Watch Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance with your community. Unflinching, bold, enraging, hopeful. Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance is a vital new chapter in the queer canon, capturing pivotal moments that sparked Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ movement and honouring the activists whose resistance led to the rights we have today.
Behnaz Fatemi’s solo exhibition Sumâq traces a path between places. It reflects on cultural memory and how it takes root in new soil. Enjoy the work as it carries the taste of survival.
Join this group of bird and outdoor enthusiasts who are taking up space and trying out birding! Whether it’s your first time or you want a place to bird with friends.
This exhibition is bringing together three French-speaking women artists whose practices reveal the unseen forces that shape our world. They explore this through textiles, sculpture and paintings.
Come and meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and participate in a variety of activities. Every week will offer different activities, including trivia, games and informal discussions. Participants will get a monthly calendar with weekly themes and specific location details.
Join us for the fiftieth annual Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival! There is a craft market, the Queen’s Bush street market and a wide variety of food vendors that draw thousands to Wellesley on the last Saturday of September every year. This event is one you do not want to miss.
The International Multicultural Platform for Alternative Contemporary Theatre, or IMPACT, is a biennial celebration organized by MT Space in the Waterloo Region. IMPACT will present some of the finest local, national and international work that is focused on Indigenous and culturally diverse work from Turtle Island and around the world.
Explore uptown Waterloo like you never have before! Lumen is an immersive festival celebrating light, art and technology.
A celebration of music, food and drink curated by Farm League Brewing. This is the third year running the ever-growing music festival in Galt, Ontario and it just keeps getting even better. The Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge region is now one of Ontario’s premier hubs for music and entertainment in recent years.
Uncork your creativity this fall! Join in on a relaxing evening and painting at this Autumn-themed wine and paint night. People of all experiences are welcome. Paint, canvases, brushes and a local artist will guide you in a step-by-step tutorial to create your own masterpiece.
Come join us at the Guelph Youth Music Centre for a fantastic night of burlesque and drag performances. This event will feature local rising stars from Guelph. Don’t miss out on this chance to see them before they rise to stardom!
Join in for an hour and a half of Pickleball at no cost. This session is primarily for beginners and is meant to be a non-competitive and fun environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to connect while getting in some physical activity. No previous experience is needed.
Bring an art project in progress or start a new one with your community! Each week there will be a featured art method. The goal of the program is to provide a creative space for 2SLGBTQ+ people in the community to connect.
Enjoy these two powerful films as part of the Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival. After the screenings, stay for a short circle discussion to share thoughts and reflections. A Dream Called Khushi is a feature documentary that follows Waterloo Region local, Khushi, a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh, who is determined to share her story. Migrants […]
Are you an older adult who enjoys playing music or singing? Join the Waterloo Public Library for a fun and welcoming music-making experience. All skill levels are welcome, no experience necessary. Connect, create, and enjoy the joy of music with community.
Calling all outdoorsy types! Looking for a relaxing way to spend a Sunday morning? The Spectrum Big Queer Hiking group is making a triumphant return.. These events will allow you to experience all the natural treasures this region has to offer while bonding with the community. This hike is easy-going, accessible and a peaceful experience.
The hometown hero, Miss Moco, returns to bring you a night of killer performances, bingo and a really good time. Bingo winners get to spin the wheel of prizes. There will be five rounds of bingo with performances before and after.
Enjoy this site-specific installation in the Queen’s Square lobby by Hamilton artist Natalie Hunter. She works across photography, installation, sculpture and moving images and is mostly known for her multi-layered installations. Have your senses stimulated with the intricately layered installations which study the complexities of time, space and memory.
Experience this touring exhibition, a series of photographic and cultural still lives by Meera Margaret Singh. She traces familial histories and memories through objects like books, shells, vases and trinkets. These are stories that refer to themes of loss, migration, marriage, illness and recovery and more.
Get ready for a boot-stompin’ good time under the summer sky! There will be an unforgettable evening of line dancing led by the pros at Urban Cowboy with no experience required. This is your chance to dance and laugh with friends and family, a perfect Thursday night vibe.
