Kitchener-Waterloo Region has a wide variety of events, festivals as well as outdoor activities, to do during the cold season. From trail walking, tobogganing & skating, to shopping at an outdoor farmers’ market & taking in the sights aboard a steam locomotive, here is a list of activities that has something for everyone.
Winter Fun in Kitchener-Waterloo Region: Events, Festivals and Outdoor Adventures
Events & Festivals
Skate Night Date Night
Wednesdays in January and February | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Waterloo Public Square Ice Rink, 75 King St S, Waterloo
Black and Free: New Art
Join THEMUSEUM on select Wednesdays in January to experience this exhibition that explores the multifaceted experiences of Blackness and freedom through historical and contemporary lenses. Details
Wednesdays in January 2024
TheMuseum, 10 King St W, Kitchener
TriCon KW 2024
Immerse yourself in all things pop culture, sci-fi, comics, anime, visual art, digital technology, interactive tech-art, and more at TriCon KW 2024. Details
January 20 & 21, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
THEMUSEUM, 10 King Street West, Kitchener
January 2024 Ceili
This will be the First Ceili of 2024. . The event will feature The Grand River Ceili Band playing live, with a caller to guide participants through the dances. Embrace the joy of Irish folk dance and enjoy a fun-filled night of dancing and celebration. Details
Saturday, January 20, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Victoria Park Pavilion, 80 Schneider Ave, Kitchener
Winterloo
Celebrate all things winter in Uptown Waterloo. This annual winter festival has a host of free activities that all ages can enjoy. Activities will include meeting the snow dogs, ice carving, snow sculptures, winter activities and much more! Details
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M
Waterloo Park – Central Promenade & Other Venues
The Brush Off
At this original and premier live art-making event, guests will watch artists compete in an art competition while enjoying drinks, voting for their favorites, and bidding in a silent auction. Details
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | Doors 6:45 PM
TheMuseum, 10 King St W, Kitchener
Goderich Winterfest
Beat the “winter blahs” with lots of fun events for all – candlelight walk, chili cook-off, snow-pitch tournament, children’s theatre, crafts, fireworks. Details
February 2 – 4, 2024
Various Venues, Goderich
Erratic Behaviour
Erratic Behaviour brings together artists that embrace a more fluid boundary between the human and non-human with geologic entities positioned as significant relations within an entangled web of matter and beings. The dual meaning of the exhibition’s title suggests that humans themselves are exhibiting the most ‘erratic behaviour’ of all—the industrial extraction, processing, consumption and disposal of natural resources has produced turbulent and unstable conditions. Details
January 27 – April 21, 2024
Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. North, Kitchener
Murder Mystery Dinner Show “Valentine’s Day Masseur”
Enjoy a captivating evening filled with mystery, delicious dinner, and dessert while actively participating in solving the case. Details
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
On the grounds of African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge
Footloose the Musical
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the St. Jacobs stage, starring students from Waterloo Region in the sophomore Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical Production. Details
February 14 – 25, 2024
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 40 Benjamin Rd. E., Waterloo
Mayor’s Winter Levee
Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
City Hall, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge
Woodstock Toy and Collectibles Expo
Join the Woodstock Toy and Collectibles Expo on Family Day for a special event featuring over 200 vendor tables offering a wide range of old and new collectibles, including comics, retro video games, action figures, vinyl records, sports memorabilia, and more. Details
Monday, February 19, 2024 | 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Oxford Auditorium and the Mutual/Market Buildings, on the Woodstock Fairgrounds, at 875 Nellis Street in Woodstock
Coldest Night of the Year
The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Details
Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 4:00 PM
Various locations
Valentine’s Day Dinner with Chef Rob
On Valentine’s Day, treat your sweetheart to a romantic dinner, beer pairings and charcuterie made with local meats and cheeses. Chef Rob will prepare a multi-course meal for you to enjoy a special evening with your loved one. Details
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener
North, South, East, West
