Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival

The Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival is a long-standing, 4-day international street performers festival in Uptown Waterloo, drawing over 50,000 attendees annually and heading into its 38th year in 2026.  Here, world-class buskers—including jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, comedians, fire acts, and musicians—gather crowds, perform incredible acts, and then “pass the hat.” Many of our buskers have trained at prestigious circus schools or Cirque du Soleil, with performers from Canada, the U.S., Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Estonia, and England to name a few.

With over 50 scheduled performances across the weekend, plus roaming entertainers, special events, two spectacular fire shows, a large variety of food trucks and vendors, midway rides, and Artist Alley, the carnival offers something for everyone. Uniquely, the festival is accessible to all—attendees watch the show and decide what to pay based on what they can give, making it possible for everyone to enjoy high-quality entertainment regardless of financial means. Entirely volunteer-driven, the event brings the community together in an inclusive atmosphere, creating a true celebration of summer’s end for attendees of all ages.

Festival and Events Ontario – Top 100 Festival and Events Award 2025