The final Rhythm of 2025

I wanna take a moment to thank you. Every single one of you who chose to join this community, participate, share ideas, and most importantly, read Waterloo Region Rhythm. It means everything to me.

I started writing this newsletter to share the things I love about the place I call home, hoping to build stronger connections with our community. Honestly, I never imagined the response would be this positively overwhelming. Your messages and encouraging words are telling me we're on the right path.

Alright now, tell me what you've enjoyed, what you wanna see more of, or anything else on your mind. I've got ideas brewing, but Waterloo Region Rhythm is built for and by this community, so your voice matters.

Can't wait to see you in 2026. Till then, keep riding the region's rhythm! 💙

As we close out 2025, let's take a minute to celebrate some seriously cool moments that put Waterloo Region on the map this year:

The Blue Jays made it to the World Series after a 32-year drought, and get this, part of their secret weapon came straight from Waterloo. Joshua Pope (BASc '19) and Rowan Ferrabee (BASc '19), co-founders of Trajekt Sports, developed an AI-driven pitching machine that replicates Major League pitches. Their tech is now being used by 30 professional baseball teams. Pretty wild, right?

Kitchener hosted the first-ever Call of Duty League World Championship outside the U.S. Eight teams battled for a $2-million prize pool in June, bringing in an estimated $12-14 million in new visitor spending. Not too shabby for a gaming tournament.

The University of Waterloo was named Research University of the Year for the 18th consecutive year by Research Infosource Inc., securing $286 million in research funding. They also landed at #97 globally in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings and #18 worldwide for producing startup founders according to Pitchbook. Those are some seriously impressive stats.

The Ontario Volleyball Championships broke records when they returned to Waterloo Region in April. A whopping 1,256 teams registered, with 868 teams and over 9,500 athletes competing—that's way up from last year's already-impressive 1,082 teams.

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market turned 50, which feels perfectly timed given how much people care about local, seasonal, and sustainable shopping these days.

Kitchener's Downtown Cycling Grid snagged the 2025 Active Transportation Achievement Award from the Transportation Association of Canada. The 10 kilometres of new and upgraded cycling infrastructure saw over 160,000 users this year alone.

Yeah, our region is pretty incredible. There's so much more to celebrate, and we're gonna keep shining a light on all the amazing things happening here in the new year. Cheers to 2025! 🎉

Okay, picture this: you’re sitting right by the Grand River, sunlight pouring through huge windows, and your only real problem is deciding what to order. That’s Cambridge Mill. It’s a beautifully restored old mill, but the vibe is relaxed, not stuffy. The food? Seasonal, local, and genuinely crave worthy. The kind of place where brunch turns into a long chat, or dinner quietly becomes a celebration. You go for the meal, stay for the view, and leave wondering why you don’t come here more often. It’s my cousin’s favourite 🙂 your’s too? More details here!

What’s your favourite restaurant in the region?

🦆 Region’s latest on Work, Homes & Ways to Help

💼 **Artic Wolf just posted this role for a Security Operations Shift Lead, Conexium is looking for a Customer Success Manager, & intellijoint surgical just posted a need for a Customer Service Manager too!

🏠 This designated heritage home in Cambridge is on the market c. 1832

🎗️Give to get more back! It is ski season & a chance to volunteer at Waterloo Region Ski School, they have four open opportunities, Ontario Summer Games is coming to Waterloo Region in the summer of 2026! This is a gathering of some of the best young athletes that the province has to offer. With over 23 events over the course of 4 days, this is truly a sporting event to behold. Apply to volunteer here.

Let’s explore the beautiful nature around us! Here are some finds from this week:

🎇 Did you see Fomalhaut or Ursids meteor? The first full moon of 2026, January's Wolf Moon, will be a supermoon, meaning it will appear larger and brighter because it will be at or near its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. Although it's the first of three supermoons in 2026, it's the last in a series of four from the back end of 2025. Find out more here.