In the touring exhibition “What We Hold” a series of photographic and sculptural still lifes by Meera Margaret Singh she traces familial histories and memories. She uses a variety of objects to narrate time spent and stories shared among family. The stories are ones of loss, migration, marriage, healing and love.
This stacked cast of drag kings are here to give you their best dad rock energy! Mixing drag with line dancing, it will certainly be a night you won’t forget. Doors are open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7 and a line dancing party will happen from 9 to 10 PM.
Be amazed by world-class acrobats,comedians, magicians and fire-breathers. Have your tastebuds entertained with food vendors from across the globe. Explore with your family the unique street treasures along the carnival path.
The MacGregor Albert Community Association and Uptown Waterloo North Neighbourhood Association are happy to be coming together to host a party in the park for all ages! Join your neighbors in appreciation of the magnificent Old Oak Tree with crafts, music, and refreshments on Saturday, August 23 from 2-4 p.m. under its canopy on the west […]
Examine a teddy bear and play doctor for the day with medical students from McMaster University. These students will bring equipment to help examine your teddy bear. Learn about going to the doctor and how they help keep us healthy.
Join us every Thursday evening for unique music on the lawn of Castle Kilbride. Admission is by donation and select weeks will feature a crafters’ market. On August 21, the York Street Thought Process will be playing.
The biweekly Cambridge Transgender Peer Support Group is an informal, discussion-based and drop-in program. This group is a space for adults who identify in the trans/gender variant umbrella.
Art + Wellness workshops welcome you to participate in different art activities with fellow community members. With each session, a different wellness practitioner, counsellor or art therapists guides participants through a series of activities that focus on mental health, well-being and connection.
The gym class you wish you had in high school! For community members 18+. Join us at Kiwanis Park Outdoor Volleyball Courts for a session of beach volleyball specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their family and friends. This is a beginner-friendly safe space for everybody.
Knitters of all skill levels are invited to participate and have friendly conversation with fellow knitting enthusiasts. This self-guided event is for anyone with an interest in knitting and other fiber arts.
Put together felt-creations with like-minded crafters. Choose from either a felt succulent or a cat-shaped coaster. All materials and supplies will be provided. This older adult-focused program features a variety of activities including art activities, musicians and more.
Are you ready for the third annual Dogs and Drag Show? A fabulous night of fun, fur and fierce performances. This crowd-favourite event supports two incredible organizations: KW Human Society and Dog Friendly KW. A dazzling lineup of local Drag talent will keep you entertained all night.
A dedicated public swim time for trans community members and their loved ones. The shallow end, deep end and water park slide will be open for swimmers. Check the schedule online for slide hours during Public Swims.
Situated at the intersection of art and mathematics, Sofia Eleni Escobar’s installation “Cast Shadow” displays the rich heritage of textile production in Hespeler. Through woven sculptures and pen and ink illustrations, Escobar marries new techniques and expands on traditional methods of textile manufacturing.
Enjoy a night of movies with fellow film lovers at Princess Original! The Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region hosts the August Rainbow Film Club every month. Watch Showgirls and enjoy an introduction to the film by Kevin Nixon.
Get ready for a face-melting long weekend as bands like Brutal Youth, Cross Dog, Space Pope, Avalon Stone and more will be rocking out! This multi-venue event will have you and your friends jamming out all weekend long. Venues include: Room 47, Prohibition Warehouse, Aristocanine and Princess Cafe.
Experience the vibrancy of Caribbean heritage with Caribana Ignite! Enjoy the legacy, culture and spirit of the Caribbean. Be educated and become a part of this incredible journey that strives to empower and connect.
Speed-Friending is a fun and casual event hosted by Friends of Friends. The Duke of Wellington Pub will host three sessions of 20-minute conversations with a group of different folks to facilitate mixing and mingling.
Meet the masters of butter tart baking and hot sauce making. Browse the vendor marketplace, groove to live music and let the kiddos run wild in the childrens’ area. Help out the Woolwich Community Services by bringing a non-perishable food item.
