Celebrate the season at these holiday events

Based at Kitchener City Hall, the annual Christkindl market recreates the outdoor markets in towns and cities across Germany.

‘Tis the season for Christmas markets, colourful light displays and festive sing-alongs!

Check out our guide to local holidays events.

Cambridge

Old Post Office Digital Light Show

When: Nov. 27 to Jan. 1

Where: Old Post Office in Cambridge

The Old Post Office turns into a brilliant spectacle for the season. Check it out the 20-minute light displays every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Cambridge Holiday Market

When: Dec. 5 to Dec. 7

Where: City hall and Cambridge Centre for the Arts

Finish off your holiday shopping list at this annual Christmas market featuring more than 100 artisans, crafters and makers.

Dramatic reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

When: Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: St. Petersburg Lutheran Church at 810 King Street East

Cost: $15, donation for the Cambridge Food Bank

Phil Klein’s Unsilent Night

When: Dec. 5

Where: Downtown Cambridge

Phil Klein’s Unsilent Night is a twist on traditional carolling, along with interactive light installations.

Cambridge Holiday Market

When: Dec. 5 to Dec. 7

Where: Cambridge City Hall

City Hall transforms into a holiday market with almost 60 local artists selling unique gifts for the season. There will also be live entertainment and food trucks on site.

Hespeler Santa Claus Parade

When: Saturday, Dec. 6 at 12 p.m.

Where: Groh Ave. to Guelph Ave. to Sheffield Street

Santa Claus is coming to Hespeler. After the Santa Claus parade, Old Saint Nick will be handing out bags of goodies at the Scout House in Forbes Park. Donations will also be collected for the Cambridge Food Bank.

Watch Elf on the big screen

When: Dec. 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Gaslight District

Cost: Free

Bring your lawn chair – and a blanket! – for this outdoor screening of Elf.

Chanukah Menorah Lighting

When: Dec. 15

Where: Cambridge City Hall

The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life invites the community to celebrate Chanukah with a menorah lighting, holiday songs, traditional treats and a message of peace.

Watch The Grinch on the big screen

When: Dec. 20 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Gaslight District

Watch The Grinch try to ruin Christmas on the big screen, but don’t forget to bring a lawn chair and blanket!

Kitchener

Gift of Lights

When: Nov. 21 to Jan. 3

Where: Bingemans

Check out more than 300 animated and static light displays along two drive-thru tunnels.

Christkindl Market

When: Dec. 4 to Dec. 7

Where: Downtown Kitchener, Carl Zehr Square

Cost: Free

Kitchener’s beloved holiday market returns with vendors, live entertainment, an ice sculpture competition, maple taffy, blacksmithing demonstration, ice skating and fire eaters and jugglers. There is also a kid’s zone with a petting zoo, midway rides, Christmas cookie decorating and a visit from Santa Claus himself!

KrampusKindl 2025

When: Dec. 5 to Dec. 9

Where: Gaukel Street

A Christmas market for the Grinch in your life with unusual gifts from local artists and vendors.

Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert

When: Dec. 11 and Dec. 12

Where: Centre in the Square

Cost: $50.50 - $100.50

A screening of the Christmas classic with the musical score performed live by Glatz Concerts.

KW Symphony Presents: Holiday Pops

When: Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Where: St. Matthews Centre

Cost: $25 - $60

Sounds of the season with the KW Symphony, Grand Philharmonic Choir and special guests.

Choir! Choir! Choir! Unsilent Night: An Epic Holiday Singalong

When: Dec. 19 at 8 p.m.

Where: Centre in the Square’s Main Theatre

Cost: $50 - $70

Choir! Choir! Choir! returns to Waterloo Region for another sing-along. Get out your holiday best (or worst) and warm up your vocal cords! All you have to do is show up and sing your heart out to some holiday classics and newer pop hits. The best part is – you don’t need any experience!

Kitchener Rangers Holiday Game and Food Drive

When: Dec. 19, puck drops at 7 p.m.

Where: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium

The Aud will be all decked out as the Kitchener Rangers face off against the Owen Sound Attack.

Chanukah Menorah Lighting

When: Dec. 22

Where: Kitchener City Hall

The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life invites the community to celebrate Chanukah with a menorah lighting, holiday songs, traditional treats and a message of peace.

Waterloo

Wonders of Winter

When: Nov. 29 to Jan. 3

Where: Waterloo Park

Cost: Free, but donations accepted

Waterloo Park is all aglow with more than 100,000 holiday lights. This volunteer-run event is a community favourite!

Indigenous Art Market

When: Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: 22 Willow Street

Support Indigenous makers at this holiday-themed art market.

Chanukah Menorah Lighting

When: Dec. 14

Where: Waterloo Town Square

The Rohr Chabad Centre for Jewish Life invites the community to celebrate Chanukah with a menorah lighting, holiday songs, traditional treats and a message of peace.

New Hamburg

New Hamburg Santa Claus Parade

When: Sunday Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.

Where: Parade goes from Norm Hill Park, along Peel Street

Santa makes another stop in Waterloo Region.

Wellesley

Christmas Tyme in Wellesley Craft Market and Parade

When: Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:45 p.m. (parade) and Dec. 13

Where: Parade begins at the Bill Gies Recreation Complex on Queens Bush Road

The Big Man in Red is the star of the show at the Wellesley Santa Claus Parade. The craft market features gifts like bath products, candles, arts and crafts, as well as prepared foods, meats, cheeses, maple syrup and more.

Guelph

Spirit of the Season

Downtown Guelph turns into a winter wonderland with indoor and outdoor markets, family-friendly activities, performances, seasonal drinks and food, plus a parade!

When: Dec. 5 to Dec. 7

Marketplaces at St. George’s Square and Old Quebec Street open at 4 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday to kick off the holiday season. Saturday’s lineup includes the Santa Run at 5 p.m. and the Guelph Community Santa Parade at 5:30 p.m.

When: Dec. 12 to Dec. 14

Marketplaces are open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday/Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Rainbow Chorus performs at 1:30 p.m. and North Fire Circus will light up the night with shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Douglas Street. On Sunday, it’s all about the kids!

There will be meet-and-greets with princesses, Spiderman, Deadpool, Santa and The Grinch, as well as face painting and a Mini Makers Market.

A Very Charlie Brown Concert

When: Sunday, Dec. 21

Where: River Run Centre

Cost: Adult tickets are $25, $23 for patrons over 60, $20 for those under 30 years, and $10 for anyone under 14 years old

A musical performance of a Charlie Brown Christmas from jazz trio Adam Bowman, Duncan Wilson and Tyler Wagler, along with The Kingsbury Music Singers children’s choir.

Stratford

Winter Wander-land

When: Nov. 29 and Nov. 30

Where: Downtown Stratford

Children can ride around city hall on the electric Polar Express train, visit Santa and his sleigh from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Market Square, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride from Memorial Gardens. There will also be live music, fire pits, Victorian Christmas Carollers, Yuletide Cabins, Festive Food Trucks and Winter Food Market, plus a fresh Christmas tree market at Market Square and York Street.