Cherry Festival, Bingemans Big Splash Birthday, Kid Friendly Yoga, Outdoor Movies and More July 2026 Festivals, Events and Stuff to do in KW

 

Please check all the links listed as info tends to change without our knowledge.  We also suggest you go through the full list as some activities require you to pre-register and many have limited spaces. Dates/Times and Prices Vary.

Stay in the Loop! Subscribe Here

The top part of our list is for ONGOING EVENTS (daily/weekly events) and further down you can see the MONTH SPECIFIC EVENTS

ONGOING Events

Attractions ONTARIO coupons for https://attractionsontario.ca/coupons

Bingemans https://bingemans.com/entertainment_home.php

Skyzone Kitchener https://www.skyzone.com/ca-kitchener

Funvilla https://funvilla.ca

THEMUSEUM https://themuseum.ca/families-kids/

Early Years  https://earlyyearsinfo.ca

KPL Calendar https://kplca.evanced.info/signup/

WPL Calendar http://calendar.wpl.ca/eventcalendar.asp?lib=all

Region of Waterloo Library Calendar https://www.rwlibrary.ca/en/programs-events/virtual-programs.aspx

Cambridge Libraries Calendar https://ideaexchange.org/programs-events

City of Waterloo Museum Activities https://www.waterloo.ca/en/things-to-do/city-of-waterloo-museum.?_mid_=1764

Region of Waterloo Museum (DOON) events https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/index.aspx#

Joseph Schneider Haus events https://www.schneiderhaus.ca/en/index.aspx

Woodside National Historic Site Self Guided Tours Thursday and Fridays https://www.facebook.com/WoodsideNHS/photos/a.797717783604573/4705277552848557

Castle Kilbride in Baden https://www.wilmot.ca/en/living-here/Events-and-Exhibits.aspx 

Wilmot Family Resource Centre https://wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.wordpress.com/events/calendar

Kitchener Market Events Calendar https://calendar.kitchenermarket.ca/default/Month

Breastfeeding Buddies Events Calendar https://www.breastfeedingbuddies.com/neve-home/about-services/news-events/

Grand River Conservation Areas https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Things-to-do.aspx

Infant and Child Studies group is a group of researchers interested in better understanding child cognition: so how kids learn! All our studies are designed as games for children to play while we observe how they respond to various toys, videos or sounds. The activities are fun for the kids, and help us to understand concepts like how children learn new words, when children can begin to understand math, or what learning strategies kids use to understand new concepts. We deliver studies in person, as well as online and in take home formats.

Lab Website: http://uwaterloo.ca/infant-and-child-studies-group/ 

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/infantstudiesgroup/

Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/infantstudiesgroup/ 

Have a new child? Sign them up too: https://uwaterloo.ca/infant-and-child-studies-group/sign

Early Childhood Music @ WLU - FREE
https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-music/laurier-academy-of-music-and-arts/group-programs-and-camps/early-childhood-music.html

University of Guelph. part of the Child Emotion and Mental Health Lab, where we research ways to support families of children experiencing mental health challenges.

The Child Emotion and Mental Health Lab at the University of Guelph is currently running an Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) caregiver group (so children don't attend the group itself).

This group is aimed at supporting caregivers with children aged 7 to 15 who are experiencing anxiety, depression, or behavioural difficulties, with our next group starting at the beginning of March. Fees for therapy are on sliding scale starting at $0 depending on financial need.

If interested in learning more, please fill out this brief, secure survey with your name, email, and phone number, and we will be in touch!

https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/.../SV_bjQ1DUN4knvg3oq

Parent and Tot Drop in on Fridays at Bridgeport Community Centre 10am-11am

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369595749/posts/10161329086425750

Dog Friendly Events https://www.dogfriendlykw.com/events

University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum info https://uwaterloo.ca/earth-sciences-museum/ 

University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Walking Tours - Various locations https://uwaterloo.ca/earth-sciences-museum/walking-tours

