As someone who was born here, hated it, moved away, and then came back and loved it, a new realization I had about the Waterloo Region was just how much stuff there is to do. If you don’t find something on this list that sparks your fancy, get out there! Hang out at the local bookstore, go to that event you saw on a poster somewhere off the beaten path. Try it out; you might just surprise yourself.
Concerts and Parties
New Year’s Eve Punk Rock formal
Dec. 31
The Union
(124 Sydney St. S.)
The sweeties over at Pink Lemonade Records have a fun time locked and loaded for any punks or -adjacent people in your life for New Year’s Eve this year. DJ Chives will be spinning Emo hits and throwbacks all night long. And there’s a potluck before the show!
Jeremy Ledbetter Trio
Dec. 7
The Jazz Room
(59 King. St. N.)
Jeremy Ledbetter Trio is anything but your grandfather’s jazz band (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). Hot off the heels of their recent full-length album Gravity, released in September 2024, Ledbetter’s trio is a fiery explosion packed with a tight- knit group of jazz hard-hitters. It doesn’t hurt that Larnell Lewis of Snarky Puppy rounds out the band’s drum sound.
One Big Gay Disco
Dec. 14
The Hub
125 King St. S.
One Big Gay Disco returns to The Hub! These guys always go all out. Great DJ sets, fun costumes, a stacked cast of dancers. The theme for this One Big Gay Disco, Love Saves the Day, is bright, bold and beautiful. It’s gonna be colourful, fun and rockin’. Huge love to the organizers, Noah Vella, Alex Hannides and KW Gays and Theys, .
Cozy Stuff
Date: Anytime you want!
Board Games, J&J’s and The Adventurer’s Guild
There’s nothing that can distract you from the harshness of winter or our current geopolitical climate like diving into a massive fantasy board game rule book with a couple of friends. Check out The Adventure’s Guild in downtown Kitchener if you’re into a sort of date night board game night.
If buying a full game is more your speed, J&J’s Cards and Collectibles is the spot. These guys have everything, and they’re more than willing to help you out if you don’t know what you want.
My partner and I love going into J&J’s, finding a friendly sales rep and going, “So… we’re looking for a game for like… two people.” Our personal favorites include War of the Ring, Patchworks (perfect two player cozy game), Escape the Dark Sector, and Twilight Imperium (not for the faint of heart).
Date: Nov 16 – Dec 22 Benjamin Tree Farm:
When I was a kid, we got our Christmas tree from Benjamin Tree Farm every single year. We would all pile into the family 2009 blue Toyota Prius, slug around in the cold trying to find the perfect Christmas tree, and my dad would thanklessly cut the thing down and lug it back to the car. This was a time-honoured tradition for many years.
Eventually, me and my siblings moved out. Put your immediate family through pain to enjoy the holiday season! Forget to wear snowpants and get all wet and miserable! It’s worth it for the holiday spirit.
My favourite part of getting a Christmas tree when I was a kid was always the refreshments at Benjamin Tree Farm. They had the best warm apple cider and hot chocolate (for free! I think…) and bizarrely the orange drink from McDonald’s.
Don’t ask me what this orange drink is called—I don’t know! We just called it orange drink. Have yourself a merry little holiday season and enjoy the tidings and McD’s orange drink.
Giving Back
Giving back is as important to the holidays as indulging yourself. It is good to give. For a quick way to give during this holiday season, consider visiting the Tiny Home Takeout on Duke St. in downtown Kitchener. They accept basically any methods of payment, and their mission is to help feed people every single day. Next time you’re walking by downtown, make a stop by.
Most importantly, have a good holiday season. Try to cherish your family, biological or found. This is a cold time, a time where the days are shorter than ever. Take care of each other and try to live lightly.
Happy Holidays and lots of love from the Community Edition.
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