Kitchener 
Things to do this Civic Day Long Weekend in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
Friday, August 4 – Monday, August 7, 2023
August long weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, hikes, live music, theatre & performing arts, and more!
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
THEPLAYGROUND
The exhibition brings back several of our permanent interactives families know and love, as well as some brand-new unique experiences. The space is modeled after a traditional playground and will include soundscapes and projections that will bring the outdoors inside. THEPLAYGROUND also features a new ficus tree, our picnic tables, projections of nature, a soundscape, and a geoterrace Presentation Stage for programming. Details
Tuesday – Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Wednesdays until 7:00 PM
THEMUSEUM, 10 King Street West Kitchener
Regular admission
Visit Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Experience 1000s of free-flying butterflies, and more, in our indoor tropical conservatory. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd, Cambridge
General Admission Day Pass (age 13-64): $20
Senior Day Pass (age 65+): $15
Child Day Pass (3 – 12): $10; Child (age 2 and under): Free
Ontario Pirate Festival
Come visit the pirate village of Dry Bluffs – a glorious day out for the whole family. There’s food and ale; merchants and crafters, and more entertainment than you can possibly imagine. Details
August 5 – 7, 2023
Marden Park, 7368 Wellington County Road 30, Guelph
$12 – $17, depending on age
Kadylack Farm Sunflower Walk
Come walk through our 16 acres of sunflowers. Experience the joy that a field of sunflowers brings to you while taking lots of photos.Come and enjoy the serenity of the sunflower field while supporting others. Details
July 28 – August 11, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
5572 Perth Line 72, Atwood
$10.00
Heritage Hopper
Join us and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions’ famous Mennonite farm country on our historic rail line that has been in service since the 1880s. Details
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, June 27 – August 29, 2023
Northfield, Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs Station
$19.99 – $39.99
Country Wagon Tour
An antique tractor and open-air people mover/wagon will take you through some of the region’s most beautiful farmland. Tour price includes Heritage Hopper Train Ticket. Passengers board the tour directly from the train at our Elmira Station. At the end of the tour passengers will immediately board the next train southbound for the ride back to Waterloo. Details
Sundays, August 5 – October 28, 2023 | 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM
Elmira Station, 155 Howard Avenue Elmira
$35.99 – $44.99
St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway
St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway is an O scale (¼”= 12″) model railway depicting Southern Ontario in the late 1950’s. All our models are hand built and represent both major Canadian railways, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific. Come watch our freight trains and passenger cars recreate the era of the great train journeys. Details
August 5 – 7, 2023
St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway, 1440 King Street North, St. Jacobs
$5 – $10
African Lion Safari Drive-thru
Guests can enjoy the drive-through Game Reserves in the comfort of their own vehicle. Get closer than you ever imagined to majestic species from around the world as you drive along 9 kilometres of the trail (approximately an hour to an hour and a half), home to over 1000 birds and animals. Details
Daily | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton
$22.95 – $48.95
Enjoy a Picnic in the Park
Parks around Kitchener-Waterloo Region are great spaces to enjoy a fun time together with your family. Fly kites, go cycling or hiking, or just enjoy the outdoors. Pack a picnic basket and make it a day out!
Any Park in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
For more ideas see:
II. Live Music
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
Take your pick from lunch hour concerts or evening concerts. Hear some of the best as well as upcoming talents on the music scene.
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
Castle Kilbride Summer Concert Series
Summer is best enjoyed outdoors! Every Thursday evening beginning July 7, from 7pm – 8pm, summer is celebrated at the Castle with an outdoor concert on the front lawn. Details
Thursdays, July 16 – August 31, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden
Admission is by donation
Music in the Park
Live performances from local groups at Waterloo Park Bandshell. Details
Sundays, June 11 – August 20, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Waterloo Park Bandshell, Waterloo Park Bandshell, 199 Father David Bauer Dr
Free
Summer Music Series featuring Dan Walsh
Canadian singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Dan Walsh will take over the TWB Brewing patio stage on Friday. Details
Friday, August 4, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Kitchener
pay what you can
III. Theatre/Performing Arts
2023 CatVideoFest
2023 CatVideoFest is an all-new compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses.
CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area. The 70-minute-reel of cat videos is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by anyone. Details
August 3, 6, 8, 2023
The Original Princess Cinema, 6 Princess St W, Waterloo
10% of all proceeds from these showings will go to the KWSP Humane Society.
Opera In The Park
Grand River Opera will present Opera in the Park on Sunday, August 6th. Details
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Waterloo Park Bandshell, 90 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo
No admission – donations appreciated.
Kinky Boots
“Step into a dream where glamour is extreme” with the international smash-hit musical Kinky Boots! Winner of six Tony® Awards, London’s Olivier Award, and a Grammy®, this huge-hearted, high-heeled hit features a sensational score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Details
August 3 – 20, 2023
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, 46 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge
$34 – $55
Perfect Wedding
Take a walk down the aisle and say “I DO!” to a bridal suite spectacle that is equal parts riotous comedy and touching love story. Details
July 19 – August 27, 2023
St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, 11 Albert St. W, St. Jacobs
$35 – $55
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
By turns dazzling, explosive, and electrifying, Joseph is truly a technicolor triumph! Details
July 12 – August 5, 2023
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 40 Benjamin Rd. E., Waterloo
$34 – $55
Together We’re Boisterous Comedy Show
Pinch Cabaret will be back at TWB for another raucous evening of Stand-Up, Sketch Comedy, Improv & Drag. 19+. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | Doors at 6:30 PM
TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Kitchener
$11/$22/$33
Drive-in Movies
What better way to spend an enjoyable time with family than to watch a movie under the stars?
