August long weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, hikes, live music, theatre & performing arts, and more! Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 3, 2026.
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Kiwanis Kids’ Day at Kiwanis Park
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Kiwanis Park, 1000 Kiwanis Park Dr, Kitchener
$6.88 for 1 adult, $4.60 for 1 child (purchase at the gate); Kitchener passes accepted at the gate
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 1 – 3, 2026
Marden Park, 7368 Wellington County Road 30, Guelph
$12 – $20, depending on age
Canada Strong Pass
Enjoy free admission to Parks Canada sites and free admission for children aged 17 and under, 50% off admission fees for youth aged 18 to 24 to provincial museums until September 7, 2026.
- Parks Canada National Parks and Historic Sites
- National Museums: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum and National Gallery of Canada.
- Fulford Place — Ontario Heritage Trust — Brockville
- Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History — Ontario Heritage Trust — Dresden
- Art Gallery of Ontario — Toronto
- McMichael Canadian Art Collection — Kleinburg
- St Lawrence Parks Commission — various locations
- Royal Botanical Gardens — Burlington and Hamilton
- Old Fort Erie — Fort Erie
- Laura Secord Homestead — Niagara on the Lake
- Mackenzie Printery — Niagara on the Lake
- McFarland House — Niagara on the Lake
- Sainte-Marie among the Huron — Midland
- Discovery Harbour — Penetanguishene
- Fort William Historical Park — Thunder Bay
- Royal Ontario Museum — Toronto
Daily Summer Programming at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory offers daily interactive programming perfect for young ones and the young at heart. Each day, guests can enjoy Bug Hunt Catch & Release at 11 am and Creature Feature at 1 pm and 3 pm. These family-friendly programs are led by our Nature Interpreters and are designed to help guests look closer, ask questions, and connect with the insects and animals around them.
Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, 2500 Kossuth Rd, Cambridge
General Admission Day Pass (age 13-64): $22.50
Senior Day Pass (age 65+): $18.50
Child Day Pass (3 – 12): $13.50; Child (age 2 and under): Free
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
Thursday, Saturday, June 9 – August 27, 2026
Northfield ION, St Jacobs Farmers Market, and St. Jacobs village.
$21.49 – $42.79
Explore Chudleigh’s Farm
Take a walk in the orchard garden, enjoy a wagon ride around the farm, stop by the playground and run on our haybales, visit friendly farm animals and enjoy a barnboard pizza with a glass of cider on the patio. Details
Daily | Hours Vary
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm, 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills, Halton
$13 – $14.50
African Lion Safari
Canada’s Original Safari Adventure – Get Closer Than You Ever Imagined to lions, giraffes, cheetah, rhinos, and over 1,000 other exotic birds and animals! Details
Daily May 2 – September 20 and select dates from September 23 to October 11, 2026
African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton
$26.95 – $53.95
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
Sunset Sessions
Join us at Vogelsang Green (corner of Queen and Duke) every friday in June, July and August to enjoy an intimate outdoor concert under the lights. Details
Fridays, June 19 – August 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Vogelsang Green, 19 Queen St N, Kitchener
Free
Castle Kilbride Summer Concert Series
Summer is best enjoyed outdoors! Every Thursday evening, from 7pm – 8pm, summer is celebrated at the Castle with an outdoor concert on the front lawn. Details
Thursdays, June 25 – August 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden
Admission is by donation
Cambridge Summer Live
Various dates, July 5 – August 30, 2026
Rum Runners – Paul Mitchell | Sunday, August 2 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM @ Mill Race Park, 104 Water Street, Cambridge
Various locations across Cambridge
Free
Bradley Hale & Urban Cowboy Line Dancing
Join us July 31 for a night of country music with Ontario’s own Bradley Hale, plus Urban Cowboy line dancing as part of the show. Raised in small-town Elmira, Bradley brings a warm baritone voice, heartfelt songwriting, and a backroads country sound influenced by artists like Eric Church, Zach Bryan, Riley Green, and John Mayer. Details
Friday, July 31, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
$20 in advance or $30 at the door
The Elmira Sunday Night Concert Series
Enjoy free concerts every Sunday night from 7 pm to 9 pm in the summer. Enjoy country and bluegrass music. Details
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gibson Park, Elmira
Free
Afternoon Garden Concert featuring Jess & Richard Arrowsmith
Join us at McDougall Cottage for an afternoon of lively traditional music featuring the popular UK based duo, Jess & Richard Arrowsmith. Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
McDougall Cottage Historic Site, 89 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge
$13.48
The Worlds Greatest Tribute To The Traveling Wilburys!