Embark on a musical journey of discovery as you meet composers from diverse corners of the world, offering a unique sense of place through their choral compositions, spanning from Brazil to the Canadian sub-Arctic to Malaysia. Enjoy selections of their music by Tracy Wong, Saunder Choi, Carmen Braden, Ernani Aguiar, and Osvaldo Golijov. Details
March 2, 2024 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener
Tales of Grimm
Wellington Wind Symphony will be playing an enchanting evening of music inspired by Grimm fairy tales, including the Canadian Premiere of Bruce Broughton’s “Grimm Tales” and other atmospheric compositions that will transport you into the magical world of myths and legends. Details
Sunday, March 3, 2024 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo
Kitchener I❤︎BEER & Taco Festival
Enjoy a fun filled day or night of beer, cider and spirits sampling, games, dancing and tacos! Details
March 8 & 9, 2024
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
Tommy Youngsteen Performs Fleetwood Mac “Rumours”
Tommy Youngsteen is a premier North American tribute act known for featuring members and alumni from Juno-winning Canadian acts, including The Sam Roberts Band, The Stills, Stars, The Dears, The Trews, Sloan, Serena Ryder Band, and the Arkells. The evening’s program will include a captivating cover performance of Fleetwood Mac’s legendary 1977 album “Rumours” along with a selection of their greatest hits. Details
Saturday, March 9, 2024 | 7:00 PM
TheMuseum, 10 King St W, Kitchener
Mini Pop Kids
Experience the high-energy GOOD VIBES TOUR by Mini Pop Kids, a jam-packed concert with songs from top artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa, along with nostalgic favorites for all ages. Join in for a family-friendly show that’s not to be missed, featuring Canada’s best-selling music group for kids and adults alike! Details
Saturday, March 16, 2024 | 3:00 PM
Centre in the Square, 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener
Attractions & Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Skating and Tobogganing Hills
- The city of Kitchener operates 30+ free outdoor skating rinks that are open from December till March. Rinks are operated by volunteers and are weather dependant.
- Opened in 1896 and named after Queen Victoria in honour of her diamond jubilee, Victoria Park is a favourite destination amongst couples to take a romantic walk around the lake, visit the clock tower relocated to the park from the original city hall, and go skating hand-in-hand at the parks’ outdoor rink. Learn more about this historic part of town with a free self-guided walking tour available from the city of Kitchener.
- McLennan Park, located on the South end of Kitchener has one of the best tobogganing hills in KW. Known by locals as Mt. Trashmore, this former landfill site is now a scenic vantage point to take in a sunset and a view of the entire city. A couple of other tobogganing options include Foxglove Park and Hillside Park.
- Waterloo Public Square is a popular date night destination in Uptown Waterloo. The city’s largest Christmas tree, an outdoor skating rink and the many coffee shops and restaurants in this area keep it buzzing all winter long. Enjoy a romantic evening of skating, live music and food at the popular Skate Night, Date Night, every Wednesday in January and February from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- A short walk from Waterloo Public Square, the Waterloo Park offers lots to see and do. Stop by outdoor Eby Farm to see some llamas and alpacas, visit the oldest log house school in Waterloo Region, circa 1820 or stroll along the wooden boardwalk and enjoy the holidays lights.
Experience an Adrenalin Rush
- Chicopee ski hill draws in skiers and snowboarders from all over Southern Ontario. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, there is a hill here with your name on it. And when you are done for the day, enjoy a relaxing après ski bite or drink by a cozy fireplace at the Silvertip Lounge.
- If skiing or snowboarding is not for you, why not give snow tubing a shot?! Located on the other side of the ski hill, Chicopee Tube Park is a popular destination amongst youngsters and adults alike. Zip down one of the six chutes and ride the magic carpet back to the top.
Winter Fun at Grand River Conservation Parks
Credit: Grand River Conservation Authority
- Located in North Waterloo, Laurel Creek is part of Grand River Conservation Authority. Their 4.5 km groomed and tracked pine forest trail network is ideal for hiking, snowshoeing and bird watching. Equipment rental is available on site.
- Belwood Lake Conservation Area, located in the town of Fergus, features a 12km reservoir created during the construction of the Shand Dam in 1942 and is ideal spot for ice fishing, hiking and bird watching.
- Another Grand River Conservation Authority area worth mentioning is Pinehurst Lake. In addition to ploughed hiking trails, groomed and tracked cross country skiing trails, snowshoeing trails, this conservation area offers ice fishing and bird watching. Equipment rental is also available on site.
