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What to do.

Tuesday, September 22

Canadian television and radio personality, Rick "The Temp" Campanelli visits KPL to discuss his memoir, Tempted, in conversation with Anne T. Donahue. 7 pm at the Central Library.

The Princess has a screening of Buddy, which is definitely not a kids' movie, at 9:25 pm.

Wednesday, September 23

The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Musical presents its production of Disney's The Little Mermaid from September 23 to October 4. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The 2026 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes to the Princess Cinema at 7 pm.

Evo Kitchen + Bar has trivia from 7 to 9:30 pm. Teams must call 519-740-9900 in advance to register.

Little Mushroom Dining Lounge has a Gluten Free Tapas Night (entire menu is GF and safe for celiacs) from 5 to 9 pm.

Jon Knight hosts the Weekly Blues Review at White Rabbit from 8 to 11 pm.

Thursday, September 24

The Margins Club has a Quiet Reading Night at Midnight Run Cafe from 6 to 8 pm.

The Boathouse has Beats. Bites & Pints, a laid back evening of great music, good eats, craft beer, cocktails, and waterfront vibes featuring Mike Gatto with Uncle Doobie, Maddie G, and Lord Cheddar from A Crate Night Out spinning Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B!
7 to 10 pm.

VANCAMP is bringing his mix of modern country, rock, folk, and pop to Emmanuel United Church on September 24. Special guests are I, the Mountain and Painting Pelicans. Doors at 6:45 P.M., music and memories at 7:30 P.M.   

Whoopsie Daisy Drinks has Girl Night x Pink Chicken. Created in 2024 by comedians Hilary Henderson and Michelle Forrester, Pink Chicken features an all-female lineup of standup comedians and a one-of-a-kind interactive audience segment.

TWB Brewing has 90s Nostalgia Trivia Night at 7 pm.

The Rabbid Fox has One Hit Wonders music bingo from 8 to 10 pm.

Friday, September 25

The City of Kitchener is celebrating Culture Days with an artist talk and exhibitions featuring Katherine Takpannie & Carol Spooner. The Rotunda Gallery presents works by Indigenous artist Katherine Takpannie and Berlin Tower Artspace works by photographer Carol Spooner in the Berlin Tower Artspace Gallery.

KWFamous is teaming up with some of the most talented creatives around to bring you an entertaining night the last Friday of every month—Famous Fridays. They're kicking things off at Blondies Pizza with the iconic Rachel Hickey, a hauntingly beautiful singer/songwriter out of Toronto who I used to work with at BitBakery, plus KW's own Caleb Khuu, KW Synth, and a spoken word set from Third Spaces Collective.

Lavender Lane Wellness Center has restorative gong yoga at 8 pm. Rest in fully supported, gentle floor poses as gravity and stillness soften the body's quiet holding patterns, while the gong’s vibrations gently resonate through you.

Come spend a cozy fall evening painting pumpkins, meeting new people, enjoying snacks and refreshments, and kicking off the season with Gather & Co at their Pumpkin Painting Social.

Welcome the arrival of fall at Fest2Fall Music Festival, a two-day celebration of live music, great food and drinks at Dickinson Park in Cambridge’s historic Galt neighbourhood. Friday goes country with performances from The Reklaws and Dean Brody, while Saturday turns up the volume with The Glorious Sons, The Trews, Texas King, Feral Minks and Ella Ruth. 

Oktoberfest in September? That’s right, Canada’s Greatest Bavarian Festival returns for another year of celebrating German heritage, culture, food, and beer across official festhallen at historic German clubs and the Willkommen Platz in Downtown Kitchener. This year, Oktoberfest returns to Cambridge at the Gaslight District’s Prostgarten, a free-to-attend event that transforms the district into Cambridge’s “go-to” Oktoberfest Festhallen starting on September 25! 

Over at the Stockyards, Bradley Kerr is performing in the Brew Hall from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

Wave Maker Craft Brewery has AOFm Lite live on stage from 7 to 10 pm.