Don’t miss this spectacular salute to the supergroup of all supergroups; The Traveling Wilburys: George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan. The Traveling Milburys deliver the goods in an evening filled with thrilling lights, sound, video and audience participation. An authentic recreation of The Traveling Wilburys right down to the outfits and instruments. Enjoy all the hits of The Wilburys PLUS classics from each individual artist including George Harrison (The Beatles), Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra), and Tom Petty (The Heartbreakers)! Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Fergus Grand Theatre, 244 St Andrew St W, Fergus
$59 + fees and tax
III. Theatre/Performing Arts
Sorry…I’m Not Sorry!
Humorist Neil Aitchison takes the stage as his beloved alter ego to provide truly unique and hilarious insights on what it means to be quintessentially Canadian. Alongside heaps of folksy humour and sprinklings of lighthearted political satire, the golden voices and soaring spirits of homegrown talent will showcase our rich musical heritage with selections from the Great Canadian Song Book. Details
June 3 to August 22, 2026
Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre St. Jacobs, 11 Albert St W, St. Jacobs
$38 – $62
RACHEL CARSON
The show is written and directed by Steven Elliott Jackson, playwright of award-winning The Seat Next to the King and the 5-time Dora nominee Three Ordinary Men. Details
July 30 – 31 & August 1 – 2, 7-9, 2026 | 7:30 PM
The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick Street, Kitchener
$30 regular, $25 student/senior/arts worker; $10 preview night (July 30)
Dive-In Movie Night
Join us at Big Splash Water Park for Dive-In Movie Night on August 2 from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM, featuring the classic summer thriller JAWS. The movie will begin at dusk and run until finished, creating the ultimate outdoor movie-night experience by the water.
Guests can enjoy full use of Big Splash Water Park, including all 13 waterslides, the heated wave pool, and splash pad before and during the evening. Details
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Bingemans Big Splash Waterpark, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
$13.95 online or $16.95 at the door
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
Live Hardcore No Ring Wrestling
All your favourite Deathproof crew plus some surprises RETURN to Kitchener to ensure this event is a very memorable 25 year celebration for Warhed! Hardcore hooligan favourites Matt Cash, Jessie Mack, Aiden Rayne, Sammy Sierra and Robbyn Alexis Grace will be there. Details
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 7:00 PM
The Union, 124 Sydney St S, Kitchener
$20-$30
Alpaca Private Tour and Visit at Brae Ridge Farm
Experience the magic of alpacas at Brae Ridge Farm & Sanctuary. Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our exclusive private tour, designed for up to 5 guests (expandable to 8 for a small additional fee). Experience the thrill of meeting and hand-feeding alpacas while strolling through their paddocks and home. It’s an intimate encounter that will truly leave you in awe! Discover the secrets of alpaca communication and behavior, immersing yourself in their fascinating world. Details
Various dates
Brae Ridge Farm & Sanctuary, 7667 Maltby Rd E, Puslinch
$125 – $195
Go Golfing
Golf courses across the Kitchener-Waterloo region are open. Book a tee time!
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
There are numerous opportunities throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo Region to enjoy nature. Go cycling and explore Cambridge, Kitchener, and 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
Food Day Canada
Food Day Canada is a chance for all Canadians to enjoy our food and give thanks to our farmers and fishers, our chefs and researchers, our home cooks and more. Canadians share their food and their stories with each other while leading other nations in cultural diversity, food ethics, magnificent flavours … and fun! Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | All day
Shop locally, cook at home, or visit a restaurant or event to celebrate!
