by Alex Kinsella | December 2023
Grab your toques and head to Waterloo Region in January! We’ve got everything from professional basketball to skiing to some of the best culinary experiences this side of the 401. We’ve also got a Friend’s Road Trip itinerary to get your year off to the right start.
Here’s our list of amazing events to check out this January across Waterloo Region!
Kitchener-Waterloo Titans Basketball | January 2, 7, 20, and 21
Professional basketball is back as the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans return their seventh season. This year is more exciting than ever, with the Titans joining the new Basketball Super League. The new league means more teams and higher stakes as the Titans welcome the London Lighting, Pontiac Pharaohs, Windsor Express, and the Montreal Tundra to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.
Pro tip: Take the ION – Waterloo Region’s light rail transit system – to the Aud using a Grand River Transit weekend family pass. It’s only $8 for your whole family. Take the ION to the Borden Station, and the Aud is a short walk up Borden Ave.
Date Night, Skate Nights in Uptown Waterloo | January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
Grab your skates and your sweetheart and head to Waterloo Public Square every Wednesday in January to skate to the amazing tunes spun by DJ King Kadeem. The Hissing Goose food truck will be there with warm treats if the temperature drops, too! Each week has a different theme, from Emo Night on January 17 to a Swiftie Skate on January 31.
Pro tip: Try one of Uptown’s new restaurants when you’re out for a skate. Champa Kitchen (21 King St. N.) offers authentic Vietnamese, Laotian, and Thai food with a twist. Or try a classic like Ethel’s Lounge (114 King St. N.) and order the Rajah—trust us on this one!
LAUNCH STEAM Day | January 5
LAUNCH back into learning with a fun day of immersive STEAM activities at Catalyst137. It’s a fun, free, family event that features hands-on activities, challenges, and robot competitions.
The Ring’s KW Wedding Expo | January 6
Getting hitched this year? Discover unexpected inspirational ideas at The Ring’s KW Wedding Expo at Bingemans. It’s the wedding show of the season, with tasty food samples from the region’s best restaurants and caterers, shopping at the Handmade with Love market, and Instagram-ready selfie spots for you and your crew. Free admission if you register before January 5. Otherwise, tickets are $10 per person at the door. You can even win an all-inclusive trip for two to Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Cancun, courtesy of Northstar Travel, Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, World of Hyatt, and TheWeddingRing.ca.
An Evening with Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies | January 11
Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Rob Thomson is coming to THEMUSEUM in Downtown Kitchener as the next guest in its An Evening With series. Rob has been the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies since 2018 and will be sharing his story with Sportnet’s Jamie Campbell.
Pro tip: Grab dinner at The Rich Uncle in Downtown Kitchener before the event. They’re located right across the street from THEMUSEUM.
Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2024 | January 13
Head to rare ECO Centre (768 Blair Road, Cambridge) for a fun winter birdwatching event based on the traditional Christmas Bird Count. Parents and kids alike can build bird identification and monitoring skills while contributing to a real community science initiative!
New Year / New Hobby January 13, 20, and 27
Forget resolutions—this year, start a new hobby! St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is hosting New Year / New Hobby every Saturday in January. Try your hand at acrylic landscape painting, paint piping, and cake decorating. These workshops are great ways to get 2024 off to an awesome start!
Peter Pan: The Panto | Through January 14
You’ve still got time to laugh out loud at Peter Pan: The Pnato at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. It’s a traditional British panto production where you cheer for the hero and boo the villain in a fun-filled audience participation production. Pro tip: If you’re seeing a matinee, go to Jack’s Family Restaurant for breakfast before the show—you won’t be disappointed.
Hockey: Faster than Ever | Through January 14
The Hockey: Faster Than Ever exhibition at The Glovebox in Downtown Kitchener is an interactive exhibition that takes you through the evolution of hockey and the remarkable tech advancements and scientific breakthroughs that have shaped hockey over time.