Get ready to travel back, way back! Join us for a weekend of free music, entertainment and fun. Hits that will take you back in time and get you on your feet and dancing. This can’t-miss event goes out to all music fans.
Community On Stage is excited to present Peter Pan, a musical adventure by Community On Stage Minor. This new youth division of Community on Stage is dedicated to opportunities for performers under 18.
This event will feature Ben Rollo, so come rock and roll with your friends. Bring your family, all your buddies, and your love of music and dancing. Rockin’ It at Rockway is a series of events that will also include a family BBQ and feature other live music acts.
IMPACT (International Multicultural Platform for Alternative Contemporary Theatre) is a biennial festival organized by MT Space. You are invited to enjoy the finest local, national and international work by Indigenous, Black and Racialized artists. There will be a special emphasis on interdisciplinary, intercultural and physical productions.
Forbes Park will be the background for you to enjoy country music performed by The Amanda Keeles Band. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to the free live outdoor music.
Board up for some friendly competition this summer at the St. Mary’s Longboard Rage. All local riders of all skill levels are welcome. This 2 KM race through downtown Kitchener will get your head spinning on its shoulders. DM via Instagram for more information.
Enjoy mouth-watering barbequed ribs and chicken with an incredible selection of Ontario craft beers, ciders and cocktails. Live entertainment will keep you and your whole-family wanting to stick around.
The beautiful Mill Race Amphitheater will host the Galt Kilties Concert Band. Enjoy free live music with your community during the cooler evenings of summer. This event is a part of a series of musical events run in partnership with the Central Ontario Musician’s Association.
KW and Area Bug Club welcome you to Bug Out 43, a large VW car show and festival. There will be vendors and a swap meet area. Bring out your VW and show off. There will be trophies awarded and great door prizes too.
Enjoy this free cookout and music festival in the summer sun! The Freedom Marching Project is powering this event to inspire people to fight against racism. Experience Momma’s Gospel Hour and Minifest for family-friendly fun.
Classic cars will line King Street between Water and Frederick Streets, joined by live entertainment, food and a licensed bar area. Favourites from The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Elvis and Roy Orbison will ring your ears in a hit-packed tribute show.
Enjoy the region’s largest annual outdoor dance and music festival produced by Neruda Arts. This free festival will feature music worldwide and unite top talent to celebrate diversity. It is a family-friendly event with interactive activities, makers markets, Dog-Friendly KW and much more.
Watch this rarely seen archival footage and first person accounts of the frontlines of Queer struggle in the Waterloo Region. From police raids to early drag shows and community organizing to the House of Commons.
There is something for everyone at this festival! Rides for kids, including The Cherry Train, Swing Ride and a free dinosaur bouncy castle. Two stages for live entertainment and food trucks with over 70 vendors. This event is volunteer-run, family-friendly festival.
This 19+ event is showcasing a curated cast of murals and music. 868 square feet of murals throughout Tapestry Hall will be there for your enjoyment. There will also be an afterparty hosted in the luxurious Underwing with direct sight to the stage.
Get creative with clay! During this freestyle “claytime,” you can make and paint a small project of your choice. Each ticket includes one clay item to go through the kiln. The instructor will demonstrate basic hand-building techniques and show you how to combine simple forms with sculptural elements to create fun peices for your home.
This goes for all women who ride motorcycles, learn Krav Maga from Dustin Hoffman. The three hour self-defence seminar will cover observation and situational awareness, how to avoid and de-escalate and basic self-defence skills.
Enter the orchard and learn about what a rootstock is and how the different rootstocks affect the growth and maturation of a fruit tree. Guests will be provided with an assortment of local snacks, and complimentary crabapple product to take home.
This annual two-day event celebrates all things Scottish! We have the games day on Saturday and a concert on Friday to help bring the rich history and traditions of Scotland to Cambridge. On July 19, there will be a traditional Games Day. There will be pipe bands featuring musicians from North America.