Free admission
DTK Latin Heat 2026
DTK Latin Heat 2026 brings a full summer of free outdoor dancing, music, movement, and Latin vibes. Each evening features a free dance lesson followed by social dancing, making it a lively summer event for all skill levels. Details
Friday, July 31, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Carl Zehr Square 200 King St W, Kitchener
Free
Vogue Visits
A guided tour by a costumed guide of the exhibits the Trip of 1936 and Vogue Voyages: Fashion on the High Seas Travel Clothes 1912 – 1939. Afterwards create a fabulous fascinator or brilliant bow tie. Details
Julky 31 – August 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder’s Road West
$5.25 – $8.25
Tea in the Garden at McCrae House
Thursday – Saturday, June 13 – September 5, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
McCrae House, 108 Water Street, Guelph
$24.86
Summer Open Days at the DSC
Come out and experience the DSC! Details
Sundays, May 3 – October 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada, 6981 Concession 4, Puslinch
$0 – $20
Rise N Shine Breakfast with Bingo + Bluey
Rise and shine for a morning full of family fun at Breakfast with Bingo + Bluey! This exclusive ticketed event takes place on August 2 and includes a delicious waffle breakfast, mini golf, FunworX access, arcade fun, and special character appearances from Bingo and Bluey. Details
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Bingemans Big Splash Waterpark, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Adult tickets are $12.95 and include breakfast and mini golf. Children’s tickets are $17.95 and include breakfast, mini golf, play structure access, and a $5 arcade card. Children under 2 are $7.95 and include breakfast and play structure access.
Trip of 1936 Exhibit
The year 1936 was a time of change as 18-year-old Laura Louise Livingston and her mother embarked on a trip that would change their lives forever. Looking back 90 years later, this exhibit explores the areas they toured and unexpected crossroads they encountered. From Norway to Germany, to Egypt through the Holy Land each stop broadened their views. Details
Tuesday – Sunday, February 4 to November 8
Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder’s Road West, Baden
The show is included with regular admission to Castle Kilbride
Doon Heritage Village Grand Opening
July and August, 2026
Doon Heritage Village, 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener
Included in regular admission
Iron Willed: Women in STEM
Designed to engage, advance, inspire and support young women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Iron Willed: Women in STEM highlights the contributions women have made — and continue to make — in these fields. The exhibition supports international efforts to advance gender equity and address the persistent underrepresentation of women in STEM careers. Details
May 19 to December 30, 2026
City of Waterloo Museum, located at Conestoga Mall
Located near the food court
Free admission
Drayton Vintage Car Show Series
Come and witness the sight of timeless classics, muscle machines, and unique collectible cars from across the region. There is live-music, a food-booth, the Mapleton Farmers Market, and a 50-50 draw all for you to enjoy on a fun night out! Details
Monday, August 3, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Drayton Municipal Parking Lot, 14 Main St W
$10.00 car registration fee (donations to the food bank are also welcome)
Uptown Waterloo Night Market
Support local makers, taste local treats, enjoy entertainment from local musicians, discover programming from Waterloo Public Library and SO much more!! Details
Thursdays, July – August 2026 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Lower parking lot at the Waterloo Public Library (Main Branch)
Free
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, and 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
Curiosity Camp
Curiosity Camp is a dynamic, fun-filled program designed to spark creativity and ignite a passion for learning in children. This camp offers a variety of hands-on activities, including science experiments, art projects, outdoor adventures, and team-building exercises. Each week, campers explore the museum, its exhibits, and outdoor spaces. Kids at Curiosity Camp are empowered to embrace their curiosity! Details
Various dates, June 29 – September 4, 2026
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener
$70.46
Saturday Farmer’s Market
For more than 150 years, Kitchener residents have come together at our Saturday farmers’ market. Visitors can 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 Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener
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.
View Comments (2)
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.