What to do.

Tuesday, December 9

Kitchener Public Library has its 19th Annual Amateur Photography Contest Awards Ceremony starting at 7 pm.

Sentimental Value won the 2025 Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix and now you can see it at The Princess Cinema at 9:15 pm.

The Malt & Barley has trivia from 7 to 9 pm.

Wednesday, December 10

Hey independent marketing people, join Nelson Mori & Carla Harris for Accelerating Client Growth in 2026 at Catalyst Commons from 5 to 6 pm. You’ll learn what business clients expect from their marketing teams and how to position yourself as an indispensable growth ally, not just a vendor.

Rusty Nail Comedy will take your $5 for a night of pro and amateur comedy at TWH Social.

KPL is hosting Lit and Wit: A Novel Trivia Night! at the Central Library at 7 pm. Compete by yourself or as a team of up to 6 people for a chance to show your literary skills and win a prize!

In For Questioning Trivia has Bob's Burger Trivia at AOK Craft Beer + Arcade at 8 pm.

Astronomy on Tap: Kitchener-Waterloo is back at the Crazy Canuck DTK with Ana Ennis describing the journey from the first telescopes, to the modern state-of-the-art space observatories, followed by Cam Morgan talking about Canada's involvement in future astronomy missions, and what they hope these will tell us about our Universe.

Evo Kitchen and Bar has trivia starting at 7 pm. You need to call in advance to book your team in.

Thursday, December 11

Revive Karaoke Bar and Thursday are collaborating to host a Holiday Ugly Sweater Party for singles on Dec 11. There will be an ugly sweater contest, winter trivia, and karaoke.

Loud Library Readings is taking over Whoopsie Daisy Drinks featuring live readings from up-and-coming local writers!

The Branches are hosting a special Yoga event at KWAG. Practice yoga alongside a specially selected artwork from the Gallery's Permanent Collection and close the session with a short period of rest, relaxation and tea. KWAG’s exhibitions will be open to participants to visit before and after the class.

Centre In The Square and Glatz Concerts present a magical holiday experience with Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert. Watch the complete film as the musical score is performed live! Join Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Michael Caine as the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge, and Gonzo as Charles Dickens in this beloved retelling of the classic holiday tale. Shows on Friday and Saturday!

Friday, December 12

Grand River Opera returns to TWB Brewing for an evening of Christmas Carols and other seasonal favourites with Hops & High Notes: Christmas Carols at the Brewery at 7 pm.

Christophe Davidson (SiriusXM, CBC Radio One’s ‘Laugh Out Loud’, Winnipeg Comedy festival’s ‘Punching Up’ Gala) headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social starting at 8 pm. If you miss the show, catch him on Saturday, same time, same spot.

Lowest of the Low plays Maxwell's. Doors at 7:30, music at 8.

Grab a pint at the bar at The Duke of Wellington and enjoy the music of Dan Walsh from 8 to 11 pm.

The Brant Station Trio plays The Rabbid Fox live starting at 7:30 pm.

Phil with no Skill has One Hit Wonders Music Bingo at Rurual Roots Brewery from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

Saturday, December 13

Hiro and Little Magic Stories are hosting Magic in the Making: A free family fun celebration at KPL. It's an accessible, free, family-friendly celebration with games, prizes, crafts and more.

A night of intrigue awaits at Murder, Mystery, Dinner & Mayhem at EVO! Secrets, suspects, and a shocking crime unfold right in the room with you during this live, three-act murder mystery. Enjoy a full three-course dinner while you follow clues, grill suspects, and try to crack the case before the final reveal.  

The holidays aren’t all merry and bright! Head to the Schneider Haus National Historic Site for the Ghosts of Christmas Past and explore dark and ominous figures from holiday’s past on a candlelit tour of the historic Schneider Haus. This event is suitable for those 16 and up. See you there, if you dare! 

Counterpoint Brewing is hosting STOUTerDAY from 12 to 8 pm. They'll have their brews, plus eight guest taps from Third Moon, Bellwoods and Blood Brothers. That's not all, there's also a hot dog bar, which someone should tell Robin about.

David Green (Garden City Comedyfest) headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at The Falls Road Pub on Victoria St. starting at 7:30 pm.

Destiny Boxing present the Christmas Crunch Fight Night and Food Drive at SydFit (180 St Leger St.). Ring in the season with a night of high-energy amateur boxing featuring your favourite Destiny boxers.