🌳 Did you find an Eastern White Cedar or a Yellow Birch close to you? Send a picture! Looking for a trail close to you? Here are a few options in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich, North Dumfries

Our adorable and loving furry neighbours of this week:

🐿️ Do you get both these visitors, I see Eastern Grey Squirrel frequently around my place, not American Red Squirrels these days!

🪶 How exciting, one of our neighbours spot a Snowy Owl in Wellesley Township! Did you too? What about a Black Capped Chickadee or a Downy Woodpecker?

🐹 Noodle, a happy and playful guinea pig is open for adoption!

🐶 Zeus can bring a lot of energy into your life, well along with plenty of love!

🐈 Give Doug a chance and she will purr her way into your heart! Yep, Doug is a female calico kitty!!

One of our community members requested adding accessibility information, shoutout to Katherine! I have tried to search and add that information, please verify I might be wrong, human after all 🙂

Matthew James performing at Block three Brewery (all ages)

🗓️ Fri, Jan 2 ⏰ 6:00pm–9:00pm

📍1430 Unit #2, King St N, St.Jacobs (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 music is free! 🎟️ More here

Savon Duo — winter concert: Classical chamber music featuring piano and cello (all ages) (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Fri, Jan 2 ⏰ 7:00pm–9:00pm

📍 Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Floradale Rd E, Floradale

💰 Pay what you can / donation suggested 🎟️ More here

Red Hot Ramble: New Orleans jazz, blues, and funk (all ages)

🗓️ Fri, Jan 2 ⏰ 8:00–10:30pm

📍The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. North, Waterloo

💰 $20-$32 🎟️ Buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

Jazz Jam: Open jam session (all ages) (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 2:00–4:00pm

📍The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. North, Waterloo

💰 it’s free! More here

Live Music @ The Rabbid Fox (all ages) (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 7:30pm–10:30pm

📍The Rabbid Fox Tavern, 123 Pioneer Dr, Kitchener

💰 it’s free! More here

Queen Kong: Award-winning klezmer music (all ages) (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 8:00–10:30pm

📍The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel, 59 King St. North, Waterloo

💰 $20-$32 🎟️ Buy here

Mighty Kin: Trad Irish high‑energy music, and big harmonies (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 9:00pm–12:00am

📍McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, 44 King St. S, Waterloo

💰 it’s free! More here

KW Symphony Woodwind Quintet: Intimate classical performance at the bar with beer and burgers (all ages)

🗓️ Tue, Jan 6 ⏰ 6:30pm

📍Arabella Park Beer Bar, 740 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener

💰 $45 🎟️ buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

Kitchener Rangers vs Barrie Colts: OHL hockey action as the Rangers take on the Colts (all ages)

🗓️ Fri, Jan 2 ⏰ 7:00–9:30pm

📍Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 E Ave, Kitchener

💰 $28-$46 🎟️ buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

KW Titans vs Montreal Toundra: Professional basketball matchup at the Aud (all ages)

🗓️ Sun, Jan 4 ⏰ 3:00–5:30pm

📍Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, 400 E Ave, Kitchener

💰 $22-$102 🎟️ buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

Ontario’s Curling Elite Battle for National Glory!

🗓️ Jan 4 - 7 📍Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave S, Elmira

🎟️ buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

Highly recommend checking Waterloo Public Library’s events at different locations here!! There is a ton of good stuff!!

