Heya. There's an article in The Record today by Olivia Barrett about the challenges free community festivals like KW Oktoberfest face—especially volunteers. Other than funding, festivals like Afrovibes, Oktoberfest, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, Kitchener Blues Fest, and all the other awesome events we all go to depend on awesome volunteers to make the magic happen. If you're looking for a way to get involved, meet new people, and make the community great, check out festival volunteer opportunities around town. I like volunteering with Oktoberfest so much that I even bought lederhosen.

What to do.

Tuesday, September 15

Scottish Country Dancing in Uptown Waterloo returns on September 15! This season, they've got more to do, including classes in French on October 6 and November 17. No experience, partner, kilt, or ghillies needed. Just bring comfortable clothes, soft-soled shoes, and a water bottle.

Last year’s Patio Paint & Sip with Crock A Doodle was a hit, so TWB Brewing Co-Op is bringing it back for another round! Price includes pottery, paints, firing and one drink ticket. Pottery pieces include a choice of cereal bowl, cocoa mug or handi plate. The event runs rain or shine (I mean, they're going inside. You don't have to paint in the rain.)

Emmanuel Concert Series has True Mountain Laurel with Lia Pappas-Kemps performing folk and country vibes to Emmanuel United Church at 7:30 pm.

Gender Equity Tech WR has Tech ethics - What we know and where we go from here at Builder's Club at 5:30 pm. Paid childcare available!

Waterloo Public Library has Menopause Café: Myths and Truths with Amalia Kartsonas from What the Pause?! at 7 pm at the Eastside Branch.

The KW Library of Things has an Introduction to Consent Workshop from 6pm to 8pm at the Extend-A-Family Office (91 Moore Avenue in Kitchener). This workshop will be led by an expert who has facilitated hundreds of consent and allyship workshops with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region.

Wednesday, September 16

It's Wake & Bake Wednesday at the KWFamous Creative Cafe with treats and tunes spun by Justin Hillis from 11 to 1 pm.

TWH Social in Downtown Kitchener is the home of the Rusty Nail Comedyfest ’26 from September 16 through September 19. Kick off this four-day comedy festival with the opening night show featuring hometown hero Rob Bebenek and “Canadian-born interracial love child” Landry, best recognized for his likeable hair.  

If you're not first, you're last. Rell has Famous Firsts trivia at The Boathouse at 7 pm.

Thursday, September 17

Local environmental group The Nith Valley EcoBoosters is helping to promote the Together For Nature Tour being organized by Ontario Nature and Legal Advocates for Nature's Defence at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton Street, Kitchener from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The tour creates space to hear directly from Indigenous land protectors and youth leaders about what is happening in their homelands, why it matters and how communities across Ontario can work together to support nature, Indigenous rights and a healthier future for all.

Take Back the Night returns to Waterloo Region this year with activities and a march taking place at Gaukel Block in Downtown Kitchener. Join the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region at the Gaukel Block from 6 to 9 pm and make your voice heard!

The catwalk is back for the second annual Together for Care Fashion Show in support of the Waterloo Regional Health Network’s new campus on, well, the campus of the University of Waterloo. The evening features a fashion show, dinner, and a fabulous silent auction to help build a stronger future for healthcare in Waterloo Region. 

Block 3 Brewing as a euchre night starting at 6 pm.

Dani is hosting 80s music bingo at the Rabbid Fox from 8 to 10 pm.

Come out for a fun and friendly evening of darts (the throwing kind, not the smoking kind) every other Thursday at TWB. Individuals are welcome and partners rotate after each round. Each ticket includes a 12 oz beer or non-alc beverage.

Friday, September 18

Giddy up—it’s time for the annual Harvest Hoedown at the St. Jacobs Market. It’s a “boot-stompin’, toe-tappin’ good time” as the market brings the spirit of the countryside to life in a night filled with live country music, line dancing, and the ultimate challenge of the mechanical bull!

Fresh off their Memorial Cup championship, your Kitchener Rangers are back for another season at The Aud. Get your tickets for the home opener versus the Owen Sound Attack on September 18.

BeccaHosts is back at Rural Roots with general trivia starting at 7:30 pm. Reservations recommended.

Benjamin Tree Farm has an outdoor movie night in support of Food4Kids Waterloo Region. They're showing Minions and Monsters starting at 5 pm with a donation of $5-$10.

The JR has a Halo 3 LAN Tournament at The Union from 6 to 11 pm.

TWB Brewing is hosting a fundraiser for the The Union Co-operative Charitable Fund at 7 pm featuring I, The Mountain. The fund helps support tenants and The Union’s mission to buy, build, and preserve affordable homes and community spaces. Entry is pay-what-you-can.

