Kitchener 
Thanksgiving Weekend in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12, 2020
Thanksgiving weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions. A few weekday and online events are also listed.
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Get Early bird tickets to Bingemans’ Gift of Lights until October 13th.
Fall Fun & Halloween – Schneider Haus National Historic Site
Schneider Haus is reopening on weekends in the fall, with pre-purchased timed entry starting on Saturday, September 26. Nestled in the heart of downtown, Schneider Haus is the oldest surviving dwelling in Kitchener. Experience connections between today’s world, the Haus and the families who lived there. Details
Saturday & Sunday, September 26 – November 01, 2020
Schneider Haus National Historic Site, 466 Queen Street South, Kitchener
$0 – $19.13
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Dinosaur Drive-Thru
Take a drive where the dinosaurs roar! This unique drive-thru experience at Bingemans places you and your family right into the Mesozoic Era exploring the wondrous dinosaurs that once roamed our Earth. The Dinosaur Drive-Thru offers exciting family fun while being educational, too! Listen to the informative audio track through your car stereo while driving through the park surrounded by Dinos. Details
October 10 – 25, 2020
425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
$5 – $25 + HST
Snyder’s Farm Fun
A fun-filled fall visit for family and friends! Details
Select dates, until October 12, 2020
Snyder’s Family Farm, 936685 Blenheim Rd, Bright
$12
Fall Fun at Shantz Family Farm
U-Pick & Pay Pumpkin Patch is open. Farmer Kevin creates a unique, one-of-a-kind Corn Maze that is different every year, depending on what might be happening in our family! There is also a fun, kid-sized Straw Maze complete with play equipment for younger kids to enjoy – perfect for the preschoolers. Details
September 22 – November 1, 2020
Shantz Family Farm, Bleams Road, Petersburg
Free
Thanksgiving Weekend at Waterloo Region Museum
Come celebrate the harvest season with some good old-fashioned fun in Doon Heritage Village this weekend. With harvest themed demonstrations in the Martin House, Blacksmith Shop, and the McArthur House, this Fall event is sure to be bushels of fun! Details
October 10 – 12, 2020
Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener
$0 – $31.12
Down On The Farm
Drop by for a morning or afternoon of exploring, or as a stop on the way to cottage country. Details
Until October 31, 2020
Mapleton’s Organic, 8548 Wellington Road 7, Moorefield
Free and ticketed activities
Visit the Growing Hope Farm
Come cuddle, feed, and walk the baby goats! We also have chickens and pigs for you to visit as well! Details
Friday and Saturday, Until October 11, 2020
Growing Hope Farm, 246 Sherring St, Cambridge
$15 pp
Fall Fun at Benjamin Tree Farm
With over 15,000 square feet of playground space for the kids, 40+ local vendors offering handmade items and seasonal decor, and of course your pick of pumpkins — Benjamin Farm is thrilled to get the chance to create lasting memories for families around the region. Enjoy the Sand hill, playground, balance beams, pumpkin bowling, climbing web, and much more! Details
Daily, September 12 – October 31, 2020 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Benjamin Tree Farm, 770 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo
$7.00
Twin Valley Zoo
Brant-Brantford Twin Valley Zoo is a 25 acre, family-run, wildlife park. Details
Daily | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Brant-Brantford Twin Valley Zoo, 84 Langford Church Rd, Brantford
Regular admission
Fall Festival at Brantwood Farms
Visit the farm this fall in a safe, physically distanced way. A fun day out for everyone. Details
September 12 – October 31, 2020
Brantwood Farms, 251 Powerline Rd, Brantford
$13
Explore Chudleigh’s Farm
Experience scenic tractor wagon rides by the Niagara Escarpment, visit our farm animal area and nature trail that features swing ropes. Watch your children enjoy the play area that features four huge slides, a tower, and hay bale jumps. Details
Until October 31, 2020
Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm, 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills, Halton
$0 – $15
Old Post Office Light Show
Watch visual effects transform the Old Post Office every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night! Details
October 2 – November 1, 2020
Old Post Office, 12 Water Street South, Cambridge
Free
Harvest Fun at Strom’s Farm
Join in on the fun and experience harvest fun activities. Details
September 19 – October 31, 2020
Strom’s Farm & Bakery, 5089 Wellington County Rd 32, Guelph
$7.96 – $13.50
Go Apple Picking
Delicious apples are ready to pick. Check out these farms for some great options
Do call the farms to confirm their hours before starting
For more options see,
Pumpkin Patches
- The Apple Orchard
- Hanes Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
- Herrles Country Farm Market
- Good Family Farm Pumpkins
- TJ’s Farm Fresh
- Fall Harvest Farm
Corn Mazes in Ontario
Get lost at world-famous corn mazes or at the one nearest to you for a memorable experience with the family or your bestie. Most of these farms also have a whole bunch of other great activities so you can enjoy the entire day picking pumpkins, milking goats, cuddling bunnies and so much more! Details
Enjoy Fall in KW Region
From corn mazes to fabulous fall festivals, there are plenty of ways to celebrate fall in KW Region. Check out this list of 30 activities you can do in Kitchener – Waterloo Region.