CANADA STRONG PASS INFO

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass.html

FREE Art Cart Saturday and Sundays 1-4pm @ Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery

https://www.facebook.com/theclayandglass/posts/pfbid025DGcr5GRrL3deFLqWZX7kbvXfs8dfYTht2Tao5hKcyT35Tdmcqda49xDRVa4sdgl

OMG Food Trucks https://www.facebook.com/omgfoodtrucks

SUNDAY FAMILY MOVIES @ KPL Downtown Kitchener

https://kpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=276124

Guided Nature Walks in Kitchener - scroll down at link for various days/locations https://www.kitchener.ca/en/parks-and-trails/kitchener-natural-areas-program.aspx

Kitchener Panthers Home Games

https://www.cbl.ca/schedule?team=kitchener-panthers&view=calendar&filter=home

Sundays - Footy Friends Soccer 

https://www.footyfriends.org/upcoming-events

Sundays Cambridge Summer Live

https://www.cambridge.ca/recreation-culture/events-festivals/cambridge-summer-live

Sundays Walk Queen Events Hespeler Village Cambridge

https://www.hespelervillagebia.ca/walkqueen

Sunday afternoon Family Karaoke @ Zaz Bistro Cambridge by Gemstone Entertainment

https://www.facebook.com/groups/55218356526/posts/10161051734576527/

Sundays - Donkey Sanctuary of Canada Open Days

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thedonkeysanctuaryofcanada/1994644

Sunday Night Car Shows @ Stratford Mall starting May 17

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10236802685061875&set=g.133422695575629

Mondays - Roller Skating at Kitchener City Hall https://www.instagram.com/p/DY8nC1onFq_/?hl=en&img_index=1

Tuesdays - Family Splash Jam at Kitchener City Hall h3ttps://www.instagram.com/p/DY8nC1onFq_/?hl=en&img_index=1

Toonie Tuesdays @ Bingemans Funworx https://www.facebook.com/2031872177359092/photos/p.2031872200692423/2031872200692423/?type=

Tuesday Night Car Shows @ Country Pizza Stratford 

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10236802636140652&set=gm.1268014952116392&idorvanity=133422695575629

Wednesdays Cambridge Summer Live

https://www.cambridge.ca/recreation-culture/events-festivals/cambridge-summer-live

Thursdays in July and August Kid Friendly Yoga with StayLocalKW

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/kid-friendly-yoga-tickets-1991408086193 

Thursday Castle Concert Series @ Castle Kilbride Baden starting June 25 https://www.wilmot.ca/recreation-and-culture/castle-kilbride/events-and-exhibit

Thursday Car Shows @ Grand River Raceway

https://www.facebook.com/groups/707324797953222/posts/1214549533897410

Thursdays Hot Summer Nights Guelph

https://guelph.ca/2026/06/hot-summer-nights-returns-for-the-2026-season

Fridays Walk Queen Events Hespeler Village Cambridge

https://www.hespelervillagebia.ca/walkqueen

Various Weekends each month - The JAM Club 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1141410471327889&set=g.2369595749

Ventures Wintergard https://www.facebook.com/reel/1973129533312150

Kids Bowl Free @ Bingemans Kingpin

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=6911&fbclid=IwY2xjawRs80lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFRGFCVE9QYkkyekRhZ05xc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhnToirG_wFN_JriY9QXzSO8pfhCNo1nvoSQbT-_uZ3W0m-DmCPk683X3tvw_aem_Bm5YltrJDVw2nSAvZwRYCg

ONGOING JULY 2026

Something Rotten! Stratford Festival

https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2026/06/welcome-to-renaissance-of-something.html

GUYS AND DOLLS Stratford Festival 

https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2026/06/lady-luck-has-rolled-into-stratford.html

Kids Bowl Free 

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com

JULY 2026

July 4

Cherry Festival

https://www.cherryparkkitchener.com/cherry-festival

July 4-5

Fairy & Iron: Renaissance Faire @ Cox Creek Cellar Guelph

https://www.coxcreekcellars.on.ca/public-events

https://coolauntcreatives.com/fairy-%26-iron%3A-july-4-%26-5-1

July 5, 19, 26

Music in the Park Waterloo Concert Band

July 6-12 July 6, 12 Music at the Square Waterloo Concert Band July 7 July 9, 16, 23