Sling Sisters are playing at TWB from 7 to 9:30 pm. Blending the best of Country, Americana, and Folk, the Sling Sisters bring warmth, energy, and heart to every performance. 

WRECKERFEST is taking over Short Finger Brewing's Live in a Dive with performances by CUTE, STREET GLOVES, PAVEL STROKE, FISHMONGER, and ONE MORE LANE. $10 with a wrecker pass or $20 at the door.

Sassy Ray is bringing Top Shelf Burlesque to The Sugar Run at 9 pm.

Saturday, September 26

The KW Library of Things has Introduction to Food Preservation: Apples from 12 to 3 pm.

Walk, don't drive to the Kitchener Cat Walk. Meet at 3 pm in Brubacher Green

The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery has an outdoor screening of Agatha’s Almanac (2025) followed by a community discussion, co-presented by LWIFF (Laurier Wellbeing in Film Forum), a film series expanding the definitions of wellbeing. Agatha’s Almanac is a portrait of the filmmaker’s aunt, Agatha Bock, a 90-year-old woman who lives a fiercely independent life revolving around her passion for gardening. 6:30 pm.

You don’t need to go to Kentucky to enjoy old fashioned bluegrass tunes. St. Jacobs Village comes alive with the sounds of bluegrass music, cozy autumn decor, and laid-back country charm at Bales & Boots. Whether you’re a fan of banjos, fiddles, or just soaking in the season, this is your chance to celebrate fall in true St. Jacobs style. 

Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists (KWSA) is hosting a two‑day indoor/outdoor celebration featuring artist‑led workshops, interactive art experiences, and opportunities to create or purchase original artwork.

Celebrate THEMUSEUM’S 23rd Birthday at its aptly-named 23rd birthday party from 10 to 4 pm.

That's not the only birthday. Pinch Cabaret is celebrating five years of its mix of Dance, Puppets, Educational Anatomy Poetry, Improvised Music, Theatre, Local Public Art History & who knows what else! Button Factory Arts, doors at 7:45, show at 8 pm. Pay what you can.

Experience a rooftop morning of timeless music with a tribute to The Beatles, performed by the talented musicians of Kitchener’s Yeti Cafe, presented by the Downtown Kitchener BIA. Blending classic hits with their own creative flair, these local artists bring new life to beloved songs that defined a generation.

As if you needed another reason to visit Wellesley. The annual Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival is back with a day of apple fritters, cider, and butter—and its famous Pancake and Sausage Breakfast! Bring the family for a day of festive fun in Wellesley. 

Keesha Brownie headlines Rusty Nail Comedy at TWH Social at 8 pm while across town, Jesse Singh headlines the show at Morty's Pub, also at 8 pm.

Turk and The Hobbit play the Rabbid Fox at 7:30 pm.

Sunday, September 27

Celiacs of Waterloo Region, head to Bingemans and try our tasty treats with wild abandon at the annual Gluten Free Fest on September 27. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living gluten free for years, the festival brings together some of Canada’s best gluten-free vendors to find your new favourites. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. 

The KW Symphony Brass Quintet is performing in the City of Kitchener rotunda from 11 to 1 pm.

Local Legend Ben Rollo is playing The Boathouse at 2 pm.

Eat on the street at the annual King StrEATery Food Truck Festival in Downtown Kitchener. Over 15 food trucks are rolling into DTK’s Eastend for a celebration of food, community, and fun. There’s also vendors, live music, and games for the whole family. 

Monday, September 28

The Princess Twin with its fancy new seats has as a screenings of Primetime at 1:45, 4:15, 6:45, and 9:30 pm.

What to read.

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest for Families (Cora Kuehl, Explore Waterloo)

Fall Pick-Your-Own Farms in Waterloo Region (also Cora Kuehl, Explore Waterloo)

Pinch Celebrates Five Years (Zack Mason, Community Edition)