Good morning my friends!
As promised, I am back with fun ideas for this holiday season. What do you think, how many activities would you opt into? I really want to know if like any of them and / or if you went to an event listed here.
Before we dig in, I want to say a BIG thanks to you for interacting and growing this community. I have always loved sharing stories, happenings and history with friends and family and now it warms my heart knowing my friend / family network has grown so large! 🤗 Wish you a wonderful time during these holidays, happy Solstice, Hanukah and anything else I might be missing (enlighten me - I’d like to know) before the next edition is out. Shine bright and keep riding our region’s rhythm! Let's do this.
✨ Light Displays to See Right Now in Waterloo Region ✨
As of Today, December 18, Waterloo Region is glowing in full festive mode. Get your kids, friends, grandparents, or just your inner child, these local light displays give instant holiday cheer. Here’s where to go, when to go, and what it’ll cost you (spoiler: most are free!!):
✨ Sparkles in St. Jacobs
📍 Village of St. Jacobs, 25 Benjamin Rd E, St. Jacobs
📅 Now through the holidays (lights remained after November events)
💰 Free
Offering a charming, old-fashioned Christmas vibe. Think twinkly lights, cozy storefronts, and serious Hallmark-movie energy. Perfect for an evening stroll or post-dinner wander.
🚗 Gift of Lights (Drive-Thru Experience)
📍 Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
📅 Till Jan 3, 2026
💰 Paid entry (per vehicle – pricing varies, check here)
Prefer to enjoy your lights from the warmth of your car? Gift of Lights is perfect then. Tune to 103.3 FM for holiday music. Pyjamas optional, hot chocolate highly recommended!
🌈 Wonders of Winter
📍 Waterloo Park, 100 Father David Bauer Dr, Waterloo
📅 Till Jan 3, 2026
💰 Free (donations welcome)
My favourite 😇 it’s cheerful, walkable, and totally magical — especially after fresh snowfall. Great for all ages, date nights, or a casual winter evening out.
🎥 Old Post Office Digital Holiday Light Show
📍 Old Post Office, 12 Water St S, Cambridge
📅 Holiday Show: Till New Year
🕖 Thu–Sun evenings, multiple 20-min shows
💰 Free
The historic Old Post Office transforms into a moving canvas of colour and light with this digital projection show. Watch from your car or bundle up outside!
🕎 Chanukah Menorah Lightings
📅 Dec 14–22, 2025
💰 Free | All welcome
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at one (or more!) of these community menorah lights:
Waterloo Public Square
Cambridge City Hall
Kitchener City Hall – on Sunday, Dec 21
✨ If you’ve been saying “we’ll go next week,” this is next week. Grab your mittens, load up the car, and go soak up the glow!
Kiss Me Under the… Ethernet Cables? The Mistletoe Trail Got Creative
Waterloo Region reinvented mistletoe, and honestly? It's magical.
Seven local artists scattered whimsical installations across the region, each one a photo-worthy moment waiting to happen.
In Cambridge, Jordan Shaw wove stripped ethernet cables into "Holiday Network", a nod to his grandmother's rug hooking meets our digital age. At night, solar lights blink like tiny modems on the Pedestrian Bridge. It's surprisingly romantic.
📍In the centre of the Cambridge Pedestrian Bridge
Downtown Kitchener's "GlowToe" by Skyler Dietze turns the DTK Lightbox into a glowing wooden starburst. By day it's sculptural. By night? Pure magic. Perfect for that holiday card photo you've been putting off.
📍DTK Lightbox, (behind Kitchener City Hall in the Rotary Plaza), 200 King St W, Kitchener
In Waterloo, Heather Kocsis created "Mistletoe in Motion"—a kinetic sculpture tucked in the festive Mistletoe Lane that actually moves with the wind.
📍Alley beside McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill in Uptown Waterloo, 44 King St S, Waterloo
Over in Wilmot, Laura Kwok's "Mistletoe Tea Party" features a handcrafted teapot pouring mistletoe at Castle Kilbride, complete with a Christmas robin and grey jay painted on.
📍Arch at the base of the front stairs at Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder's Rd W, Baden
The trail continues through Wellesley, "To Take and Give" is 📍located on the front porch area of inSeason Home+Garden, located in the Village of St. Clements in Wellesley Township, 3585 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements
North Dumfries, Artist T.J. Henhawk's mistletoe entitled "Sacred Gatherings" is in 📍the pavilion in Centennial Park, located in the Village of Ayr; Campbell Trail, Ayr
and Woolwich, Artist Elise Conlin's mistletoe creation is located at📍TriSisters Art House, located in the Village of St. Jacobs, 1370 King St N, St. Jacobs
Did you know it’s an Ontario Tourism Award! Yes, go check it out!
