by Alex Kinsella | January 2025
You’re in luck if your New Year’s resolution is going to more amazing events! This January in Waterloo Region, dance the night away with ABBA, catch exciting Basketball Super League and OHL action, or explore the tastes and aromas of St. Jacobs Market District.
Read on for our list of things to do in Waterloo Region this January.
From Vienna with Love | January 1
Start 2025 with music as soprano Holly Chapman and the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra present From Vienna with Love. Enjoy timeless Strauss Waltzes and more inside the beautiful Tapestry Hall in Cambridge.
A Christmas Carol: The Panto | January 1–12
You may know the story, but you’ve never seen it like this! A Christmas Carol: The Panto reimagines the classic tale with all the fun and antics of an old-fashioned panto—villains, heroes, a dame, lively dancing, incredible music, audience participation, and a touch of theatrical magic at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Pro tip: If you’re seeing a matinee, get to the St. Jacobs Market District early and grab breakfast at Jack’s Family Restaurant. It’s next door to the theatre and will fill you up for the laughs from A Christmas Carol!
Gift of Lights at Bingemans | January 1–4
Bingemans Conference gets a little brighter during Gift of Lights. Stay warm in your car as you drive through the display featuring a breathtaking 40-foot twinkly LED tree and over 300 animated and static light displays and light tunnels. On January 4, experience Gift of Lights on foot during the last walking tour of the season. 50% of ticket proceeds will be donated to KidsAbility on this evening.
KW Titans Basketball | January 2 and 19
The back half of the Basketball Super League season kicks off on January 2 as your KW Titans welcome the Sudbury Five to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Then, on January 19, head to the Aud as the Titans take on their rivals, the London Lightning, for a special 2 pm matinee game. Pro tip: Whether you’re catching a Rangers or Titans game or an awesome evening of live music, leave your car at home and take the ION light rail transit to the Aud. Take the ION to the Borden Station, and the Aud is a short walk up Borden Ave.
Kitchener Rangers Hockey | January 3, 10, 12, 17, 21, and 24
Catch exciting OHL action in our backyard as the Kitchener Rangers take the ice at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for six home games in January! On January 10, head to the Aud for the Hockey is for Everyone Game against the Brampton Steelheads. This special game is dedicated to embracing diversity and promoting the message that hockey is a sport for everyone. Then, on January 24, grab your neon shirts and acid-washed jeans for their 80’s Night against the Owen Sound Attack.
City of Kitchener New Year’s Levee | January 5
Celebrate 2025 with the mayor, city council member, and your neighbours at the City of Kitchener’s New Year’s Levee. It’s a free carnival-themed celebration under the big top of City Hall with games, prizes, live music, and more!
Skate Night, Date Night | January 8, 15, 22, and 29
Are you looking for a first date idea or a way to rekindle the flame during the winter? Check out Skate Night, Date Night in Waterloo Public Square ice rink on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy treats from Hissing Goose Coffee Roasters as you skate to tunes spun live by DJ King Kadeem. Pro-tip: McPhail’s Cycle & Sports on King St. is a short walk from Waterloo Town Square and offers skate rentals if you don’t have your own pair!
St Jacobs Market Food Tour | January 9, 16, 23, and 30
Love fresh, flavourful food? On March 14, explore the St. Jacobs Market Food Tour with Stroll Walking Tours. Savour delectable treats, learn about the market’s history, and meet the passionate vendors who call the market home. This tour is for foodies who want to know their food and experience the market like never before.
Blue Rodeo | January 10 and 11
For nearly thirty years, Blue Rodeo has embraced the role of musical rebels, defying trends and carving their own path to success. The Band’s legacy includes over four million records sold, induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award—all achieved by staying true to its vision. This fall, the band comes to Centre in the Square for two shows with very special guest Elliott Brood, marking another milestone in its celebrated career.
