Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Summer festival season returns to the region

Full calendar of activities and events across the region this summer
CambridgeToday Staff

NEWS RELEASE
EXPLORE WATERLOO REGION
******************************
The summer festival season in Waterloo Region is back in full swing.

After two years of virtual events and cancellations due to the pandemic, the calendar is once again dotted with in-person events catering to all interests and ages. Throughout the summer months, festivals are happening around Waterloo Region almost every weekend.

“From music to culture and cars to food, our world-class festivals are just one more reason to visit Waterloo Region this summer,” says Michele Saran, Chief Executive Officer of Explore Waterloo Region. “And, since most of the festivals take place over several days, visitors to the region can take advantage of the Staycation Tax Credit and extend their stay so they can share in even more incredible experiences and make new memories.”

Some of the festivals across Waterloo Region this summer include:

JUNE

  • KW Multicultural Festival — Share food, fun, music and dance from around the world at the 55th annual KW Multicultural Festival. One of the largest of its kind in Canada, it annually draws upwards of 40,000 people to Victoria Park over its two- day run. This year’s celebration takes place June 25th and 26th between noon and 6 p.m. each day.

JULY

  • Kultrun World Music Festival — Now taking place in St. Jacobs, the Kultrun World Music Festival is a free, family friendly celebration of music from around the world. Taking place July 7th to 9th at the historic village of St. Jacobs, it features emerging and well-known global artists and interactive workshops for children and adults covering everything from drumming circles to theatre to dance. Also browse international vendors offering arts, crafts and food.
  • Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show — Mouth-watering barbecued ribs and chicken, a diverse selection of frosty Ontario craft beers, live entertainment and a kids fun zone take over Victoria Park July 15th to 17th. Ribfest features smoky, saucy and savoury ribs and chicken being smoked and grilled from six award-winning ribbers, plus 14 other food vendors and the wares of 20 Ontario craft breweries and cideries.
  • Cambridge Scottish Festival — Celebrate Scottish heritage and culture at Churchill Park July 15th and 16th. The Cambridge Scottish Festival features traditional Scottish games, musicians from across North America, Highland dance competitions and a host of vendors and attractions.
  • Sunlife Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival — The annual three-day free music festival is back, honouring all types of jazz. The Sun Life Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival features a full lineup from July 22nd to 24th right beside Waterloo City Hall.

AUGUST

  • Kitchener Blues Festival — Experience the largest true blues festival in Canada — which is promising to be even bigger in 2022 as it celebrates its 20th year. The TD Kitchener Blues Festival features the biggest acts, killer merchandise and an unforgettable weekend. The free-admission festival takes place August 4th to 7th on three stages throughout downtown Kitchener.
  • Moparfest — Canada’s largest all-Mopar car show returns to the Showgrounds in New Hamburg August 20th and 21st. Moparfest features more than 1,600 show vehicles, and welcomes 20,000 people throughout the weekend.
  • Sun Life Financial Waterloo Busker Carnival — Four-days of non-stop family fun comes to Uptown Waterloo with the Sun Life Financial Waterloo Busker Carnival. Acrobats, comedians, magicians and fire-breathers are ready to entertain in this free event (tips are encouraged for your favourite performers!). Sample some food, shop with on-site vendors, try some midway games and take a ride on the ferris wheel. The event takes place August 25th to 28th.

SEPTEMBER

  • Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival — The last Saturday in September is once again held for the popular Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival. Showcasing the best of local flavours and free tours of local farms and the A.W. Jantzi Cider Mill, the festival also features a pancake and sausage breakfast with booths serving up fresh apple fritters, apple dumplings and other savoury dishes. Between the street mall and the arena, enjoy crafts, food, street performers and demonstrations. The 2022 festival will be held September 24th.
  • Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest — The biggest Bavarian celebration outside of Munich takes place in Waterloo Region, and is returning to an in-person celebration this year!  From September 23rd until October 15th, Oktoberfest offers live music, a parade, several festival halls throughout the region, kids activities and many more special events.

For more information on things to do this summer, please visit explorewaterlooregion.com. Connect with Explore Waterloo Region on social media; Like it on Facebook and Follow on Twitter @ExploreWR and Instagram @explorewaterlooregion.

******************************