Roam, Revel & Razzle - Round 2 (Week ahead)
Yes, still plenty more options, so I broke them up in categories to make it easier for you to choose. Let me know if you like this better or prefer viewing events organized by dates. ✔️
From Thur, Dec 18 - Wed, Dec 24
Connection & Grounding
📓 Journalling together |📍Princess Cafe, 46 King St N, Waterloo | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 5:15 PM - 6:45 PM | 🎫 FREE (save a spot here)
♾️ Self identify as neurodiverse & want to meet others who identify as the same |📍36 Ontario St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save a spot here)
🧘♂️ Men’s breath-work circle |📍Young st, St Jacobs | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save a spot here)
🕯️Bring in the Light: Winter Solstice Gathering |📍1883 Sawmill Rd, Conestogo | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 07:00 PM – 08:15 PM | 🎫 $40 (email [email protected])
🌊 Grand River Water Ceremony |📍Otterbein Kayak Launch, 519 Otterbein Rd, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 8:00 AM | 🎫 FREE
🎁 Bringing Holiday Magic to 100 Families |📍Deer Ridge area | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 🎫 FREE (save a spot here)
🗣️ Acappella improvisation involving the voice and the body |📍508 Duke St W, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 🎫 $22.63 (buy here)
🍽️ Winter Solstice Feast |📍Victoria Park Pavilion, 80 Schneider Ave, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
Active—ities
🏂 Trails are covered with 12” of snow❗Check the weather & grab the right gear before a walk, hike, snowshoeing, fat biking |📍Trails of our Region (Let me know if you’d like me to get a list going) | 🗓️ Any day weather agrees
👯♂️ Line Dancing |📍Rural Roots, 21B Industrial Drive, Elmira | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 By Donation
👯♀️ Dancing Class (beginners) |📍25 George St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 $27.96 (buy here)
👯♀️ Salsa Bachata Class (beginners) |📍TenC Dance Co, 329 King St E, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 8:15 PM - 12:00 AM | 🎫 $13.54 (buy here)
🏒 Kitchener Rangers vs Owen Sound Attack |📍The Aud, 400 East Ave. Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 $28-46 (buy here)
🏒 Holiday Pick-up Hockey | Fun on the rink the Kitchener Rangers play |📍400 East Ave, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 🎫 $20 (details & tickets)
🏃♀️ Run Club |📍Activa Sportsplex, 135 Lennox Lewis Way, Kitchener | 🗓️ Mon, Dec 22 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
Art—ivities
🖌️ Paint Nite KW Humane Society Fundraiser | 📍250 Riverbend Dr, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | 🎫 $45 (buy here)
🎨 Paint Nite at Score Pizza |📍80 Waterloo Street, Waterloo | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | 🎫 $47.08 (buy here)
Gamifun
🎄Musical Bingo – Christmas Edition |📍EVO Kitchen & Bar, 31 Water St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Thu, Dec 18 ⏰ 06:45 PM – 09:30 PM | 🎫 FREE (call ☎️ 519-740-9900 for reservation)
🔢 🎶 Music Bingo at The Rabbid Fox | Holiday Hits, Call ☎️ 519-748-2404 to reserve it fills up fast |📍123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎄Musical Bingo – 2nd Edition |📍EVO Kitchen & Bar, 31 Water St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 06:45 PM – 09:30 PM | 🎫 FREE (call ☎️ 519-740-9900 for reservation)
🧠⌛ Trivia Night at Farm League Brewing | Holiday Music |📍295 Ainslie St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 FREE + a free round for the winning team
💑 Ugly Sweater Speed-dating 27-38 |📍TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St #1, Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 $38.61 (buy here)
🧠 Trivia on the patio |📍Rural Roots, 21B Industrial Drive, Elmira | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | 🎫 By donation
🎄 Friendly Feud: Christmas Edition |📍EVO Kitchen & Bar, 31 Water St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 06:45 PM – 09:30 PM | 🎫 FREE (call ☎️ 519-740-9900 to reserve)
🎲 Family Sundays: Games + $5 Kids Meals |📍Four Fathers Brewing Co., 125 Guelph Ave, Cambridge | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 11:30 PM - 3:00 PM & 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
🎟️ Christmas Lottery |📍WRHN @ Midtown, 835 King St W, Kitchener | 🗓️ Tue, Dec 23 ⏰ 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
🧠 Christmas Trivia |📍Kelsey’s, 525 Hespeler Road, Cambridge | 🗓️ Tue, Dec 23 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (call ☎️ 226-646-4444 to reserve)
Live Music Makes me Alive!
