Fun festivals, nature trails to check out this summer
Many large-scale events in Waterloo Region are set to get back to business as usual
After two whole years of restrictions and cancellations due to COVID-19, many of Waterloo Region’s large-scale events are set to get back to normal this season and as the weather improves, everyone is eager to get some fresh air.
The Record has collected a list including a wide variety of festivals and trails for everyone in Waterloo Region to enjoy this summer.
FESTIVALS Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound
250 King St. W., Kitchener Thursday, June 2, 8 p.m. to Sunday, June 5, 9 p.m.
A collaborative event with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in 1998, Open Ears is now an independent music festival that strives to create unique concert experiences by focusing on “the art of listening.” Festival locations in the past have included: The Registry Theatre, Kitchener Public Library, THEMUSEUM, The Button Factory, Catalyst 137, Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. Tickets can be found online.
Tacofest
THEMUSEUM, 10 King St. W., Kitchener
Friday, June 17, 6 to 10 p.m. Offering tacos and craft beer all day long, this festival donates proceeds to Community Support Connections, a local charity that helps over 6,600 people in the region stay safe and healthy in their communities. Tickets will be available online.
Great Ontario Beer Festival
Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr., Kitchener
Friday, June 24, 5 p.m. to Saturday, June 25, 10:30 p.m.
Supporting over 40 local breweries, the Great Ontario Beer festivals has more than just beer to offer the festivalgoers. The whole weekend will be filled with live music, food trucks, fireworks, raffles and more.
Single-day or weekend passes to the festival can be purchased online.
55th Annual Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival
Victoria Park, 32 Dill St., Kitchener
Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m. to Sunday, June 26, 6 p.m.
The annual Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival is one of the largest multicultural festivals in Canada and provides over 40,000 people with music, food, dance and more over two days in Kitchener’s Victoria Park. Entry is free.
TD Kitchener Blues Fest
Downtown Kitchener BIA, 54 Queen St. S., Kitchener Sunday, Aug. 7, 3 p.m. — 11 p.m. With over 50 acts to see, the Kitchener Blues Fest is the largest true blues festival in Canada and this year it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Information on who’s playing and tickets can be found online.
MellowFest
Farm League Brewing, 295 Ainslie St. S., Cambridge
Thursday, June 2, 7 p.m. to Saturday, Jun 4, 11:30 p.m.
Mellowfest will be Farm League Brewing’s first ever craft beer and music festival. The three-night event will feature Ontario breweries and cideries, food trucks and a lineup of rising Canadian artists.
Hot Springs Music Festival
King and Argyle streets, Cambridge
Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. A local event for rock lovers, this year’s Hot Springs Music Festival will feature many local artists and bands including North America’s Premier Tribute to Tom Petty Live, Cheryl Lescom, Blue Nova and more.
Cambridge Scottish Festival
Churchill Park, 200 Christopher Dr., Cambridge
Saturday, July 16, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This two-day festival is all about honouring Scottish tradition and features one whole day of live contemporary and traditional Celtic music. The second day of the festival is called Games Day and features dance competitions, vendors, music and more.
Cambridge Rotary Ribfest
Riverside Park, 49 King St. W., Cambridge
Saturday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hillside Festival
Guelph Lake Conservation Area, Guelph
This music festival on Guelph Lake brings both acclaimed and upcoming indie artists together to celebrate music. Headliners in the past have included A Tribe Called Red, Tim Baker and Alan Doyle.
Robin in the Hood Festival
Gibson Park, 17 First St. W., Elmira Sat, Jun 4, 3 p.m. — 8 p.m.
A 2021 Waterloo Region Record Reader’s Choice Award winner, this festival transforms Gibson Park in Elmira into 12th-century Nottingham, England.
The 5K Foam Fest — Kitchener/ Waterloo 2022
Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St., Paris, Ont.
Saturday, Aug. 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Owned and operated by 365 Sports Inc, a Canadian, Australian, and U.S. events and entertainment company, this all-ages 5k challenge includes 24 different obstacles full of mud and foam. The event supports Make-A-Wish Canada, also features a live dj, free swag and prizes.