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From corn mazes to fabulous fall festivals, there are plenty of ways to celebrate fall in KW Region. Check out this list of 40+ activities you can do in Kitchener – Waterloo Region.
1. Events and Festivals
Lumen Festival
The City of Waterloo’s Lumen festival bridges art, tech and light to create amazing interactive art installations. The festival is held on September 20th from 6 pm to 11 pm and is free to attend.
Doors Open Waterloo Region
Doors Open Waterloo Region creates meaningful qualitative experiences, delivered through storytelling, in celebration of our diverse community culture, heritage, and architecture. On this day of the discovery tour, 20+ local destinations, including noteworthy buildings, interesting places & heritage sites. September 20, 2025
Royal Medieval Faire
The Royal Medieval Faire brings the magical Kingdom of Mearth alive in Waterloo Park! The epic fun filled-day for the whole family includes storytelling, swordplay, games, vendors, music, dancing, food & beverages, costumes & decorations, plus much more. Join us for an epic fun day for the whole family! September 20, 2025
Fall Heritage Tea Ride
Enjoy a scenic fall train ride with tea, scones, desserts, and sandwiches as you take in the vibrant landscapes. This perfect blend of autumn beauty and nostalgic charm happens on September 28 & October 5, 2025.
Fun-Filled Fall Family Fiesta
Enjoy an awesome day of games, crafts, treats, and more at McDougall Cottage’s Fun-Filled Fall Family Fiesta as we celebrate our favourite season with fall frolics and Halloween hilarity! October 18, 2025.
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Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival
Enjoy a full day of family fun with a pancake breakfast, craft market, antique car show, horseshoe tournament, kids’ activities, live music, cider tastings, and delicious snacks. The Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival is on September 27, 2025.
GOATFEST – Hot Sauce & Craft Beer Festival
Join the ultimate hot sauce and craft beer festival during K-W Oktoberfest! Featuring 30+ hot sauce makers, local breweries, food trucks, live music, spicy challenges, family fun, and a night party with The 99’s. October 4, 2025
Flavours of Fall, Tea by the Grand
Enjoy a special Tea by the Grand, that celebrates the fall flavours we love most (apple or pumpkin anyone?). Happens September 28, 2025
TriFright
TriFright
TriFright combines a convention, vendor fair, and speaker event into one weekend that immerses guests in all things creepy, spooky, odd, and scary! It is the ultimate Halloween and horror-themed mini convention for fans of fright! October 4 – 5, 2025
Gluten Free Fest
Join us at the Gluten-Free Fest for a day of delicious gluten-free treats, local vendors, and the latest trends in gluten-free living! Perfect for anyone with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those curious about the lifestyle. September 28, 2025
THEMUSEUM’s 22nd Birthday Party
Celebrate THEMUSEUM’s 22nd Birthday with reduced admissions and celebrations in honour of the new exhibition, KALEIDOSCOPE. All day activities include treats and drinks in THELOUNGE, a special birthday-themed Creation Station, and face painting. September 28, 2025
KW Central Art Walk
Explore local art in Kitchener’s midtown with studio tours and an art sale featuring fine art, jewelry, pottery, and more. Enjoy free canvas painting at WALES for a community mural! October 4 – 5, 2025
Oktoberfest
Don your Tracht, raise a stein, polka around, and enjoy delicious Bavarian cuisine from German Clubs and local restaurant partners! September 26 – October 18, 2025
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Culture Days
Celebrate the arts and culture of Canada through various free activities. September 19 – October 12, 2025
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Spirit Market 2025
The Spirit Market carries on the tradition of the exploration and practice of spiritualism. Join other enthusiasts with spirit-themed vendors and workshops. From crystals, tarot cards, and art, to devilishly tasty treats, there is something for everyone! October 4, 2025
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Bingemans Screampark
Are you prepared for the walk of fear? Bingemans Screampark opens for the season on September 26th. You can also choose the camping nightmare package. Tickets are timed admissions. So get yours early.
