up-and-coming punk bands like Bad Egg and Wedge with intermissions featuring live wrestling.

Pinch Cabaret is bringing its Together We're Boisterous Comedy Show back to TWB for another evening of improv, stand up comedy, and drag.

Sunday, December 10

KPL Central Branch has a free Fall Family Movie screening of Haunted Mansion (2023) at 1:30 p.m.

Laurier Wellbeing in Film Forum presents Latcho Drom, a documentary with no dialogue - only captivating folk performances by Romani people living in India, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, France and Spain. Tony Gatlif, a Romani filmmaker, made the film to trace the migration of this community from India to Spain. Through the lyrics and mood of the performances, we can learn more about the adversities they face, and how culture and camaraderie have helped to strengthen this community. 6:30 p.m. at Lazaridis Hall.

Monday, December 11

Rusty Nail Comedy makes its way to 4Fathers Brewery with headliner Dom Paré at 7:30 p.m.

Waterloo Public Library is hosting a Winter Cheer Card Station at all its branches from 9:30 to close. Design your own cards this winter season to send a loving message to your favourite people.

Ways to get involved.

MT Space is having an online auction in support of its Majdi Bou-Matar Artist Bursary, an annual bursary that is dedicated to offering financial support and mentorship from MT Space to a newcomer, immigrant, or emerging artist each year. Check out the items and bid on your favourites for a good cause.

That’s my friend Lara (in blue) at the Champions for Charity boxing event in 2019. In 2024, I’ll be training for 15 weeks to step into the ring on April 12 to raise money to support the amazing work of McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation. Learn more about the event here.

What to read.

Cheers to These Holiday Cocktails & Mocktails (Andrew Coppolino for Explore Waterloo)

From Mounts Olympus to Trashmore (Alex Bielak in Food For Thought)

ION to maintain minimum 15-minute frequency (Bill Jackson in The Record)

Death of Morty Taylor sparks tributes to chicken wings — and so much more (Joel Rubinoff in The Record)