The Sun Life Uptown Jazz Festival is an annual free music event held in the Waterloo City Centre parking lot. There will be lots to see and do with family activities in the afternoon. A variety of food trucks and beverages.
Envibe in a slice of pie and a delightful tour with costumed staff at the historic Castle Kilbride. Sip on a lemon chiffon tea while indulging in a slice of history. This special exhibit is part of the “Handcrafted History” series.
Enjoy the comedy stylings from the pioneers of Gujarati Stand-up comedy. Four comedians will perform standup, do improv and live podcasts with various celebrity guests. The show is starring Manand Desai, Chirayu Mistry, Deep Vaidya and Om Bhatt.
Upcycle your gently used books, games and puzzles to make room for all your new ones at this latest community exchange. This event is first come, first served and is based on the honour system.
Get ready to be in awe and enjoy a live Elvis tribute performance. Bask in the cars of old and have your picture taken with them. Have your caricature done, grab some popcorn, cotton candy and a hot dog.
Join Gift Tschuma, a disability rights activist and a music composer, as he helps break down the barriers of the music industry. Each session of Breaking the Sound Barriers features guest speakers from the disability community and hands-on opportunities to learn, design and experiment with music.
Join the Kitchener Public Library in this step-by-step guide on building a hotel for pollinators. Help facilitate a space for pollinators who are essential for the growing of food and for thriving gardens.
Help Fightback KW! with graphic design, food service prep, donation collection and/or encampment support. Get to know your unhoused neighbours better and give back to your community.
Celebrate the life of the incredible Erick Traplin! He spent over 35 years bringing joy to families across the region. There are activities available for all ages throughout the day. There will be live performances, special guests, free games, activities and more as we honour Erick Traplin.
Join the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region as it hosts its annual Pride Dance at the Hub in Downtown Kitchener. DJ Jayson Spank will keeping the beats bumping all night long. This event is 19+ so make sure to bring photo ID. The bar is cash only.
Participate in the vibrant knitting and crochet community in KW! Enjoy hearing needles click and having yarns intertwine. Whether you’re an experienced crafter or a beginner, everyone is welcome. Bring current projects or start something completely new, with the supportive members and relaxed environment you’re sure to enjoy.
Practice your English in this small group setting with a trained volunteer right from the comfort of home! All newcomers and immigrants are welcome. You will need an email address and access to a tech device to participate.
Celebrate Pride month with friends and community members at the Princess Cinemas’ screening of Barry Jenkins “Moonlight.” This drama straddling the 1980s depicts three different eras in the life of a young black man. This event is presented in partnership with Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region and Spectrum.
Drop in to the Special Collections and Archives at the University of Waterloo to learn more about Queer holdings. From pulp fiction to plays and highlights from the rest of the collection.
Learn from these two powerful exhibitions that explore the impacts of the Residential School system and the Sixties Scoop. There is a focus on amplifying Indigenous voices and resilience. This event is free.
Learn about the atmosphere-breaking discoveries made by women who have not become household names, yet. Lammin Ahad will discuss the important work done by women who contributed significantly to astronomy and astrophysics.
Get ready for a wonderful weekend celebrating the flavours and colours of India at this fantastic food fair going on from May 24 to 25. This is a free event that is open to the public.
Screen “Lights Out Texas” throughout the month of Way to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and mark Kitchener’s first year as a Bird Friendly City. Raise your awareness about the importance of creating safer environments for wildlife, especially migratory birds.
Are you a newcomer to Canada with a passion for music? Join us for a creative and welcoming event where you can connect with others. Share your cultural background and explore the art of songwriting in multiple languages.
Celebrate the rich history and diverse cultures that call Kitchener home. Get ready to enjoy Willow River Park with fellow community members and learn more about the people who share your corner of the world.
Meet the artists who submitted artwork for the (dis)Ability exhibit held in the Central Library Art Gallery, lower level. This exhibit features work by people of all ages with lived experience with disabilities residing in or with a connection to the Waterloo Region.
