by Alex Kinsella | December 2025
Shake off the post-holiday slump and dive into the exciting energy of Waterloo Region!
January 2026 is packed with events across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and the townships, offering everything from legendary concerts to family-friendly Broadway shows and high-stakes hockey and professional basketball.
Whether you’re looking to find inspiration for your dream wedding, cheer on a local sports team, or simply enjoy a relaxing Sunday with live music and coffee, we’ve got your guide to making the most of the new year right here.
January Events
Cinderella: The Panto | January 2–11
Experience a truly unique holiday theatre tradition with Cinderella: The Panto at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, running through January 11, 2026! This glittering production takes the classic fairy tale and gives it a contemporary makeover, featuring energetic dancing, popular songs, pop-culture references, and hilarious tongue-in-cheek humour. Fun for the entire family, the show encourages audience participation, so prepare to cheer for the heroine and boo the evil stepsisters!
Shrek The Musical | January 2–11
Bring the family to see the greatest fairy tale never told at Shrek The Musical, running at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge from December 3, 2025, to January 11, 2026. This hilarious musical comedy follows the grumpy green ogre, his wisecracking sidekick, and a feisty princess on a big, bright, and life-changing adventure. Need more Shrek? Check out the Shrek Rave at The Hub in Kitchener on January 23.
KW Titans Basketball | January 4, 17, and 25
Your KW Titans are taking flight at the Kitchener Auditorium throughout January, bringing high-energy professional basketball and exciting themed nights to their home court. Catch the action on the court for matchups this month against teams like the Montreal Toundra on January 4th and the Sudbury Five on January 17th. Don’t miss the highly anticipated Super Hero Game on Sunday, January 25th, at 3:00 pm, where the Titans battle the Windsor Express in a show of heroic dunks and thrilling plays.
Kitchener Rangers Hockey | January 9, 16, 18, 23, 27, and 30
Get ready for a month of exciting hockey as the Kitchener Rangers bring non-stop action and special events to The Aud throughout January. The month’s schedule features several home games, including matchups against the Oshawa Generals, Saginaw Spirit, Guelph Storm, and more. Don’t miss 90’s Night on Friday, January 23rd, when the Rangers take on the Owen Sound Attack at 7:00 pm. Break out your flannel for this special retro-themed night featuring iconic tunes, giveaways, and classic game-night fun.
Friday Live Music at the Galt Club | January 9, 16, 23, and 30
Head to The Galt Club (13 Main St., Cambridge) every Friday in January for live music. The line up includes Brandon Dean, Michael D’arcy, Stephen Hodder, and CJ Cooper.
Blue Rodeo | January 9 and 10
The legendary sound of Canadian roots rock is coming to town as Blue Rodeo performs a career-spanning set on January 9 and 10. Join Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, and the full band for a night of heartfelt storytelling and masterful musicianship featuring iconic hits like “Try,” “Lost Together,” and “5 Days in May.” With 12 JUNO Awards and a devoted fanbase, this show promises the unmistakable chemistry that has earned them a permanent place in Canadian music history.
Cambridge Psychic & Crystal Fair | January 9, 10, and 11
Uncover what the future holds at the Cambridge Psychic & Crystal Fair, a weekend event running from January 9–11, 2026, at the Cambridge Newfoundland Club. Guests can access psychics, mediums, and intuitive healers, as well as palm, numerology, astrology, and tarot card readings. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a variety of holistic services and shop the selection of unique crystal vendors!
Sara Porter Dance at The Registry | January 10
Join the finale of the Cheryl Ewing Dance Residency for an evening of excerpts from Hello Sunshine! and Bad Poetry: Live in Kitchener!, a compelling new show by Sara Porter. Through storytelling, dance, comedy, and multi-media, Sara shares a personal and honest account of living with PMLE, an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and an invisible disability. This unique performance is being held at The Registry, and tickets are available pay-what-you-can basis at the door.
KW Wedding Expo Winter 2026 | January 10–11
Kick off your wedding planning at the KW Wedding Expo Winter 2026 on January 10th and 11th. Meet local wedding professionals and find design inspiration for any style, from micro to gala weddings. Best of all, admission is free for you and your entire entourage! Engaged couples who register are eligible to win over $20,000 in prizes.