Take a Kid to the Course https://www.kidsgolffree.ca Bingemans Big Splash Birthday $10 Admission https://ecom.roller.app/bingemans/bigsplash/en/product/1748936?date=2026-07-07 Movies in the Park Create Waterloo, City of Waterloo

July 10 July 10 to 12

Wiener Dog Race @ Grand River Raceway https://grandriverraceway.com/events/wiener-dog-race Kultrun World Music Festival Neruda Arts

July 11 July 11 to 18

Touch a Truck @ The Aud https://landscapeontario.com/events/waterloo-chapter-touch-a-truck-2026 AfroVibes Festival AfroVibes Festival

July 17 to 19

SunLife Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival SunLife Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival

July 18

Downtown Kitchener Ribfest Victoria Park https://www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com Kids Fun Zone info https://www.kitchenerribandbeerfest.com/KITCHENER-RIBFEST-Kids-Fun-Zone.htm Afro Festival African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region

July 24

Art Market Create Waterloo, City of Waterloo

July 24-25 July 25 July 26

Wayback Festival Downtown Kitchener https://www.kitchener.ca/arts-culture-and-events/events/wayback-festival Stonetown Heritage Festival in St. Mary's Ontario https://www.discoverstmarys.ca/see-and-do/festivals-and-events/stonetown-heritage-festival KW Flemenco Fest CaluJules

July 26

SHARK WEEK Begins on the Discovery Channel 

https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/shark-week-2026-kicks-off-july-26

See lots of fun ways to celebrate Shark Week 

https://stufftodowithyourkidsinkw.blogspot.com/2018/07/fun-ways-to-celebrate-shark-week-shark.html

LOOKING AHEAD

August 1-3

The Ontario Pirate Festival in Guelph

https://www.thepiratefestival.com

Welcome to the Renaissance of Something Rotten! at Stratford Festival

 

Two years ago, Something Rotten! burst onto the Stratford Festival stage with so much energy, wit, and musical mayhem that we couldn’t stop talking about it. In fact we talked about it so much that many of our readers made it their MUST SEE SHOW and they let us know they loved it too! It became one of our favourite Stratford experiences. It's the kind of show you leave thinking, I wish I could see that again.

So we did.

And guess what? The Stratford Festival production of Something Rotten! is back for the 2026 Season. If you loved it the first time (like we did), you’ll be thrilled to know this season you will still get to enjoy the fast paced song and dance routines, musical themed jokes and Shakespearean wink with full Renaissance flair.

Whether you’re a longtime Stratford Festival fan or you’re looking for a hilarious, high‑energy musical to introduce your family to live theatre, Something Rotten! is the show that keeps the laughs rolling from the first note to the final bow.

A Musical Comedy That’s Anything but Rotten

Set in the Renaissance, Something Rotten! follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they try to outshine the popular William Shakespeare. When a soothsayer predicts that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting all at once, the Bottom brothers set out to create something new.

The Stratford Festival’s current production embraces every over‑the‑top moment with spectacular staging, clever direction, and a cast that knows exactly how to land a joke. Expect tap numbers, Shakespearean sass, and more Easter eggs for theatre lovers than you can count.

Why Families Will Love It

If your family enjoys musicals like Shrek, Matilda, or The Producers, Something Rotten! fits right into that sweet spot of clever humour and big Broadway-style numbers. It’s fast-paced, funny, and filled with references that theatre fans will adore, while still being accessible to new audience members.

NOTE: There is some coarse language so be aware (but it leads into the jokes).

Plan Your Visit

Something Rotten! is playing at the Stratford Festival this season, and tickets are already in high demand. You can find showtimes, cast details, and ticket availability directly on the Stratford Festival website and at these links

Website: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/Something-Rotten

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stratfest

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratfordFestival

X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/stratfest

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratford-festival

If you missed it the first time, or if you loved it as much as we did, this is your chance to experience the Renaissance all over again.