🎸 Dan Walsh is playing at Strykerz Kitchen & Bar | His style is slide guitar blues |📍120 Ottawa St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎶 Waterloo County Carollers in The Gaslight District |📍64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge| 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎷 Rob Szabo & Steve Strongman come together for the 21st time to do an annual show |📍Room 47, 47 King St N, Waterloo | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM + afterparty | 🎫 $40 (buy here)
👨👨👦👦 👩👩👧👧 Choir! is a fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience into performers |📍Centre in the Square, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎫 $51.25-68.50 (buy here)
🤘 Headstones & Andy Colonico come together for a rocking Christmas Bash |📍Elements**,** 90 King St W, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 $85.21-96.75 (buy here)
🎺 Brewer’s Brass Holiday Concert |📍TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Unit 1, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM | 🎫 Pay-What-You-Can
🎸 Live music by Dawson & Duncan |📍Rural Roots, 21B Industrial Drive, Elmira | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎫 By donation
🧑🎤👨🎤 Live Music at The Rabbid Fox | By Juneyt & Craig Call ☎️ 519-748-2404 to reserve |📍123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎤 Open Mic at Farm League Brewing |📍295 Ainslie St S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Tue, Dec 23 ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
👥 🎵Rural roots band A Christmas Eve Special |📍Rural Roots, 21B Industrial Drive, Elmira | 🗓️ Wed, Dec 24 ⏰ 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | 🎫 By donation
Performances
👯 Hip Hop/Break Dance & Theatre |📍15 Wellington St, Cambridge | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ Opt 1:5:30PM-6:00PM Opt 2:7:00PM-7:30PM | 🎫 $13.54 (buy Opt 1: here & Opt 2: here)
🎥 Deeply Rooted Film Screening: GHOST HUNTING |📍KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thu, Dec 18 ⏰ 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (donation welcome)
🤣 All-women stand-up comedy showcase |📍Whoopsie Daisy Drinks, 1 Victoria St S #Unit 1, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM | 🎫 $17.31 (buy here)
🕺Elvis Tribute Musical |📍Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎫 $62.75-97.25(buy here)
🏟️ A John McDermott Family Christmas |📍Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎫 $65.75 (buy here)
💃 Swing Dance Year End Show by Remix Swing |📍Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St W, Waterloo | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 8:15 PM | 🎫 $31.59 (buy here)
🤣 Comedy by Chris Robinson (one of the best in Canada) |📍TWH Social, King St W #I, Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 & Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM | 🎫 $22.63 (buy Opt 1 here & Opt 2 here)
🙆♀️ Drag Marvellous |📍AOK Craft Beer + Arcade, 165 King St W #Unit B03, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 $17.31 (buy here)
🤣 Open Mic Comedy |📍Revive Karaoke, 28B King St N, Waterloo | 🗓️ Tue, Dec 23 ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
X-tra Holiday Fun
🤶Christmas Sweater Pajama Party | full agenda here |📍Chick-fil-A 405 Hespeler Road, Cambridge | 🗓️ Thur, Dec 18 ⏰ 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🛍️ Last Minute Market |📍TWB Brewing, 300 Mill St, Unit 1, Kitchener | 🗓️ Thu, Dec 18 ⏰ 05:00 PM – 09:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🛍️ Winter Artisan Night Market | 📍Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🧑🎄 Christmas in Breslau | 📍Breslau Community Centre, 100 Andover Drive, Breslau | 🗓️ Fri, Dec 19 ⏰ 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎄Starry Night | Drift back to Christmases long ago | 📍Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Road, Kitchener | 🗓️Fri, Dec 19 and Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🎫 $19.56-35.20 (buy here selling fast)
🎄 The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who in The Gaslight District |📍64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎬 The Grinch (2019) on the Big Screen |📍64 Grand Ave S, Cambridge | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🍪 Great Gingerbread Throwdown |📍Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🛍️ Winter Artisan Market | 📍Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🌸 Kids Crafting Workshops |📍3677 Nafziger Rd, Wellesley | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 🎫 FREE (save your spot here)
🛍️ Holiday Pop Up Shoppe | Mix mingle and shop after hours | 📍741 King St W, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sat, Dec 20 ⏰ 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 🎫 FREE
🎅 Brunch with Santa at the Aqua Lounge | 📍Crowne Plaza 105 King St E, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 🎫 $20-45 (buy here)
🎄 Christmas at Doon |📍Doon Heritage Village, 10 Huron Rd, Kitchener | 🗓️ Sun, Dec 21 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 04:00 PM | 🎫 (included with admission)
What’s your favourite thing about the holidays?
Forward this email to someone you haven’t spoken to, in a while and want to reconnect! 💌
🆕 Someone forwarded you this email? Join in —
See you next week! Until then, keep riding the region’s rhythm!
with love,
Your Neighbourly Goose | Waterloo Region Rhythm