Saturday, September 19

Hear ye, hear ye—it’s time for the 29th Annual Royal Medieval Faire inside Waterloo Park. This year’s event brings you everything you’ve come to expect, from storytelling and swordplay to games, music, and dancing. Entry is only $10, cash at the gate.  

Waterloo Regions' 24th annual Doors Open event offers a stellar lineup featuring gorgeous architecture, local heritage, and fascinating people and their stories. Explore sites like the Perimeter Institute, Holly's Neighbourhood Cafe, Cambridge Arts Theatre, and more.

Phidon Pens is celebrating 18 years of business this weekend. Check out their Visual Journal Ink Art Workshop at 10 am.

Speaking of birthdays....rare Conservation Area is celebrating 25 years with Rock with rare from 11 to 2 pm. There's a free pop-up concert from Whitehorse along with family friendly activities, a kids zone and hands on environmental education stations from rare.

HOPE’s Multicultural Festival of Elmira is back for its fourth year! This year’s theme is “Rooted Here. Growing Together” and is meant to show how shared presence and care create vibrant, connected communities. 12 to 6 P.M. in Gibson Park. 

Bookmytherapy has a Wellbeing Walk in Cambridge at Riverside Park from 4 to 6 pm. The bookmytherapy Wellbeing Walk Series is a free community initiative that brings residents of the Waterloo region together to connect, build friendships, and support mental wellbeing through guided walks in some of Waterloo Region's beautiful parks.

Go on a magical RnB journey filled with goosebumps, singalongs and two-steps at feels. with music from J. Squared, Sea Lion, Nickeo, Bane, and HILLIS. 3 to 7 pm at Revive Karaoke.

Sample the best of local craft breweries, grab a pretzel, and challenge your friends to some classic party games at Craftoberfest. This year, the event moves to THEMUSEUM in Kitchener with live music from Toronto’s best Beatles cover band, The Sh•tty Beatles and a live DJ keeping the fest going all night long.

Experience LUMEN, an exciting night where light, art and technology transform Uptown Waterloo with interactive installations and performances by local and international artists. Runs 6 to 11 p.m.

Hennys Events is hosting the Harvest Moon Market at the Gaukel Block from 2 to 8 pm.

Sunday, September 20

rare has its 17th annual Trail Party from 9 to 1 pm. It's a fundraiser featuring a trail hikes, walks, or runs and live music, a BBQ, and kids activities.

The annual Terry Fox Run in Cambridge happens at Riverside Park starting at 11 A.M. Whether you walk, run, or roll, join them in celebrating the community’s impact on raising funds for cancer research in Canada. 

Dirty Work Studio has RISO 101 from 1 to 3 pm. ​Come learn the basics of risograph printing at Dirty Work Studio (DWS) with Nat Vuong!

Onion Honey plays The Boathouse from 2 to 5 pm.

Monday, September 21

The Princess has a 4k re-release of Akira at 9:15 pm.

Coming up in October.

Goat Fest is back with another day of music, drinks, and so much heat!! Goat Fest is the brainchild of local hot sauce maker Kris Ronan of Ginger Goat Hot Sauces. Get your ticket and experience the heat from more than 30 different hot sauce makers and 15 vendors with craft beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks from across Canada as you listen to awesome live music.

Use code TLDR15 to save 15%.

Ways to get involved.

Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery is excited to unveil Art in Motion, a community fundraiser supporting barrier-free access to art for all! This unique initiative combines bringing the community together, cycling to explore Waterloo Region, and discovering the art that belongs to us all.Teams will compete for an exciting Grand Prize Package, which includes a $1,000 gift certificate for Ziggy's Cycle. Anyone that raises over $1,000 will get a personal tour of artworks visited along the route. Complete the route and activities to earn an exclusive KWAG Tote.

The Centre for Mutual Wellbeing (formerlyCoalition of Muslim Women)'s Radiant Ladies Night Gala on October 3 is a ladies-only fundraiser dinner that brings diverse music and cuisine to a diverse audience. All women are invited to attend! Funds raised will support CMW's core services - Housing, Anti-Hate, and Gender-Based Violence services. All which provide innovative and culturally responsive programs for members of racialized communities - including Muslim women - that address barriers to social and economic inclusion

What to read.

The Return of Frederick Lanes (Ayden Elworthy, The Community Edition)

Bluebird Builds Skills on Deck (Alex Kinsella, The Community Edition)

Mannheim author shares stories of 26 breast cancer survivors in Close to the Chest (CBC KW)

Off the cob: There’s more to southern Ontario’s favourite crop than meets the eye (Jasmine Mangalaseril, CBC KW)