Let’s go to the movies! Princess Cinemas is screening the classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life this Wednesday, December 18th at 6:30PM. Tickets are FREE with a non-perishable Food Bank Donation at the door! Screening takes place at the Princess Original Cinema at 6 Princess St. W, Waterloo. The Yearly tradition is back! See a fan favourite holiday movie and do some good! Reserve your seat ahead as this screening is likely to sell out!
Ring in the Winter Solstice at Huron Natural Area this Saturday, December 21 4:00PM – 6:00PM. Meet at the Park’s Main Entrance on 801 Trillium Drive, Kitchener. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with a forest bathing experience led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. No actual bathing allowed! Please keep fully (and warmly) dressed and out of any water! This will be a gentle and mindful stroll along the trails as you explore the Huron Natural Area. There will be moments of pause to observe the seasonal changes and absorb the benefits of being in nature.
Enjoy the beautiful Gift of Lights while Giving a Gift to your community. Wednesday December 18th from 5:00PM to 9:00PM is “Walk Only Night”. 50% of all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Food Bank of the Waterloo Region. Tickets are $12.95 per person. Bask in the beauty and wonderment of a breathtaking 40 foot twinkly LED tree, over 300 animated and static light displays and light tunnels. Instead of the usual drive through, take your time and stroll through the beautiful light displays this evening while supporting your local Food Bank.
Click here – Activity search | Active Kitchener – to see what’s happening at the Victoria Hills Community Centre
Click here – Activity search | Active Kitchener – to see what’s happening at the Huron Community Centre
Click here – Activity search | Active Kitchener – to see what’s happening at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Centre
Looking for fun ways to get Out and About in Waterloo Region? Beyond your neighborhood association, there are tons of exciting activities and events to explore!
Did you know… Your Kitchener Public Library may be one of the best free resources around.
You can borrow so much more than just books and movies these days. They have museum passes, computers, musical instruments, board games, outdoor games and sports equipment just to name a few things. You can even get a carbon monoxide monitor so you can test the air quality. Who knew?? Check out all the cool things you can get from your Kitchener Public Library!
This Week
Holiday Snowman Painting
Wednesday, December 18
6:30PM
$35
Three Kretans Greek Restaurant – 151 Frederick St. Kitchener
Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of painting “Holiday Snowman” at the Three Kretans Greek Restaurant. Come order some amazing Greek food/beverage from their mouthwatering menu while you paint.
https://socialart.ca/product/three-kretans-greek-restaurant-dec18-holiday-snowman/
Rusty Nail Comedy
Wednesday, December 18
8PM – 10PM
$10
TWH Social – King St W I, Kitchener
Every Wednesday Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social in downtown Kitchener brings a sweet lineup of amateur, semi pro, pro, beginner comics to show off their stuff. All for only $10 BUCKS. The show is finished off by a pro comic and hosted by Rusty Nail producer Sandy MacFarlane. Come laugh with us.
https://www.rustynailcomedy.com/
Book Lovers Social
Thursday, December 19
7PM – 8:30PM
FREE
12 Water St. S, Cambridge
You bring your book. I’ll bring mine. Together we’ll read. A place for introverts and extroverts to connect. Let’s get together for shared reading time. We each read whatever book we choose to bring for 1/2hr and then we talk all things books!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/book-lovers-social-tickets-986845751207?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Gingerbread Exhibition
Friday, December 20 & Saturday, December 21
11:00AM – 8:00PM
Tapestry Hall – 74 Grand Ave. S. Cambridge
Gingerbread house decorators of all ages and skill levels are invited to display their masterpieces in our venue! The public will be invited through our doors on Friday, December 20th and Saturday, December 21st to view the creations and vote for their favourites!
Gingerbread Exhibition at Tapestry Hall
Milk n’ Cookies Christmas Market
Saturday, December 21
11:00AM – 3:00PM
FREE
Button Factory of Arts – 25 Regina St. S, Waterloo
It’s time to get your jingle bells and slayyy the day away. Step inside, set your mittens by the fire, and embrace the cheery tidings of the holidays. And yes! They’ll be cookies. Optional $2 donation towards the Turkey Drive for the House of Friendship’s Christmas Food Program Kitchen at entry.
https://allevents.in/waterloo/milk-n%E2%80%99-cookies-christmas-market/200027582633016
Bite Sized History: Christmas
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22
10:00AM – 4:00PM
FREE (included with park admission $4.50)
Woodside National Historic Site – 528 Wellington St. N, Kitchener
Cozy up for the winter by the historic wood burning stove and discover the Christmas of yester year. Explore the beautifully decorated King Family home with Christmas garland, ornaments, and awaken your senses with the sweet smell of Victorian simmer pots.
https://calendar.kitchener.ca/events/Detail/2024-12-21-1000-Bite-Sized-History-Christmas
Gaes and Wrights Christmas
Sunday, December 22
2:00PM – 5:00PM
FREE
The Falls Road Pub – 296 Victoria St. Kitchener
The Gaes are gonna come out of retirement for ONE SHOW!! We are joining our Celtic forces with The Folksy Wright Stripes, the Christmassy Wright Family, and together we shall make all things Wright in the world!! There will be caricature drawings by AJ Manzanabes and Santa Claus will be there too. Don’t forget to order some good grub from The Falls Road Pub while you are there.