Get educated on the basics of climate change, our local emissions and impacts and how we can take action. Adults aged 50+ are invited for a free afternoon of learning and fitness. There are refreshments, a library presentation and an aquafit class.
Open Space is a weekly drop-in program which promotes inclusion within the community. Get together for games, fun and conversation. All are welcome to attend. Each week we will have a selection of board and card games to play. Come on your own or bring your friends every Monday evening.
Ever wanted to learn how to Cricut? The library has you covered. Book a one-hour session with Country Hills staff to learn how to operate the Cricut machine. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday. Cricut and tools provided, please bring all project materials.
Support local theatre and the local playwright Faith Andrew in the premiere of their new play: Best Friends. About two people who are friends, and certainly nothing more. Tickets are available online.
Enjoy this 2SLGBTQIA+, women and non-binary comedy open mic night! This laughs and community-based night is sure to lift your spirits. This open mic is open to new participants and is a pay-what-you-can event.
Spectrum Arts meets weekly on Wednesday as a drop-in program. Each week will feature an art and/or hobby to do with fellow patrons. The goal is to provide a creative safe space for queer and trans people in the community.
This virtual group is for Transgender Folks who are 45+ to support each other and create community. This is a place for sharing, support and connection that means every first and third Wednesday evening of each month.
Enjoy this movie with your community and the Rainbow Coalition of Waterloo Region. After a tragic loss, Manuela travels from Madrid to Barcelona to contact the long-estranged father of her son. She reunites with an old friend, an outspoken transgender sex worker, and makes new friends along the way.
Queer Rub Club Waterloo Region is a 2SLGBTQIA+ group that meets every Sunday morning. Run for approximately 45 minutes and break up into differently paced groups. The running terrain is considered moderate, please wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.
Astrophysics deals with structures of incredible sizes and scales, but what is the biggest thing out there? There will be discussion on what clusters are made from and what we can learn by studying them.
All adult knitters and crocheters are welcome! Socialize with fellow fabric arts enthusiasts. Share pattern ideas, ask questions and bond with your community. Registration is required and drop-ins are welcome.
A night of folk/alternative music at the Yeti Cafe. PetroChemicals from KW playing industrial noise and synth music, Heir Loom also from KW playing dream folk, and Meagan Aversa playing shoegaze. A legendary time for all! $15 at the door or pay what you can, with a fully licensed bar HUZZAH!
This event highlights the firsthand experiences of Muslim women and centers their personal intersecting identities of gender, culture and faith. Guests from the community are invited to meet with Muslim women from diverse cultures and share in traditional coffee, tea and cultural treats.
Explore a massive selection of gently used books, DVDs, CDs, sheet music and puzzles at the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) used book sale. Proceeds go towards scholarships and educational initiatives in the community.
Midnight Run Cafe welcomes you to an electrifying evening of local music. Dumb Crush and Amanda Braum and the Paper Cranes will rock your socks off. Be sure to arrive early to grab a good spot and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
Learn from Kitchener’s Forestry staff for an engaging presentation to learn about how to create healthy, vibrant communities with trees. Be introduced to the practice of urban forestry and dive into the state of Kitchener’s urban forest, including findings from our tree inventory.
Experience an evening of art and cinema at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge! On April 22, enjoy a free indoor screening of How to Train Your Dragon. Enjoy free admission to explore MEANDER, the largest permanent living architecture sculpture in the region inside Tapestry Hall.
Celebrate Easter with a delightful Easter Brunch Buffet at Aqua Lounge and Restaurant. Partake in the delightful brunch with delicious flavors and festive fun! There are live cooking stations that feature fresh, made-to-order dishes.
Join the fun at the Uptown Waterloo Easter Egg Hunt! Explore the participating businesses in Uptown Waterloo. Business owners will hand out treats during this family-friendly event. There is no registration required, just bring your own basket!
Calling all eco-warriors! Join us for a super fun Earth Day celebration at our ninth seasonal clothing swap! Keep your unwanted clothes out of the landfill and find something new and stylish for next to nothing! Proceeds from the swap will directly benefit Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.
