Kitchener 
Events Description
Break away from the winter blues at the city’s annual cold weather festival on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from noon to 5 p.m. in uptown Waterloo.
Winterloo is an annual, free for all ages festival that is open to the public and run by the City of Waterloo’s Arts and Creative Industries team, Create Waterloo.
Explore this years festival using the online Winterloo 2026 Google Map.
Located at Waterloo Public Square:
Live ice carving showcase – Experience the artistry of winter in real time as 3 award-winning ice carvers transform crystal-clear blocks of ice into stunning Winter Olympic inspired sculptures.
Featuring: Philippe Saraiva, Danny Marchiori, and Tyler Hayes
Outdoor ice skating – Bring your own skates and enjoy a memorable outing with family and friends at the uptown skating rink.
Free and open to all ages.
Need ice skates? Rentals are a short walk away at McPhail’s Cycle & Sports Ltd, or you can borrow ice skates from Waterloo Public Library (Eastside and McCormick Branch).
Live music by DJ $ensi Bø¥ – Keep the energy high and the atmosphere vibrant while jamming out to a live set by DJ $ensi Bø¥, spinning upbeat tracks throughout the festivities.
Local Food Truck – Warm up with hot drinks and sweet treats served by the Hissing Goose Coffee Roasters.
The first 100 visitors will receive a complimentary hot drink.
Located at Visitor Information Centre:
Giant games and snow activities
Dive into hands-on winter fun for all ages:
- Challenge friends and family to life-sized Connect Four, Jenga, Tetris, and Cornhole
- Unleash your imagination and creativity in the Snow Painting Zone
- Build, stack, and engineer in the Block Build Zone, featuring 500+ pieces
Live music by DJ Megan Arnold – Keep the energy high and the atmosphere vibrant while jamming out to a live set by DJ Megan Arnold, spinning upbeat tracks throughout the festivities.
Local Food Truck – Satisfy your cravings with delicious bites from BeaverTails and Berlin 95, serving warm and comforting favourites throughout the event.
Maple Taffy Station – Indulge in a taste of Canadian tradition with a complimentary serving of fresh maple taffy — a sweet winter treat for all ages.
Snow dogs and sled rides – noon to 4 p.m. – Meet the incredible snow dogs from the Ontario Federation of Sled Dog Sports and Rajenn Sled Dogs. Children under 100 lbs can experience the thrill of a snow dog sled ride — an unforgettable winter adventure.
Bringing your own pet to Winterloo? We kindly ask that you keep your animals at a distance from the working sled dogs.
Winterloo Dog Fashion Show – Celebrate creativity and companionship at the debut Winterloo Dog Fashion Show! From cozy winter wear to creative costumes, show off your dog’s unique style and personality.
Registration is open from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the check-in tent. We’ll share more information soon.
Winterloo Art Display – Step into the magic of Winterloo with a stunning art display created by local artist, Agnes Niewiadomski. It’s the perfect backdrop for a family photo to always remember your Winterloo 2026 adventure!
Other:
Comfort Food Crawl
This year’s Uptown Waterloo BIA Comfort Food Crawl, featuring a curated selection of comforting dishes crafted by restaurants throughout Uptown. From savoury classics to sweet indulgences, each stop offers a taste designed to delight and satisfy.
Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Your ticket grants access to sample a variety of dishes across multiple venues with all proceeds going to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
Outdoor ice skating
Bring your own skates and enjoy a memorable outing with family and friends at the uptown skating rink.
Free and open to all ages.
Need ice skates? Rentals are a short walk away at McPhail’s Cycle & Sports Ltd, or you can borrow ice skates from Waterloo Public Library (Eastside and McCormick Branch).
HOW MUCH
Tickets : Mostly Free
How to get tickets?
At the door
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Waterloo Park – Central Promenade & Other Venues
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