All city events
The City of Waterloo will be hosting in-person arts and culture events for 2021, when permitted by public health guidelines and in support of physical distancing guidelines.
Find information on all events hosted by the city. Stay updated by following the city events team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.
Current Programming
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The Community Happiness Project |
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The Community Happiness Project aims to connect community members by sharing messages of hope, positivity, welcoming, and connectivity from participants across Waterloo. Currently, Create Waterloo is accepting submissions of self-recorded audio messages and accompanying images (portraits, pictures, and/or art). Audio messages/voice memos should reflect the caring spirit of the community and can include stories, messages, poems, and notes to combat the feelings of isolation that have grown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Recordings should be no more than 30 seconds in length. Share your message through this online form or by calling The Kindness Hotline and leaving a voicemail. Call 519-747-6283 and leave a message after the beep. Starting in March 2021, selected messages can be accessed by using a phone to scan QR codes featured on signage placed in different locations throughout Waterloo. Signage will feature QR codes and the image submitted alongside the message. An online map will show the locations of each of the installations. Community members are encouraged to both record a message and to visit and listen to the messages from other community members. Help us share the hopeful community spirit that Waterloo is known for by showing your support of The Community Happiness Project by submitting a recording and image that reminds us all that we are in it together and will get through it as a community. |
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The Kindness Hotline |
| As part of The Community Happiness Project, call the Kindness Hotline to leave a message for your community. We’re looking for messages you might share with a neighbour or friend who may be struggling; messages of hope and compassion that may boost someone else’s spirits. Messages will be shared through QR codes placed around the city for others to listen to starting this spring. Call 519-747-6283 and leave a message after the beep! |
| Trail Mix - Local Trails & Local Artists |
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Trail Mix is an auditory accompaniment for Waterloo trails.
Trail Mix #1Forwell Trail (University Ave - Manulife/King Street): Google Map Link Featured artists: Eiyn Sof, Young Pilot, Rich Burnett, Elsa Jayne, JoJo Worthington, Christa Mercy, Blankie
Trail Mix #2Walter Bean Grand River Trail (Park Rd/Grey Silo - Grand River Drive): Google Map Link Featured artists: Tragedy Anne, Rufus John, Transstar, Mandippal, Sons of Shanley, STEVEDAVE, Preetam Sengupta, JP SUNGA, Alysha Brilla, Jenna Kessler
Are you an artist that wants to be featured on a Trail Mix? Sign up to be on the Artist Roster. |
| Uptown Tunes |
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Scan the QR code featured on the kiosk or the trailer in the Waterloo Public Square. The playlist features local artists and will be changed multiple times throughout the year. Now playing: Skating Mix Featured artists: Elsa Jayne, I, The Mountain, Tim Moher, Itamar Danziger, and Natassja Debra. |
| Waterloo Park Art Walk |
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The Waterloo Park Art Walk is an outdoor exhibit that stretches though Waterloo Park from Caroline Street to Seagram Drive. The Art Walk features the work of 24 local artists who were selected by a jury to be part of the program. Each of the 24 pieces makes reference to the nature, scenery, and/or landscape of the park. The project is available for viewing through 2021. Participating artists: Anneliese Alonso, Ashley Guenette, August Swinson, Cynthia Matthews, Holly Kurmis, Jackie Levitt, Jax Rula, Jenna Kessler, Jennifer Lynn Cutting-Roy, Jonah Kamphorst, Julie Lacey, Kaliska Gibson, Katelyn Dunstall, Kitahna Roy, Lee Angold, Lucy Bilson, Melika Hashemi, Margarita Kuznetsova, Nancy Peng, nik harron, Nikolina Kupcevic, Peter Schacht, Salma Nasreldin, Trisha Abe |
Spring 2021
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Soap Opera: All Around the (virtual) Square (March) |
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A four-part soap opera series created in partnership with Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre (KWLT). This virtual program will allow audiences to choose to watch via video or via podcast.
More information to come late February 2021. |
Summer 2021
Programming to be held in accordance with Public Health guidelines.
| Campfire (Multiple dates May to October) |
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Bring a blanket or your favourite hoodie and head uptown. Gather around the campfire with friends and neighbours for music, food, fire and more. Dates to be announced soon. |
| Canada Day (July 1) |
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This year, the City will celebrated July 1st in locations throughout the city as neighbourhoods join together to celebrate a series of community picnics. As part of this event, the temporary art installations will be placed in public spaces throughout Waterloo during the month of July.