Harvest Hoedown
Grab your cowboy boots, dust off your hats, and join us for a rollicking night of country vibes and wild rides at the Harvest Hoedown! It’s a fun-filled evening you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets now and round up your friends for an unforgettable country experience! September 19, 2025
Misery
A wonderfully dark and caustic examination of celebrity, creativity, and the impact that fictional characters can have on real people, Misery is a nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse that will have you at the edge of your seat right up until its inherently suspenseful and indelibly memorable ending. October 8 – 26, 2025
Mahler-Symphony No 2, “Resurrection”
Mahler’s epic Resurrection Symphony brings the KW Symphony back to its rightful home in the acoustical splendour of the Centre in The Square, in concert with Allyson McHardy, Mezzo-Soprano, Lauren Margison, Soprano and the Grand Philharmoníc Choir. November 20, 2025
Pumpkinpalooza
Get ready for a spooktacular day of Halloween fun in St. Jacobs! Enjoy pumpkin carving, ghostly activities, and more. Then, join the King Street Pumpkin Parade and Trick or Treat with local shops. Don’t forget to wear your best costume for a chance to win awesome prizes! October 25, 2025
Picklefest
Enjoy dill-icious pickle-inspired dishes from local restaurants and cool as a cucumber brews from local Breweries at THEMUSEUM. November 14, 2025
Holiday Sip & Shop
Join us for two festive nights at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market for the Holiday Sip & Shop event! On Friday, November 21st and 28th, all three of the market buildings will be open from 4 PM to 9 PM, creating the perfect holiday shopping experience.
Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution
Enjoy Agatha Christie’s thrilling courtroom drama from October 29 to November 16, 2025. If you’re a fan of riveting drama, you won’t want to miss this shocker that cleverly and slyly shows the best defence is a killer offence.
Shrek The Musical
The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in this fun-filled and hilarious musical comedy based on the hit animated movie. Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, Shrek The Musical is guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles and laughing all the way home. December 3 – 28, 2025
Día de los Muertos
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos in DTK— a day to honour and remember loved ones through music, food, art, and tradition. November 1, 2025
Night Fever
Canada’s No. 1 tribute to the Bee Gees comes to Bingemans on November 6, 2025! Night Fever sings all the hits: Stayin’ Alive, Massachussets, To Love Somebody, I Started a Joke, More Than a Woman, You Should be Dancing, How Deep is Your Love, and many more.
HAPPY TOGETHER! The Sixties Songs of Summer
Enjoy a live concert featuring The Biggest Hits of the 1960s at the Registry Theatre! This 10-piece orchestra of horns, strings, bells, and whistles will take you back to the golden age of AM Radio. November 29, 2025
2. Activities in (and near) the City
Iron Horse Trail
This 5.5km of trail along the old railway corridor offers a chance to bask in the warm colours of fall while learning about a fascinating time in Canada’s history. The trail is fairly flat and fully accessible, so it makes for a perfect Sunday Stroll.
Eby Farmstead
Fall is a time of harvest and farm-appreciation, so why not meet the animals? Located in the heart of Waterloo, this is your perfect chance to get up close and personal with llamas, peacocks, chickens, potbelly pics, miniature ponies, goats and more! And its free!
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Petersburg Regional Forest
With the wind at your back and the adrenaline in your veins, you’ll appreciate the crisp fall air while biking Petersburg Regional Forest’s 25 km single-track mountain biking trails. Don’t worry, there are also multi-use and hiking trails through their mature-hardwood forest.
Barrie’s Asparagus Farm & Country Market
This family-owned and operated homestead has been operating since 1892. Although specializing in asparagus, they also grow rhubarb, corn, and pumpkins, and raise pasture-fed park. Open daily, visit Barrie’s Asparagus Farm and Country Market for a new twist on the country classic.
Strom’s Farm & Bakery
Strom’s Farm & Bakery is a second generation farm that started in 1978. Join in on the fun and get lost at their 6-acre corn maze.
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Contesgo River Horseback Adventures
Why crunch leaves beneath your feet, when you can ride through the Fall foliage? With Horseback riding, pony rides, trail rides, a weekend with Contesgo River Horseback Adventures will be one for the memory bank.
Walter Bean Grand River Trail
This beautiful 17.7km trail runs near the Grand River through Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, and Woolwich. Now that the weather is cooler, it’s the perfect time to strap on some rollerblades, jump on your bicycle, or simple put on your shoes for a journey a bit longer than warmer weather would permit.