Sunday Grind | January 11, 18, and 25
Need a fresh start to your week? The Sunday Grind is a brand new, eight-week music series designed to transform Downtown Kitchener into a pop-up music lounge. Every Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a different café will host a live set from local DJs, creating a rotating circuit of sound, community, and culinary delights. Whether you are a coffee lover or vinyl enthusiast, this free series is the perfect laid-back ritual to discover new local talent and vibrant community vibes.
Bhangra Pops | January 15
Experience a colourful and electrifying celebration as Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser returns to conduct the Bhangra Pops, featuring dancers from the Bhangra Academies of Southwestern Ontario. This special orchestral concert is a salute to the vibrant traditions of Punjab, bringing high-energy dance and music together for a dynamic and unforgettable performance.
The Brutal Comedy Tour | January 15
Looking for a night of no-holds-barred laughter? The Brutal Comedy Tour hits the Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre on Thursday, January 15th, at 8:00 pm. Headlined by stand-up veterans like Greg Palone (YukYuks) and Ben Albert (TikTok), this 18+ show promises Canada’s most unfiltered, high-energy, and brutally honest stand-up.
Moms Gone Mild | January 17
Need a night out after the holiday madness? The Moms Gone Mild Video Dance Party is back at Maxwell’s for a celebration built just for the ladies. Get ready to dance the night away to wall-to-wall favorites, complete with four synchronized video screens, themed cocktails, and special guest MC and the voice of TikTok, Kat Callaghan.
ABBA Mania and Night Fever Canada | January 24
Waterluvians will always have a special connection to the music of ABBA thanks to the Swedish legend’s hit “Waterloo”. You can dance along to that classic along with other hits like “Dancing Queen”, “Take a Chance”, “Money Money Money”, and more when ABBA Mania takes the Centre in the Square Stage on January 24. That’s not all. Canada’s #1 Bee Gees tribute band, Night Fever, starts the night off with some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Staying Alive” and “Jive Talking”.
Winterloo | January 25
Break away from the winter blues at the Waterloo’s annual cold-weather festival, Winterloo, happening on Saturday, January 24th, from noon to 5:00 pm in Uptown Waterloo! This free, family-friendly event features a live ice carving showcase, outdoor ice skating (bring your own skates or rent a pair from McPhail’s), food trucks, a comfort food crawl, and the unique Winterloo Dog Fashion Show. Bundle up and enjoy this vibrant celebration of winter fun!
Langdon Hall’s 2026 Wedding Open House | January 25
Langdon Hall is hosting an exclusive wedding open house perfect for couples planning a 2026 celebration. Explore the elegant venues, lush gardens, and luxurious accommodations that blend historic charm with modern event spaces capable of hosting up to 120 guests. Don’t miss this chance to tour the spectacular grounds and meet the expert team to get inspired for your ultimate dreamy destination wedding.
Harlem Globetrotters 2026 World Tour | January 26
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their legendary athleticism and historic entertainment to Kitchener’s The Aud on January 29, 2026, as part of their monumental 100 Year Tour. Celebrate 100 years of basketball thrills, jaw-dropping dunks, and gravity-defying tricks that have broken barriers and made history.
The Last Essential Letdowns Show | January 30
The very last show of the Essential Letdowns’ current tour brings them back to their hometown, Waterloo, at Maxwell’s, to let you down one last time. The show features Petrochemicals, Suplex and C.I.D. as special guests.
Sing-A-Long Broadway | January 31
Practice, practice, practice isn’t the only way to get to Broadway. Sing-A-Long Broadway at Centre in the Square is a high-energy, full-blown party where the audience is the star. Prepare to sing your heart out to iconic showstoppers like “Defying Gravity” and “Seasons of Love” as two hilarious hosts guide you through a night of vocal gymnastics and dazzling video presentations.
The Brush Off | January 31
The 13th Edition of The Brush Off hits the THEMUSEUM on January 31. It’s a fast-paced, live art-making competition and fundraising event supporting THEMUSEUM and the competing artists. Enjoy a drink while watching artists create unique pieces in real-time, then vote on your favorite paintings throughout the evening. Don’t miss the chance to support local artists and the museum by bidding on a piece to take home in the silent auction.
**To find more events happening in Waterloo Region, check out the
Explore Waterloo Region Events Calendar!**