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Movies in the Park-ing Lot (July to September) |
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We know we're used to Movies in the Park, but let's try the Parking Lot this summer. It's a pop-up drive-in! This is a free event.
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National Indigenous Peoples Days (June 21) |
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Monday, June 21, 2021 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. City of Waterloo has been marking the occasion annually for the past five years, and for the last four years we have partnered with artist Luke Swinson who has created and installed an original art piece on the surface of Waterloo Public Square. This artwork serves as a visual reminder of the territory and land on which our city was founded. |
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Open Streets |
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Open Streets celebrates the livable cities movement, and has taken many forms since its inception. Dates to be announced soon. |
| Art Market (Multiple dates April to August) |
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Art Market features artists, crafters, and makers from Waterloo and surrounding area selling in the public square.
Dates to be announced soon.
Want to be vendor at a market? |
Winter 2021
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Create 31 |
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Challenge yourself to 31 minutes of creativity for 31 days. Take the Create 31 challenge with your community, friends, and family by following along on Instagram @create_waterloo. Create 31 requires no particular skill level. Simply spend 31 minutes per day engaging in a prompt delivered by Waterloo local artists, influencers, businesses, and political representatives. Starting January 1st, prompts will be posted on Instagram. Follow along and use the hashtag #create31 to share the creativity you unfold. People of all ages can participate but those under 12 may need a hand. Stay motivated and inspired around your home this winter. Prompts have started! Head to @create_waterloo on Instagram to get started. To find out more information about Create 31 visit create31.ca
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New Year's Eve |
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There will be no New Year’s Eve celebrations in uptown Waterloo this year, but there is still fun to be had. If you're walking uptown, enjoy curated holiday playlists, or watch augmented reality fireworks from wherever you are. Uptown Holiday Playlist While walking uptown, enjoy a curated playlist of holiday tunes by local artists. QR codes are posted on the kiosk by the tree in Waterloo Public Square, or on the trailer on the north side of The Shops. Local artists featured on the playlist include Elsa Jayne, I, The Mountain, Tim Moher, Itamar Danziger, and Natassja Debra. Virtual Fireworks Stay safe at home with virtual fireworks that can be seen from wherever you are. The City of Waterloo has partnered with Snap’d KW to to host an augmented reality fireworks display. The show will be visible to those who download the free Snap’d HUB app onto their mobile device. Hold your device up to the sky and view the fireworks show from wherever you are. From now until December 28 enjoy a “Virtual Snowfall” effect in the app, and then on New Year’s Eve open the app to do a virtual countdown and watch the fireworks. Residents can download the free app on a mobile device from the Google Play store or the App Store. Once downloaded, select “Holiday Fun & Fireworks” under Events. |
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Winterloo (January 23 to 31) |
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Winterloo is an annual, free festival for all ages that is open to the public and run by the City of Waterloo’s arts and culture team, Create Waterloo. Traditionally hosting winter-themed activities in uptown Waterloo, this year, the festival is adapted to accommodate for the safety procedures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Break away from the winter blues with indoor and outdoor winter-themed activities. This year, Winterloo lets you choose your own adventure with things to see and do on your own schedule. Check out all the fun and exciting things around Waterloo, at home, and online below.
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Fall 2020
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Lumen (September - November) |
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Lumen showcases light based new media, media art, and projection based installations - illuminating Waterloo through art and technology. With the Province of Ontario’s new changes to gathering limits, Lumen Lite moved to an online format with Lumen at Home. Lumen at Home featured a selection of film, music, and virtual art installations in various formats throughout the month. Artist have adapted their installations into engaging online content launching on Saturday September 26, with more content to be released throughout the month. |
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Culture Days (September 25 to 27) |
| Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture and promotes interaction between artists and their community. Visit the Culture Days website for more information on events. |
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Amplify Culture Summit (October 28) |
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Amplify is a full day summit celebrating creativity and innovation in Waterloo. Visit our Amplify page for full details. Cancelled due to physical distancing guidelines. |