A Christmas Kirtan
Sunday, December 22
3PM – 6PM
FREE
Button Factory Arts Centre – 25 Regina St. N, Waterloo
Join us for a warm celebration of friendship and music. Together we can experience delight in mantra meditation (kirtan) were we focus on the hearing and chanting of transcendental sound. Simply by hearing and repeating these sacred sounds you can find relief from stress and anxiety and become immersed in spiritual happiness.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-christmas-kirtan-tickets-1108905449049?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Holiday Events:
KWFamous Holiday Pop-Up Shoppe
December 1 – 24
Wednesday – Friday 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM – 8:00PM
Sunday 8:00AM – 6:00PM
Carl Zehr Square – 200 King Street West
Step into the KWFamous Holiday Pop Up Shoppe – a Wonderland of Local Gifts & Holiday Cheer! Returning for the third year in a row, this festive shoppe is your go-to destination for unique, heartfelt gifts that bring joy and support local creators.
https://kwfamous.com/pages/holiday
Winter Ice and Lights
November 18 – January 1
5:00PM – 11:00PM
FREE
Central Park – 615 King Street East, Cambridge
Explore Cambridge’s Central Park as it transforms into a winter wonderland with stunning light displays! Take a self-guided walk with friends, family, or solo, and don’t forget to snap photos and share with #cbridgewinterfest.
https://www.cambridge.ca/en/parks-recreation-culture/winter-ice-and-lights.aspx#
Gift of Lights
November 22 – January 4
5:00PM – 9:00PM
Experience the magic and wonder of the Region’s most spectacular and dazzling light displays this holiday season. Bask in the beauty and wonderment of Gift of Lights; a drive through experience, featuring a breathtaking 40 foot twinkly LED tree, over 300 animated and static light displays and light tunnels.
Looking Ahead
Be Gay, Do Crafts: Queer Crafternoon
December 28, January 25, February 22, March 22
2:00PM – 4:00PM
FREE – Registration Required
Kwartzlab – 145 Bedford Road, Kitchener
Join us for a casual afternoon of 2SLGBTQ+ pride-themed crafts and community-building! We will have supplies and seasonal craft ideas prepared that you can drop in and create, or bring your own project to work on in queer company. This is a drop-in event, come and stay as long as you’d like.
Mindfulness Meditation 4 Week Course
Monday, January 6, 13, 20 & 27
2:00PM – 3:30PM
FREE – Registration Required
Central Library – 85 Queen St. N, Kitchener
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present. To pay attention to what is happening to the mind, body, and surrounding, while cultivating our sense of curiosity and self-compassion.
https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=109399
Lord of the Rings Screening Series
Thursday, January 2 & Friday January 3 & Saturday January 4
Various Times
FREE
Central Library – 85 Queen St. N, Kitchener
Join us for a 3-day Lord of the Rings movie marathon in honour of J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday! Get in the spirit with LOTR Meme Bingo and get a LOTR themed temporary tattoo with the Prinker Temporary Tattoo Printer.
https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/series?sn=Lord+of+the+Rings+Screening
Stitch Social
Saturday, January 11
2:00PM – 4:00PM
FREE
Central Library – 85 Queen St. N, Kitchener
Join our vibrant knitting and crochet group, where needles click and yarns intertwine! Whether you’re an experienced crafter or a beginner, everyone is welcome.
https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=150847
Ongoing Groups
Buddy Choir at Our Studio
Mondays
6:30PM – 8:00PM
FREE
Our Studio – 109 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener
Home | Our Studio (ourstudiokw.com)
Tech Help Series
Mondays
6:00PM – 7:00PM
FREE – Registration Required
Country Hills Library – 1500 Block Line Rd, Kitchener
https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/series?si=112599
Jack Astor’s Trivia
Tuesdays
7:30PM – 9:00PM
FREE
Jack Astor’s Bar & Grill – 2960 Kingsway Drive #15A Kitchener
Jack’s Tuesday Night Trivia (Kitchener) (free) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Crescendo Choir
Wednesdays
10:00AM – 11:00AM
FREE
Glencairn Church – 725 Erinbrook Dr, Kitchener
https://teachers.wrdsb.ca/crescendo/
Open Space at Fairview Mall Food Court
Thursdays
1:00PM – 3:00PM
FREE
Fairview Mall – 2960 Kingsway Dr. Kitchener
Events Archive – (eafwr.on.ca)
Game On! Scrabble
Thursdays
6:30PM – 8:30PM
FREE
Forest Heights Library – 251 Fischer-Hallman Rd, Kitchener
https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=93397
**If you would like your event or activity featured in our What’s Happening In Your Neighbourhood post, please reach out to us at [email protected]**