- South of Kitchener, Shade’s Mill Conservation Area offers the longest trail network of all Grand River Conservation Authority winter trails. The 10km groomed and tracked trail network is ideal for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and bird watching. Ice fishing is available on the reservoir when conditions are suitable. Day use of fish huts is allowed and skiing and snowshoeing equipment rentals are also available.
- A little less known Grand River Conservation Area is Snyders Flats. It’s a former gravel pit that’s been transformed into a looped hiking trail with ponds, forests and meadows.
More Hiking Trails
- An oasis in a busy metropolis, Huron Natural Area is a network of scenic hiking trails, running along provincially significant wetlands, forests, and meadows. While this area is undergoing a transformation to make it a space that represents past and present Indigenous communities, it is also ideal for winter biking, bird watching or simply having a play date at the children’s natural playscape.
- The Kiwanis Park is a great starting point for a hike along the scenic Grand River and if you have a four legged friend with you, there is also a leash-fee dog park on-site.
- On the outskirts of Kitchener, the trails belonging to the RARE Charitable Research Reserve are a hiker’s paradise. Winding through the forests and moss covered stone formations; the trails converge for a stretch along the Grand River. This conservation area is used to preserve the native plant and animal species and is a popular spot for bird watching.
Explore Culture and History
- Go back in time and experience an authentic steam engine locomotive ride at Waterloo Central Railway. The non-profit heritage short line railway operates between Northfield Dr., Waterloo, the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, the Village of St. Jacobs, and the town of Elmira. A variety of themed train excursions are offered throughout the year.
- Open every Thursday and Saturday all year round the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is a great place to shop for fresh produce, indulge your sweet tooth with a famous apple fritter, and meet some Old Order Mennonites who still travel to the market by horse and buggy. Explore the Market Building, the Peddlers Village and the Market Tent for locally grown or freshly made eats or browse through hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans.
- From “The Log Cabin”, located at the entrance to the St. Jacob’s market, take a horse drawn trolley ride offered by the St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours. Visit a Maple Sugar Bush or ride through the nearby Mennonite Farm during this unique and educational experience. Winter Sleigh Rides and private tours are also available.
- Originally built in 1885 and restored in 2015, The Old Post Office is one of the many architectural marvels in the Historic Downtown Cambridge. Located just a short drive from Kitchener, this area is popular amongst film makers and wedding photographers, who like use the historic buildings and the bridge over the Grand River as their backdrop. Watch visual effects transform the Old Post Office every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night during winter nights.
- Another popular film backdrop is the West Montrose Covered Bridge. Located in the nearby Township of Woolwich, this 19th century bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It spans the Grand River and has been designated as a cultural heritage site in 2007.
- In the heart of Kitchener, you’ll find the childhood home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s tenth, and longest-serving Prime Minister. There is an admission fee to visit the museum inside, but access to the grounds and the trails around Woodside National Historic Site is absolutely free.
- Kitchener Farmers’ Market is open on Saturday’s year round. There are activities for children and classes for adults, plus lots of fresh produce, mouth-watering desserts and delicious smelling gourmet coffee.
- The Waterloo Pioneers Memorial Tower is a tribute to the Pennsylvania-German pioneers who settled in Waterloo Region in the early 1800s. Overlooking the Grand River, the tower is a good access point to the Walter Bean Trail.
- On the other side of the Grand River, the Walter Bean Trail continues through the Old Mill Ruins. Considered haunted by some, this site represents the conflict between the Six Nations of Grand River who originally occupied this land and the German-Dutch settlers who began to harnessed the water power of the Grand River in the 1800s and build the many mills, whose foundations are still scattered along the mighty river.
- Part of the Trans Canada Trail, the Iron Horse Trail connects the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo along the former railway corridor. While you walk or cycle along this paved trail, you’ll come across industrial artifacts from KW’s industrial heritage and pass through popular destinations like Victoria Park and Waterloo Park.
- See drive-thru light show at Bingemans. Gift of Lights is a family-friendly drive-thru holiday light display with two tunnels and over 300 animated and static light displays! Enjoy this holiday spectacle from inside the comfort of your own vehicle and tune into Gift of Lights Radio at 103.3FM.
- Get out your fishing gear and auger then head to Pinehurst Lake to catch lunch. You can easily snag bluegill or black crappie during the winter months.