Winter Stay and Play: Drop-in fun stations for kids and caregivers (all ages)

🗓️ Jan 2-4 ⏰ 10:30am–4:30pm

📍All Cambridge Public Library locations, Cambridge (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 it’s free! 🎟️ More here Cambridge Calendar

Little Elves in Training: Kids sculpt and decorate gingerbread clay ornaments (under 14 with parent or legal guardian)

🗓️ Fri, Jan 2 ⏰ 1:00–2:00pm

📍TWB Brewing, 300 Mill Street #1, Kitchener (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 $31.59 🎟️ buy here

Film "U Are The Universe": Ukrainian sci-fi about a space trucker on a mission after Earth explodes (14+) (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 3:30–6:00pm

📍The Princess Original Cinema, 6 Princess St W, Waterloo

💰 $27.57 🎟️ buy here

Kyle Lucey Stand Up Comedy: international headlining comedian, a staple in Canadian comedy(18+)(♿️ lower level elevator access, unsure of ramp to room)

🗓️ Sat, Jan 3 ⏰ 7:30-10pm

📍TWH Social, King St W, #I, Kitchener

💰$22.63 🎟️ buy here

Leather-crafting Cardholder Workshop: Learn hand-stitching to create a minimalist leather cardholder (under 18 with parent or legal guardian)

🗓️ Sun, Jan 4 ⏰ 1:00–3:00pm

📍Metro Restaurant, 168 Victoria Street North, Kitchener

💰 $55–$235.63 🎟️ buy here (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

Dot-Painting Workshop: Create a winter snowflake rock or candle holder with step-by-step guidance (minors with adult)

🗓️ Tue, Jan 6 ⏰ 6:00–8:00pm

📍Pickle Barrel, 550 King St N Unit C17, Waterloo (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 $40 🎟️ buy here

Grand Harmony Chorus Rehearsal: Welcome 2026 with a four-part harmony rehearsal (no age restrictions listed)

🗓️ Tue, Jan 6 ⏰ 7:00–9:00pm

📍Christ Lutheran Church, 445 Anndale Rd, Waterloo (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 it's free! More here

Paint Nite: Guided painting with drinks and step-by-step instruction (legal drinking age)(♿️ historical building, no elevator to second floor)

🗓️ Tue, Jan 6 ⏰ 6:30–8:30pm

📍E.V.O. Kitchen, 31 Water St S, Cambridge

💰 $47.08 🎟️ buy here

Plaster Painting Workshop: Create a textured winter mountain diptych on wood canvases (18+)(♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Tue, Jan 6 ⏰ 7:00–9:00pm

📍 Ernie's Roadhouse, 7 Queen Street West, Cambridge

💰 $67.70 🎟️ buy here

Paint Night: Create "Frosty & Friend" painting with food and drinks (no age restrictions listed)

🗓️ Wed, Jan 7 ⏰ 6:30–8:30pm

📍 Bobby O'Brien's, 125 King St W, Kitchener (♿️ wheelchair accessible)

💰 $35 🎟️ buy here

Dry Jan Cocktail Event: Sample top non-alcoholic brands and learn to craft zero-proof drinks (no age restrictions listed)

🗓️ Wed, Jan 7 ⏰ 6:00–8:00pm

📍48 Ontario St N, Kitchener (♿️ not shared)

💰 $59.27 🎟️ buy here

West Coast Swing Dance Class: Free beginner lesson, no partner or experience needed (16+)

🗓️ Wed, Jan 7 ⏰ 8:00–9:00pm

📍Remix Swing, 92 King Street South, Waterloo (♿️ not shared)

💰 it's free! 🎟️ reserve here

Prime Skills butchery class: Hands-on meat cutting and cooking fundamentals (19+)

🗓️ Wed, Jan 7 ⏰ 6:00pm–9:00pm

📍Marketplace, 300 King St E, Kitchener (♿️ not shared)

💰 $110 (approx — check link) 🎟️ More here

Speed Dating & Mingling: Classy and fun event with appetizers for singles 40–55 (40–55)(♿️ wheelchair accessible)

🗓️ Wed, Jan 7 ⏰ 7:00–9:00pm

📍State & Main, 375 Hespeler Road Unit 2, Cambridge

💰 $67.70 🎟️ buy here

💌 Spread and share the rhythm with the last person you called!

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with love,

Your Neighbourly Goose | Waterloo Region Rhythm