by Alex Kinsella | September 2026
October brings a little bit of everything to Waterloo Region. The leaves are changing colour, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is in full swing, and Halloween is waiting just around the corner. It’s a month made for getting out and exploring, with Bavarian celebrations, fall markets, live music, family-friendly activities and plenty of spooky surprises happening across the region.
Scroll down for the full rundown of things to do in Waterloo Region this October, and don’t forget to sign up for the TL;WR newsletter to get a weekly rundown of events across Waterloo Region.
October Events in Waterloo Region
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest | September 25 – October 17
Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda invite you to experience the sights, sounds, and flavours of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest as it returns for its 58th year. From lively polkas and steaming plates of schnitzel to steins of beer and family-friendly fun, the spirit of Gemütlichkeit fills the city’s German Clubs and partner venues. This year sees the return of past traditions like Uberhaus at Maxwell’s and new traditions like the Prostgarten inside The Gaslight District. (Scroll on down for more details on those!)
Mixed(er) | October 1 – 3
Kitchener’s Centre in the Square and Unwrapped Theatre present Mixed(er) in the Studio Theatre. This funny and heartfelt show tells the story of Sam, a biracial woman discovering her parents are throwing her a surprise birthday party, complete with her White friends and her only Black friend. As the night unfolds, family wounds surface, cultural tensions flare, and a jerk chicken casserole becomes the final straw in Sam’s fractured sense of identity.
Bingemans Screampark | Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Screampark in Kitchener brings your worst nightmares to life with a haunted house, eerie trails, and spine-tingling scares that keep you on the edge of your seat. With live actors and heart-pounding thrills around every turn, it’s the ultimate destination for a night of fright.
Snyder Fear Farm | Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Each fall, Snyder’s Farm in North Dumfries Township transforms into one of Waterloo Region’s most thrilling destinations: Fear Farm. What’s usually peaceful farmland becomes alive with haunted hayrides, twisted mazes, and spine-tingling surprises around every turn. With immersive storytelling, live actors, and a pulse-racing atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to dive into the Halloween spirit.
Oktoberfest in The Prostgarten | October 1 – 4
This year, Oktoberfest returns to Cambridge at the Gaslight District’s Prostgarten, a free-to-attend event that transforms the district into Cambridge’s “go-to” Oktoberfest Festhalle starting on September 25 and running through October 4. It’s all your Oktoberfest favourites — live polka bands, Bavarian eats, beer, and that special feeling of gemütlichkeit that only KW Oktoberfest can bring you!
Oktoberfest Steins at the Canadian Clay & Glass Museum | October 1 and 7
BYOS — bring your own stein to this year’s Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. The Canadian Clay & Glass Museum in Waterloo has two workshops in October to create and decorate your personal stein to enjoy whatever beverage you love. It’s food-safe, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe and will be ready before you can say “zicke zacke”.
Farmtoberfest at Willibald’s | October 2
Make your way to Ayr for Farmtoberfest at Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery on October 2. The farm is the place to be for great pizza, awesome beer, live music and Willibald’s cocktails. $29 per person includes event entry and a commemorative stein.
Goat Fest 2026 | October 3
Goat Fest is back with another day of music, drinks, and so much heat! Goat Fest is the brainchild of local hot sauce maker Kris Ronan of Ginger Goat Hot Sauces. Get your ticket and experience the heat from more than 30 different hot sauce makers and 15 vendors with craft beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks from across Canada as you listen to awesome live music.
Homer Watson Spirit Market | October 3
Explore the macabre and mystical at the Homer Watson Spirit Market at Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener! Shop vendors with unique candles, crystals, readings, thematic artworks and books, and take in some local performing talent while you look for all the ghosts hiding on the house grounds. The Spirit Market is part of the month-long Spirit Season events at Homer Watson House.
Uberhaus: Oktoberfest at Maxwell’s | October 3
After a ten-year hiatus, Uberhaus Community Festhalle returns to Maxwell’s Concerts & Events in Waterloo for one night only. Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and join Maxwell’s for an unforgettable evening celebrating the sights, sounds and spirit of Oktoberfest. Enjoy food from Siggi’s Food Truck and a special appearance from Onkel Hans and the KW Oktoberfest crew!
Wonderfully Made Fall Market | October 4
Discover one-of-a-kind gifts and meet the makers who bring them to life at the Wonderfully Made Fall Market at Steckle Heritage Homestead in Kitchener! It’s an unforgettable day filled with cozy vibes, local charm, and community spirit with over 60 talented local makers offering handmade goods, seasonal treats, home décor, fashion, art, and more.
Pancake Breakfast at the Sugar Bush! | October 3 and 10
At Sand Hills Maple Products, every day is a good day for pancakes – especially in the fall!. Head to their farm just outside of the Village of Wellesley for their special Fall Pancake Breakfasts for pancakes, cozy fires, pumpkin bowling walking tours and more fun activities. Free admission — you just pay for the pancakes.