Works-In-Progress Mini Festival | January 16–18
MT Space invites you to get a sneak peek at its amazing new theatre pieces in the works! The Works-In-Progress Mini Festival features four shows at the Registry Theatre in various stages of development. From script readings to workshop performances, be part of the development of these works in progress. Pro-tip: Whether you’re seeing a show at The Registry Theatre or Centre in the Square, make sure you get reservations for the Three Kretans Greek Restaurant on Frederick St. Try their stifatho stew!
Lisa Genova: More or Less Maddy | January 18
Kitchener Public Library presents an evening with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova on January 18. Genova’s latest novel, More or Less Maddy, is the story of a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.
Keith Pedro Live | January 19
Direct from CTV’s “Roast Battles Canada” to Kitchener, you catch comedian Keith Pedro live at The Hub in Kitchener on January 19. Keith has performed at Massey Hall, and the Just for Laughs festival, and he’s bringing his quick-witted improvisational skills to town for a laugh-out-loud evening of comedy.
Battle of the Bands – Tech Edition! | January 20
Turn Blue Monday into the Best Monday Ever on January 20, 2025, with the Battle of the Bands – Tech Edition at Maxwell’s Concerts and Events! Six bands made of local tech leaders will light up the stage in support of CMHA Waterloo Wellington. Tickets are just $25, making them the perfect holiday gift and a great way to kick off your company’s 2025 social calendar. Don’t miss this chance to flip the script on Blue Monday, connect as a community, and rock out for mental health!
A Tribute to Giraffologist Dr. Anne Innis Dagg | January 23
THEMUSEUM and the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation are hosting Celebrating a Local Hero: A Tribute to Giraffologist Dr. Anne Innis Dagg on January 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s an evening honouring the life and contributions of Waterloo’s pioneering giraffologist, Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, in support of the Anne Innis Dagg Foundation.
Gung Haggis Fat Choy | January 25
The Friends of Waterloo Region Museums are hosting the collab you didn’t know you needed. Join them on January 25 for Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a celebration fusion of the Chinese New Year and Scottish Robbie Burns Day featuring performers and food tastings from each culture. Performers include Scantily Plaid, the Grand River Chinese Orchestra, and other special guests.
ABBAMANIA with Night Fever As The Bee Gees | January 25
ABBAMANIA is the perfect cure for the January blahs! Featuring studio musicians, live horns, strings, and incredible singers, ABBAMANIA recreates ABBA’s iconic sound live in concert, performing hits like Waterloo, Take a Chance, S.O.S., and Dancing Queen. Also joining the show is Night Fever, Canada’s favourite Bee Gees tribute and special guest Amberley Beatty as Shania Twain. ABBAMANIA and Night Fever have been touring for 20 years, taking audiences back to when ABBA and the Bee Gees ruled the pop music world—you’ll love it!
Winterloo | January 25
Grab a hot chocolate and head to Uptown Waterloo for the return of Winterloo. Watch award-winning ice carvers, bring your own skates for outdoor ice skating, and warm up with hot drinks and treats from local food trucks while listening to music from a live DJ. Winterloo has something for everyone!
Beyonsea and the Monsters | January 30–February 9
Green Light Arts presents Beyonsea and the Mothers, a new play written and directed by Teneile Warren. Beyonsea and the Mothers tells the story of three Jamaicans brought together by circumstance in a place meant to give them second chances.
Rusty Nail Comedy presents Dylan Gott | January 31
Rusty Nail Comedy has Canadian Comedy Award nominee Dylan Gott live on stage for an awesome night of laughs at TWH Social. Dylan is known for his hilarious blend of self-deprecating stories, playful attitude, and razor-sharp observations, making him one of Canada’s most in-demand comedians.
Dancing With The Stars: Live! – 2025 Tour | January 31
Straight from Hollywood, Dancing with the Stars: Live! brings the glitz, glam, and breathtaking performances of America’s favourite dance show to Centre In The Square. Co-hosted by Stephen Nedoroscik, the show stars an incredible lineup of pro dancers, including Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, and more. This all-new show delivers an evening of excitement, athleticism, and artistry. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of the ballroom live, up close and personal—it’s an unforgettable night you won’t want to miss!