- Fun Fall Activities in and around KW Region
- Weekend Getaways from GTA: Exploring Ontario Provincial Parks
Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
When Ontario comes alive with vibrant colours in autumn, cities and towns across the province offer a unique environment, and distinct character for visitors and locals to truly explore.
II. Live Music
Fly Me to the Moon: Sinatra and Beyond
In a tribute to the world’s greatest crooners, singer Michael Vanhevel and the KWS take you on a sentimental journey of crooner classics including songs like Fly Me to the Moon, Unforgettable, The Way You Look Tonight and so many more. Details
Friday, October 9, 2020 | 8:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Online
$15 – $100
New Vibes Quartet
The New Vibes Jazz Quartet began as a trio in the spring of 1999 with Andy Macpherson (vibes, drums), Dan Brennan (bass), and Tom Wilson (piano) and evolved quickly into a quartet with the addition of Gary Tomlin on drums. Andy leads New Vibes that now features Dan (bass), John Zadro (piano), Jay Boehmer (drums) and usually Jerzy Kaplanek (violin) who augments the group when they can play as a quintet. Details
Friday, October 09, 2020 | 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM
The Jazz Room, 59 King St. North, Waterloo
$12
Pat Collins Trio “CD Release”
The Trio will be playing tunes from their brand new Cornerstone Records release which is a mix of original tunes, standards, with a bit of Paul Simon for good luck”. Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM
The Jazz Room, 59 King St. North, Waterloo
$12
Enjoy a Quarantine Concert
There are many free concerts live-streamed every day. Check them out.
III. Theatre/Performing Arts
Movies
Movies at Landmark Cinemas. Details
Movies at Cineplex. Details
Enjoy Live Theatre from around the World
With COVID-19 pandemic forcing theatres to shut their doors, many performing art centres have taken to being open virtually. Check out theatre performance online from around the world. Details
Drive-in Movies
What a better way to spend an enjoyable time with family than to watch a movie under the stars?
Starlite Drive-in Stoney Creek
Drive-in Entertainment at On the Grand– Halloween Movies
For more ideas see, Drive-In Theatres in Ontario
Various dates
IV. Sports
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
There are plenty of opportunities across 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:
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- 25 Hikes to Enjoy Fall Colours in Ontario
- 25 Nature Attractions & Parks in Kitchener-Waterloo Region
- 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 26 Nature Parks and Hiking Spots in the Halton Region
- 25 Waterfalls to Visit Near Toronto
- 25 Hiking Spots & Nature Parks in York Region
- 50 Nature Attractions & Hotspots in and around GTV. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
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V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Ontario Culture Days
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of participatory arts and culture events across the country. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Details
September 25 – October 25, 2020
Across Ontario
Free
The Unfortunate Man
The Unfortunate Man – The story of William Harvey 1889. Not for the faint of heart. Details
Friday, August 07 – October 09, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
The Red Brick Cafe, 8 Douglas St., Guelph
$20
Art Fresco Public Art
As part of the #WRUnited Campaign, Explore Waterloo Region presents the Art Fresco Public Art Project: a whimsical tour of a series of unique picnic tables hand painted by talented local artisans. These extraordinary pieces are being hosted at various restaurants and patios around the Region to inject some vibrancy into a sector that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy the tables, make memories, and take photos. Details
Various locations
Free
Exhibits at THEMUSEUM
THEMUSEUM’s permanent exhibits are fun for the whole family! Visitors can practice the art of graffiti without the mess on the Virtual Graffiti Wall, while the Animation Station lets aspiring filmmakers get hands-on experience with our stop-motion animation studio. Details
Open Daily
THEMUSEUM, 10 King Street West, Kitchener
$0 – $9.03
Explore Canada or the World From Home
Explore Canada’s arctic, Winnipeg, National Parks and many more places from Home. Travel to international or outer space destinations like the international space station, discover Egypt’s Heritage Sites from tombs to monasteries or take a trip on scenic trains in Europe virtually.