Puddicombe House 20th Anniversary Garden Party | October 4
Celebrate 20 years of memories, milestones, and wonderful guests at Puddicombe House in New Hamburg with an afternoon of drink samples, passed appetizers, and live music. VIP tickets include early access to the event at 1 p.m. with general admission at 2 p.m.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Willkommen Platz | October 9, 11, and 11
Willkommen Platz transforms the heart of downtown Kitchener into a Bavarian village, complete with a Biergarten, authentic German food vendors, a local market and live music on the Circle K Main Stage. From Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, raise a stein and sing along with The Golden Keys, Bif Naked, and celebrate the one-and-only Walter Ostanek during his last KW Oktoberfest performances!
Waterloo Central Railway Thanksgiving Weekend | October 10, 11, and 12
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend with Waterloo Central Railway and the sights and sounds of Steam Locomotive No. 9! Join them for a steam-powered Heritage Hopper on October 10, a special round-trip steam excursion with a run-past opportunity on October 11, or their Thanksgiving Dinner Train on October 12.
Long Weekend Band Crawl – Volume 18 | October 11
Celebrate Thanksgiving with the family you choose at volume 18 of the Long Weekend Band Crawl. Four venues across Uptown Waterloo with 15 bands, including The Friendly Freaky Frogs Freak Show, BA Johnston, Handheld, Frank Dux, and Hung — all included on one ticket.
2026 K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade | October 12
Thanksgiving weekend just wouldn’t be the same without the K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m., so get there early to grab your spot to experience the music, colour, community spirit, and floats that make the parade one of the best family activities in the region! The parade begins at the corner of Weber Street East and Frederick Street, travels up Weber Street, and finishes at Bridgeport Road.
WWE Presents NXT Live! | October 15
Professional wrestling returns to The Aud in Kitchener with NXT Live, presented by the WWE. See WWE NXT Superstars in person, including Tony D’Angelo, Lola Vice, Kendal Grey, Jaida Parker and Shiloh Hill.
Moore Farms Monster Mash Market | October 17
Enjoy pumpkin picking, creepy characters, and more at the Moore Farms Monster Mash Market in Ayr. Explore a curated vendor market, listen to live music, grab a coffee from Alexander Henry’s, and treat yourself at the ice cream truck or Longhorn Smokehouse.
Kitchener Rangers vs. Guelph Storm | October 23
It’s the battle of highway 7! Your Kitchener Rangers are taking on the Guelph Storm during the OHL Rivalry Week. Get your tickets as the Memorial Cup Champions take on the hosts of this year’s cup.
Kids Trick or Treat | October 25
Bring your “little monsters” to the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum for Kids Trick or Treat. Knock on doors through the village streets where each historic home has a sweet surprise for your little ghost or goblin. They’ll have activities, arts and crafts, music, and more. It’s all treats and no tricks!
Halloween Tea by the Grand at McDougall Cottage | October 25
Celebrate Halloween at McDougall Cottage in Cambridge with an eerie tea time featuring “finger sandwiches”, special goodies, and more. Reservations are required, and space is limited, so reserve your spot now!
Mariza at Centre in the Square | October 28
Mariza is back at Centre in the Square following sold-out shows across Europe and Canada. The Mozambique-born, Lisbon-raised sensation has quickly become one of the most acclaimed Portuguese artists in the world. Experience her unique blend of tradition and modernity in the region’s premier entertainment destination.
Cursed Curiosities and Cocktails at Castle Kilbride | October 30
Some people see a castle and think of knights and princesses. Others see something haunted. If you’re in the latter group, then you need to get tickets for the Cursed Curiosities and Cocktails event at Castle Kilbride in Baden. Your ticket gets you a signature cocktail and appetizers from EJ’s Tavern in Baden and medium Brittany Schmidt will be onsite to help connect you with the castle’s previous guests.
Operatic Spooktacular | October 30 and 31
Forget the high notes. The Grand River Opera is hitting those supernatural notes at the Operatic Spooktacular. Your host Ben Gorodetsky (of Pinch Cabaret fame) will guide you through haunting tales of witches, murder, love, and madness in the quite possibly haunted Registry Theatre in Downtown Kitchener.
Heavy Metal Halloween | October 31
Rock out with your fiendish friends at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events in Waterloo as they host Heavy Metal Halloween on Oct. 31. They’ll have Shadoeccult, Nepenthe and Faulty Rivals live on stage with a special celebration of Faulty Rival’s brand new album.
Monster Bash at Tapestry Hall | October 31
Tapestry Hall in Cambridge has the ghost hosts with the most this Halloween for a devilish good time of an evening at the Monster Bash. Step through the looking glass into a ghostly setting filled with eerie décor, chilling beats, and frightful fun.
Día de los Muertos | October 31
The businesses of Downtown Kitchener and the DTK BIA invite you to experience Día de los Muertos. Back for its fourth year, Dia de Los Muertos features music, food, culture, and dance as we welcome those we loved and lost back for one evening. Light a candle on an ofrenda, enjoy live mariachi music, and experience DTK like never before.
**The fun doesn’t stop here! Explore even more festivals, concerts, markets, and community events on the Explore Waterloo Region Events Calendar.