See the key highlights of the festive season in Waterloo. Our guide has all the essential holiday events. For Waterloo aficionados and curious cats, our guide is your ticket to festive adventures.
One of the beloved events this season is the St. Jacobs Sparkles, where visitors can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere filled with lights and local crafts. Plus, the First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons invites guests to step back in time and experience the holiday traditions of the 17th century. And the River Lights Winter Festival is something you definitely don’t want to miss, showcasing enchanting light displays along the scenic waterfront. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Waterloo Discussion!
See the Latest Holiday News for Waterloo!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Waterloo
- St. Jacobs Sparkles (St. Jacobs)
- First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons (Midland)
- River Lights Winter Festival (Cambridge)
- Christmas at the Castle (Baden)
- Holiday Train Rides with Waterloo Central Railway (St. Jacobs)
- Christkindl Market (Kitchener)
- Santa’s Christmas Caboose (St. Jacobs)
- Santa’s Countryside Ride (St. Jacobs)
- Sugarplum Tea and Tour (Baden)
- The Nutcrackers of Castle Kilbride (Baden)
See these and even more events listed below!
Waterloo Holiday Light Displays
River Lights Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven light displays and festive activities.
Description:
Cambridge's Winterfest is a month-long celebration featuring a variety of events for all ages, including light displays, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement.
Where: Cambridge | More Info: River Lights Winter Festival
Waterloo Holiday Markets and Shopping
St. Jacobs Sparkles
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping with extended hours and festive entertainment.
Description:
St. Jacobs Sparkles is an annual holiday shopping event featuring thousands of twinkling lights, unique shops, and festive entertainment. Enjoy extended hours at local stores, meet Santa, and experience live music and carollers throughout the village.
Where: St. Jacobs | More Info: St. Jacobs Sparkles
Christkindl Market
What to Expect:
Traditional European market with unique gifts and live music.
Description:
Christkindl Market is an annual holiday market in downtown Kitchener, featuring traditional European sights, sounds, and smells. Enjoy unique gift ideas, delicious food, live music, and activities for kids.
Where: Kitchener | More Info: Christkindl Market
Waterloo Holiday Shows and Entertainment
First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
What to Expect:
Candlelit historical site with live music and artisan market.
Description:
First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is an award-winning holiday event featuring live musical performances, historical demonstrations, and an extensive artisan market amidst the glow of thousands of candles.
Where: Midland | More Info: First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Holiday Train Rides with Waterloo Central Railway
What to Expect:
Themed train cars with festive entertainment.
Description:
Join Waterloo Central Railway for holiday train rides through the wintery Waterloo countryside, featuring festive carols, a seated visual scavenger hunt, and visits from Santa. Enjoy different themed cars and Christmas song lyrics.
Where: St. Jacobs | More Info: Holiday Train Rides with Waterloo Central Railway
Santa’s Christmas Caboose
What to Expect:
Adults-only holiday train ride with festive entertainment.
Description:
Join Santa for a unique holiday experience aboard the Waterloo Central Railway's Santa's Nightcap, a 19+ train ride featuring one alcoholic beverage and a snack from Santa, plus a take-home treat. Enjoy festive carols and a visit from Santa as you travel through the wintery Waterloo countryside.
Where: St. Jacobs | More Info: Santa’s Christmas Caboose
The Nutcrackers of Castle Kilbride
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcrackers of Castle Kilbride is a captivating holiday performance featuring a classic ballet with elaborate sets and costumes, set in the historic Castle Kilbride.
Where: Baden | More Info: The Nutcrackers of Castle Kilbride
Sugarplum Tea and Tour
What to Expect:
Costumed guide tour with festive treats.
Description:
Enjoy a yuletide tour of the 1877 mansion with a costumed guide, followed by treats like cranberry-white chocolate scone and shortbread cookie paired with gingerbread house fruit tea.
Where: Baden | More Info: Sugarplum Tea and Tour
The Tenors Christmas With The Tenors Tour
What to Expect:
Acclaimed vocalists performing holiday music with emotional depth.
Description:
The Tenors bring their unique blend of classical and contemporary music to the stage in their "Christmas With The Tenors Tour," featuring timeless holiday classics and original compositions.
Where: Kitchener | More Info: The Tenors Christmas With The Tenors Tour
Candlelight Concerts
What to Expect:
Live classical music in a candlelit setting.
Description:
Candlelight Concerts feature live classical music performances in a candlelit setting, offering a unique experience with a wide variety of themes and genres.
Where: Waterloo | More Info: Candlelight Concerts
Tom Nagy Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Intimate holiday concert with live music and entertainment.
Description:
Tom Nagy Christmas Experience is a highly anticipated holiday event featuring live music and entertainment at The Jazz Room in Waterloo. The show promises an intimate and memorable evening with Tom Nagy and his band, offering a unique blend of music and atmosphere.
Where: Waterloo | More Info: Tom Nagy Christmas Experience
Waterloo Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at the Castle
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic mansion with themed decorations and costumes.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Castle Kilbride, where the halls and rooms are beautifully decorated with trees, ribbon, and garland. The elegant rooms sparkle, and costumes from the Fabled exhibit add to the festivities.
Where: Baden | More Info: Christmas at the Castle
Santa’s Countryside Ride
What to Expect:
Heritage train ride with festive entertainment.
Description:
Join Santa on a heritage train ride through the wintery Waterloo countryside, enjoying festive carols and a seated visual scavenger hunt while visiting Santa.
Where: St. Jacobs | More Info: Santa’s Countryside Ride
Herner’s Victorian Village
What to Expect:
Miniature village with intricate details inspired by Dickens novels.
Description:
Herner’s Victorian Village is a miniature village inspired by Dickens novels, featuring tiny homes, shops, and British landmarks in intricate detail.
Where: Baden | More Info: Herner’s Victorian Village
A Merry Victorian Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic mansion with Victorian-era decorations and themed costumes.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Castle Kilbride with beautifully decorated rooms, elegant trees, and costumes from the Fabled exhibit. Enjoy a self-guided tour with costumed staff and local entertainment.
Where: Baden | More Info: A Merry Victorian Christmas
Sensory-Friendly Santa
What to Expect:
Stress-free Santa visit tailored to children's sensory needs.
Description:
Sensory-Friendly Santa is an event designed to meet the social, emotional, and sensory needs of children, providing a stress-free experience for those who may find traditional Santa visits overwhelming.
Where: Waterloo | More Info: Sensory-Friendly Santa
Christmas Toy Bingo
What to Expect:
High-stakes bingo with exclusive toys and gifts.
Description:
Join the Caledonia Agricultural Society and Mary Poppins Cooperative Preschool for a wildly fun fundraiser featuring 10 games of bingo with prizes including an Xbox Series X, Kids Ride-On Vehicle, Bouncy Castle, and Barbie Dream House. Each ticket includes three cards, and extra cards can be purchased for additional chances to win. Raffle tickets are also available for more amazing gifts like a Nintendo Switch and Apple iPad. Specialty beverages are available at the bar all evening long.
Where: Caledonia | More Info: Christmas Toy Bingo
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Kitchener (3 miles)
- Cambridge (13 miles)
- Guelph (14 miles)
- Fergus (18 miles)
- Stratford (23 miles)
- Brant (25 miles)
- Woodstock (26 miles)
- Brantford (26 miles)
- Ancaster (32 miles)
- Milton (32 miles)
- Burlington (35 miles)
- Hamilton (37 miles)
- Orangeville (37 miles)
- Caledon (38 miles)
- Brampton (40 miles)
- Oakville (42 miles)
- Mississauga (44 miles)
- Norfolk County (44 miles)