VI. Thanksgiving Dinner/Events
Thanksgiving Turkey Take-Out
- Bingemans Commisary Kitchen
- Cambridge Hotel
- Proof Kitchen + Lounge
- Charcoal Steak House
- Borealis Grille
Thanksgiving Dinner Dine-In
- Cambridge Hotel on October 10 – 11, 2020
- Proof Kitchen + Lounge on October 10 – 11, 2020
- Borealis Grille on October 10 – 12, 2020
- OpenTable Listings
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade Special
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving in the Waterloo Region without the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade Special! We have partnered with CTV Southwestern Ontario to bring you a look back on previous parades. The special will include historical facts about the parade and Festival, as well as lots of great archival footage. It will also highlight many of the floats, bands, and special guests that have been a part of the parade over the years. Details
Monday, October 12, 2020 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Online
Free
VII. Food Events / Nightlife Events
55 & Better Fridays: Goudies Sticky Buns
Goudies Sticky Buns: The Original Secret Family Recipe! THEMUSEUM is paying tribute to the iconic landmark by offering authentic Goudies Department Store sticky buns on 55 & Better Fridays! Details
Pre-order your Goudies Sticky Buns by Tuesday, October 6th
THEMUSEUM, 10 King Street West, Kitchener
$5.94 – $25.12
Oktoberfest Bavarian Feast
Bingemans @Home is proud to offer Bavarian Feast 2020! Enjoy all the traditional favourites of the Oktoberfest season in the comfort of your home. A full selection of beverages to choose from as well. Details
October 10 – 11, 2020
40 Shirley Avenue, Kitchener
Varies with purchase
Bingemans Scream Park
One horrifying walk…zero ways to prepare for the fear! Details
October 9-11, 2020 | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Bingemans 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener
$29.95 – $34.95
Fear Farm presents Haunted Campfire Experience
A truly VIP Experience – 2 hour private campfire experience for you group of 5 or 10, including a haunted outdoor adventure through the BEST of Fear Farm’s outdoor haunts ( including the cornfield maze, as well as other outdoor walks). Details
October 3, 9-10, 2020
936685 Blenheim Rd, Bright
$250 – $500
Sunset Campfire
Enjoy a campfire in your own socially distant area. A small campfire is perfect for family or friends of up to 5 people, or a large campfire for up to 10 people in your bubble of family and friends. Details
October 9 – 10, 2020
Snyder’s Family Farm, 936685 Blenheim Rd, Bright
$60 – $150
Oktoberfest at The Duke of Wellington
Join us for a “Micro-Festhallen” at The Duke of Wellington this year! Get your festival on and join us for some amazing live music, pork schnitzel and lots of beer on our patio! Details
Saturday, October 10, 2020 | 8:00 PM
The Duke of Wellington, 33 Erb Street West, Waterloo
$11.62 – $32.84
VIII. Virtual Events & Activities
Eden Mills Writer’s Festival – In Your Own Backyard
From May – October 2020, we’re presenting a series of online events featuring the very best of emerging and established Canadian writers. Just like you’ve come to expect from us. So stay in, and connect with us from your own “backyard”. Details
May – October 2020 | Various dates
Virtual Open Days
Visit theThe Donkey Sanctuary of Canada virtually. Staff will be on hand to answer all of your donkey-related questions. Details
Sundays | 10:00 AM
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
This virtual Oktoberfest experience will offer two days of live (and some pre-recorded) Oktoberfest-themed entertainment and interactive experiences to engage the whole family. Details
September 25 to October 12, 2020
Live: Murder on the Montreal Bullet
It’s New Year’s Eve, 2040. You received an invitation and ticket to a luxury private car on the inaugural trip of the first bullet train! A virtual futuristic speakeasy event. Details
Until Saturday, October 31, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hamilton Youth Film Festival
Founded in 2017, the Hamilton Youth Film Festival (HYFF) was created to give the youth of Hamilton a chance to shine. Now an annual event, HYFF is largely promoted to the young adults of the Hamilton community and beyond. T Details
Fridays, September 18 – October 9, 2020 | 10:00 PM
Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Virtual Festival
Join us on a virtual adventure where guests will enjoy heritage village tours and historical demonstrations, as well as music and entertainment, all from the comfort of their home. This year’s virtual event will feature more than 80 juried artisans, vendors, demonstrators and entertainers participating in this long annual tradition. Details
Virtual Vendor Market: September 12 – October 7, 2020
Heritage Tours | October 9 – 12, 2020
Festitalia Virtual Festival
Festitalia Virtual Festival Program features the greatest of Italian Art, Culture, Culinary, Music, and Literature! From regional recipes to curated music playlists, all the way to ornate metalworks and Bocce games of the past. Details
Through October 31, 2020
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.