Kitchener Rangers vs London Knights | January 19
Grab your red and blue and head out to the Aud as the Kitchener Rangers welcome the London Knights for exciting OHL action! Puck drops at 7 p.m.
Indigenous Culinary Experience: Bison & Three Sisters Chili | January 20
Join Chef Destiny for this hands-on workshop, where she will teach you how to make Bison & Three Sisters Chili with cornbread. Chef Destiny is the owner and head chef of FoodZen and the founder and executive chef of Cedar Spoon, an Indigenous catering company.
TriCON 2024 | January 20 and 21
TriCON returns to the THEMUSEUM on January 20 and 21 for two days of vendors, speakers, and cosplay across five floors. Immerse yourself in all things pop culture, sci-fi, comics, anime, visual art, digital technology, interactive tech art, and more. Degrassi High’s Pat Mastroianni Stacie Mistysyn will be there, too, signing autographs!
Pro tip: Looking for more great art to take home? Head to Lookin’ For Heroes (83 Ontario St. S.) for an amazing selection of comics and collectibles.
Langdon Hall’s Wedding Open House | January 28
There are weddings, and then there are Langdon Hall weddings. On January 28, explore all this historic venue has to offer at its Wedding Open House. Meet with local vendors, and enjoy canapés and refreshments.
Winterloo | January 27
Winterloo is an annual, free festival for all ages in Uptown Waterloo. Experience great food, lively entertainment, and amazing art outdoors in Waterloo Public Square.
The Brush Off | January 27
The Brush Off is Waterloo Region’s premiere live art-making event. This exciting fundraising event puts artists on stage in a friendly competition, painting and creating art in front of a live audience! Throughout the night, guests will vote on their favourite paintings and have the chance to bid and take one home from THEMUSEUM’s silent auction.
Conversations for Conservation: The Return of the Birds | January 31
Wild Ontario returns to rare for Conversations for Conservation: The Return of the Birds – Wild Ontario & the Big Birds of Southern Ontario. You’ll learn about their history and conservation efforts, and they’ll show off some of the big birds in their care. Bring your kids and foster a connection with nature and an interest in science!
Kick-off 2024 with a Friend’s Road Trip to Waterloo Region
We’re writing this in December—and right now, there is way too much green outside. But we have faith the snow is coming in January! Grab your friends and explore the winter wonders of Waterloo Region.
On Friday, hit the slopes at Chicopee Ski Hill in Kitchener. With 11 different runs of all skill levels, there’s something for everyone in your group. New to skiing or snowboarding? Try a drop-in lesson with Chicopee’s Discover Skiing and Snowboarding packages. These packages include a 50-minute group lesson with an instructor, equipment rental, and a Learning Centre Lift Ticket that’s valid for the whole day!
If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Chicopee Tube Park is right next door and offers six chutes for tubing solo and in groups. The hill is 250 feet high and 900 ft long and is sure to get your heart pounding!
For your après ski plans, head to St. Jacobs and book a heated outdoor dome at the Village Biergarten. They have an awesome menu with pizzas, nachos, and more—and beer from Block 3 Brewing across the street.
On Saturday, you can keep the adrenaline going or slow things down. If you have a need for speed, check out K1 Speed in Cambridge (set to open in early 2024!) Instead of gas-powered carts, K1 Speed uses electric go karts offering better safety, performance, and of course—fun!
If you want to slow things down, head to Conestoga River Horseback Adventures for a snowy sleigh or wagon ride. It’s a great way to relax and experience the beautiful countryside of Waterloo Region.
For dinner on Saturday, enjoy a leisurely meal at New Hamburg’s Puddicombe House, and an evening of great dining in its outdoor greenhouse. Executive Chef Jammie Monk leads the team, preparing dishes like beet-crusted orange roughy and our favourite, the fish katsu sando.
Waterloo Region has something for everyone—we hope you visit us in 2024 to explore, experience, and engage with everything we have to offer!