Avon Trail
Strap on your hiking boots, pack your lunch, and head out on this 113 km hiking trail from St. Mary’s to Conestogo. The trail mostly consists of an unpaved foot path, so it’s perfect for the more rugged enthusiast, but you’ll have to leave your bicycles and motorized vehicles at home.
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Visit an Apple Farm
Enjoy a fun day picking apples at Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm. There are over 10 varieties of apples to pick including McIntosh, Gala, Honey Crisp, Ambrosia, Red Delicious. Starts September 8, 2023 (closing date TBA)
Victoria Park
This Jewel of the city was officially opened in 1896. With a picnic shelter, playground, horseshoe pits, and more, its’ the perfect way to spend a crisp fall day with family. Be sure to check out the original iron bridge and cannons!
Snyder’s Farm Fun
Snyder’s Family Farm
With Hayrides, corn maze, and Haunted House, Snyder’s Family Farm is the place to go this fall.
Schmidt Woods
Completed in the fall of 2016, celebrate this urban forest’s birthday. With 2km of compacted stone multi-purpose trail and 1 km of natural ground hiking trail, you really can choose your own adventure.
Huron Natural Area
This fall, visit this awe-inspiring destination for nature lovers, families, trail walkers, photographers – and for those looking to experience nature and enjoy awesome power walk amidst golden hues of fall. It is Kitchener’s largest and most valuable natural area at 107-hectare and is located at 801 Trillium Dr.
Shade’s Mills Park
This park features 12 kms of trails through mature hardwood forest, as well as an 80 acre reservoir perfect for fall fishing.
Taste of Fall
Drop at Mapleton’s Organic Daily’s Farm for a morning or afternoon of exploring, or as a stop on the way to cottage country. There is Cedar Hedge Maze, a pet barn, an adventure path, and an outdoor play area for young kids.
Forwell Trail
Forwell Trail is a short 1-km trail that offers beautiful views and runs through King Street North to Lexington Road. The Forwell trail connects to the Hillside Trail.
Dumfries Conservation Area
This urban park is surrounded by homes and industries, but with 185 acres of forests, wetlands, and trails you would be none the wiser. Bring your camera and make it a fall photoshoot!
Pumpkins and more
Have you been to the Good Family Farm? Check them out for they have over 20 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and many varieties gourds. Pumpkins and more.
Good Family Pumpkins
TJ’s Farm
TJ’s Farm is best known for its sweet, delicious corn. They also have beautiful pumpkins, gourds. If you are visiting the farm don’t forget to get some of their fresh farm produce. You will be going back year after year!
Art Walk
Explore the murals in downtown Kitchener at your own pace! This self-guided walk will let you experience art installations, both old and new, located throughout the downtown core. Pick up a field guide online from here.
Kitchener Market
Head on down to the Kitchener Market on Saturdays to shop local produce, dairy, and specialty items while enjoying live music by your favourite local musicians.
Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery
The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is conducting fall programs that cater to adults and kids. So if you want to learn a new skill or want to polish your abilities, sign up for their workshops.
Corn Mazes and Haunted Mazes
Visit corn mazes and other farms that host Halloween haunted mazes and activities.
St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market
This harvest season, visit Canada’s largest year-round Farmer’s market and choose from 100s of local vendors featuring farm-fresh foods, crafts, imported goods, and more.
Doon Heritage Village at the Waterloo Region Museum
At a time of year when we start to appreciate modern conveniences like central heating and instant hot water, Fall is the perfect time to learn what life was like before Netflix and Chill. Doon Heritage Village is a picturesque 60 acre living history village that shows visitors what life was like in Waterloo Region in the year 1914.
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Cambridge Farmer’s Market
Started in 1830, this is one of the oldest farmer’s markets in Canada. Featuring local seafood, baked goods, cheeses, meats, produce, and arts and crafts, you’ll certainly leave with a taste of the country.
Woodside National Historic Site
Take a self-guided tour through this boyhood home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s longest serving prime minister. With the woods ablaze in autumn colour and the house decorated with harvest fruits, vegetables, and gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces, a trip to the National Historic site will make an amazing one.
Cambridge Sculpture Garden
Cambridge’s best-kept secret, the Cambridge Sculpture Garden offers you a chance to get outside in the crisp fall air, take in the historic Grand River, and contemplate the beautiful public-art sculptures in the garden. Best of all, it’s always free and always open.