Various dates
IV. Sports/Fitness
Kitchener Panthers
Catch exciting Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) action and cheer on the Panthers! Details
vs. Welland Jackfish on Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 2:00 PM
Jack Couch Park, Eugene George Way, Kitchener
$10 and up
Party at the Putt
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday join us for PARTY AT THE PUTT Late night Mini Golfing under patio lights. Last tee time extended to 10pm On Thursday nights dance away to live DJ’s spinning the tunes! Details
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Bingemans Mini Golf, Kitchener
Tee times must be booked in advance online
Yoga With Alpacas
Let the soft hum of alpacas, the warm light breeze and the melody of bird songs envelop you in a zen to wash away the stress of todays world. Details
Sunday, August 6, 2023 | 9:00 AM
Brae Ridge Farm & Sanctuary, 7667 Maltby Rd E, Puslinch
$50
BTC 21 – Fight Night in Kitchener
This summer showcase will feature the best martial artists from around Canada and the world. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 6:00 PM
The Aud, 400 East Ave., Kitchener
$29.99 – $1,249.90 (plus applicable fees and charges)
Go Golfing
Golf courses across Kitchener-Waterloo region are open. Book a tee time!
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
There are plenty of opportunities across the Kitchener-Waterloo Region to enjoy nature. Go cycling and explore Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo.
Enjoy a leisurely walk with the family at any of these locations:
- 25 Nature Attractions & Parks in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
- 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 100 Adventures in Ontario Provincial Parks
- 25 Waterfalls to Visit Near Toronto
- 50 Nature Attractions & Hotspots in and around GTA
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Saturday Morning at the City of Waterloo Museum
Wake up with us Saturday morning between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. with a NEW program. This family friendly casual drop-in will have activities centred on our current exhibition Cipher|Decipher. So pack up the family and join us for some free fun each Saturday morning this summer. Geared towards families with children 3 years of age and up, but all are welcome. Details
Saturday, August 5, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
550 King Street North, Waterloo
Free
Art in the Park
This summer KWAG will be installing a mini gallery in the Sculpture Garden! At Art in the Park, community members are invited to paint mini canvases, which we will display in the mini gallery. Stop by the Sculpture Garden to take a piece of art and, if you want to, add a piece of your own art! Details
Saturday, August 5, 10, 12, 30, 2023
Various locations in Kitchener
Free
Horse Guided Mindfulness
Do you long for peace and quiet? Do you want to still your mind and reduce stress and anxiety? Would you like to immerse yourself in nature? Come and join us for Horse-Guided Mindfulness. During our one-hour session, you will be guided within as we connect with ourselves and our herd, Sequoia and Phoebe. As you are guided through this heart-centered mindfulness, with horses around you, your inner peace and calm will be restored. Details
Thursday and Sunday, June 22 – September 7, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Brae Ridge Farm & Sanctuary, 7667 Maltby Road East, Guelph
$20
Ontario Weekend Tree Farm Experience
Experience a rural Ontario Christmas tree and maple syrup farm during the growing season, close to the GTA in a relaxed setting. Enjoy the fresh air, explore the farm trails, take pictures, and pack a picnic lunch. Details
Saturdays and Sundays, April 29 – September 3, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Elliott Tree Farm, 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillsburgh
$30 to $40 per vehicle
Summer Open Days at the DSC
Come out and experience the DSC! Details
Sundays, May 28 – August 27, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, 6981 Concession 4, Puslinch
$0 – $20
Uptown Waterloo Night Market
Explore local treats, entertainment from local musicians and variety performers, programming from WPL and SO much more! Details
Thursdays, July – August 2023 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Upper parking lot at the Waterloo Public Library (Main Branch)
Free
Guided Tours of The DSC
Come out for a guided tour of the DSC! Details
Monday & Friday, May 26 – October 30, 2023 | 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, 6981 Concession 4, Puslinch
$182.02 for a group of eight
Cambridge Farmers’ Market
The Cambridge Farmers’ Market is our community food hub. It is where residents gather, talk about food and community happenings. Farmers Markets are a place of: Excitement and anticipation around food Centres of commerce and socializing A venue for combining old with new A place for new ideas to be explored. Details
Saturdays, Year-round | 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cambridge Farmers’ Market, 40 Dickson St, Cambridge
Free
Saturday Farmer’s Market
For more than 150 years, Kitchener residents have come together at our Saturday farmers’ market. Visitors are able to pick up their weekly groceries or weekend meals, including meat, produce, dairy and specialty items. Many Saturdays also host live music and other family-friendly events. Details
Saturdays | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kitchener Farmer’s Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener
Free
Preston Towne Market
Farm produce, baked goods, artisans, musicians and so much more. Come down with the family for dinner, enjoy the splash pad, play in the park, shop local vendors and the bustling downtown Preston businesses. Details
Thursdays, June 1 – September 28, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Central Park, Cambridge
Free
Go Fishing
You can cast a line and reel in that big catch at Ontario Provincial Parks.
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.
The details link for the civic holiday train ride K W area takes one to the Hamilton region events.
It would have been nice if someone could have confirmed which days of the week the events will take place in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.