Midnight Run Cafe has a Gingerbread House Decorating Competition at 7 pm. $60 entry for a team of two includes a starter kit and complimentary drink.

Feral Minks play The Hub. Doors at 8, show at 9, 19+.

Maxwell's is the place for to be for the Stoplight Saturday: 30+ Dance Party. Whether you're single and ready to mingle or just there to dance, you can hit dance floor as DJ Rob Da Selekta spins the ultimate 80s, 90s, and 2000s party mix.

Farm League Brewing has a Comedy Night featuring friend of the newsletter Eric Pillwein, Joey Harlem, Jeremy Dobski, and hosted by Tige Wright.

Indulge in a laugh and a beer at the last TOGETHER WE'RE BOISTEROUS - Comedy Show of 2025! At TWB Brewing Co-op, featuring stand up, improv, & sketch comedy! Sliding scale tickets, $11-$33. Sat Dec 13th, 7pm.

Sunday, December 14

Short Finger Brewing is hosting a free screening of Cathy van Ingen's What Ales Us. The documentary explores sexual harassment in the beer industry and what happens to two women who start a movement to change it. Q&A with the always awesome Ren Navarro follows the screening. They're raising funds for Women Crisis Services, too.

KPL has a free screening of Bad Guys 2 at 1:30 pm at the Central Branch. 

Come out and support the best local Indigenous creatives this holiday season at the Holiday Indigenous Art Market. The market will also be offering a giveaway to 3 special guests, both days! You could win prints, jewelry, stickers, and more.

Help brighten the night at the The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life's community Chanukah menorah lightings. These inclusive events invite people of all backgrounds to enjoy holiday songs, traditional treats, and a message of hope and light. Sunday, Dec. 14 at Waterloo Town Square and Monday, Dec. 15 at Cambridge City Hall.

Cool Aunt Creative has a Clay Ornament Workshop at Metro Restaurant from 1 to 3 pm.

Join the Sonic Uke Ensemble at the Jazz Room in Waterloo for "Christmas on Christmas Island", Sunday December 14th 4:00-7:00 PM. All proceeds from ticket sales donated to Tiny Home Takeaway.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the magic of Christmas in the heart of the District with a free outdoor screening of the movie Elf. Don’t miss out on a perfect pairing with Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus happening nearby at Foundry Tavern from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, promising great food, family fun, and a little Christmas magic. 

The Soundcheck Experiment returns to the Union KW for its second edition with an electrifying, one-night-only concert that blurs the lines between genres, invites creative risk-taking, and spotlights emerging musicians from Waterloo Region. Co-produced by Sam Nabi and Roshan James, The Soundcheck Experiment is an evening of collaboration and improvisation featuring Braeden Etienne, Danni Tess, and Isy Aboagye.

Monday, December 15

Join Green Light Arts & Friends for a joyful, cabaret-style evening of music, laughter, and storytelling at the Green Light Arts & Friends: A Holiday Cabaret. It's super casual, ugly sweater, eggnog-filled, fundraising night of local acts at the Conrad Centre to help celebrate community togetherness and raise funds for its Feb/March 2026 production of The Neighbours.

The Princess Cinema has a screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at 7 pm.

Miss your keyboard? Check out Bring Back BlackBerry Phones - Waterloo Edition at Proof Kitchen + Lounge with CrackBerry Kevin and the Clicks team.

Ways to get involved.

A Better Tent City is auctioning off 20 unique tiny house tea light lanterns to raise funding for their art therapy programming. Each lantern was handmade by A Better Tent City resident and are currently on display in Beyond The Threshold at The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, an exhibit showcasing 18 artists with lived experience of homelessness. All proceeds from the silent auction will continue to light hope, foster creativity, and contribute to the wellbeing of A Better Tent City residents through art therapy programming with Tiny City Makers. Auction runs Dec 8 at 8am to Dec 15 at 9pm.

Did you know you can order your Cafe Pyrus treats and coffee before you arrive at the DTK or Roger St. locations? Now you do.

What to read.

Gift Wrap Impact: The Waterloo Region Social Good Holiday Gift Guide (Christine Clutton, The Community Company)

Trust your butcher (Alex Bielak, Food For Thought)

University students share how to eat healthy while staying on budget (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)

WR Releases Budget for 2026 (sangjunhan, The Community Edition)

Ride on: Biking Through the Winter (Alex Kinsella, The Community Edition)