Final Thoughts

We adored Something Rotten! two years ago, and seeing it again reminded us why it became an instant favourite. It’s clever, joyful, and packed with musical theatre magic. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night, or a friends’ trip to Stratford, this show is a guaranteed good time.

Let the Renaissance begin again.

Canada Day Events 2026 in Kitchener Waterloo and Beyond

 

Canada Day is almost here and there are so many ways for families to celebrate across Waterloo Region and nearby communities. Whether you love fireworks, live music, parades, picnics or kid friendly activities, this list will help you plan a full day of fun. Everything below is family focused and easy to explore.

June 28 Bingemans Canada Day Celebration in Kitchener

Bingemans is celebrating early with a completely free Canada Day event. Families can enjoy The Almost Hip, The Nerds, a live DJ, family activities, lawn games and glitter tattoos. The night ends with the biggest fireworks show in the city.

Event details https://www.facebook.com/bingemans/photos/were-celebrating-canada-day-early-and-were-going-bigmark-your-calendars-for-june/1509342027901134 https://bingemans.com/events

July 1 Canada Day at Kitchener City Hall

Celebrate from noon until eleven p m at Kitchener City Hall. The day features kids activities, family entertainment, live performances and the headliner Glass Tiger. The night finishes with a fireworks show.

Full schedule https://www.kitchener.ca/arts-culture-and-events/events/canada-day

July 1 Waterloo Park Community Picnic

Waterloo Park hosts a community picnic with family friendly activities, live entertainment and a drone show in the evening. It is a relaxed way to celebrate with kids.

Event information https://www.waterloo.ca/arts-culture-and-events/city-events/july-1-community-picnic/

July 1 Doon Heritage Village Grand Opening

Doon Heritage Village celebrates its grand opening with historical demonstrations, family activities and special programming that brings the past to life.

Details https://www.regionofwaterloomuseums.ca/visit/doon-heritage-village/doon-heritage-village-grand-opening

July 1 Riverside Park Cambridge

Riverside Park hosts a full day of Canada Day fun. The parade begins at eleven a m followed by kids activities, live entertainment and fireworks at night.

More information https://www.cambridge.ca/news/posts/city-to-host-second-annual-canada-day-celebration-at-riverside-park https://www.cambridge.ca/recreation-culture/events-festivals/cambridge-canada-day/

July 1 Cambridge Calvary Church

Calvary Church in Cambridge offers a family carnival with games, activities and fireworks to end the night.

Event details https://cambridge.mycalvary.life/canadaday/

July 1 New Hamburg Norm Hill Park

Norm Hill Park in New Hamburg celebrates Canada Day with kids activities, community fun and fireworks.

Information https://www.wilmot.ca/recreation-and-culture/events/canada-day/

July 1 Ayr and North Dumfries Cowan Park

Cowan Park hosts a community celebration with kids activities, family fun and fireworks.

Event listing https://calendar.northdumfries.ca/default/Detail/2026-07-01-1800-July-1st-Community-Celebration2

July 1 Guelph at Riverside Park

Riverside Park in Guelph features a bouncy castle, family activities, live entertainment and fireworks.

Event details https://sonicunyon.com/canadadayguelph https://guelph.ca/2026/06/celebrate-canada-day-in-guelph/

July 1 Elmira and Township of Woolwich at Woolwich Memorial Centre

Families can enjoy a free swim along with community activities at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.

Event information https://events.woolwich.ca/default/Detail/2026-07-01-1200-Canada-Day-Celebration-Township-of-Woolwich

July 1 Drayton at Drayton Fairgrounds

Drayton celebrates Canada Day with a car show, family activities and fireworks.

Details https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/drayton-canada-day-celebrations-set-for-july-1/

July 1 Stratford

Stratford hosts a Canada Day parade along with family activities and fireworks in the evening.

Event schedule https://www.stratford.ca/play-here/upcoming-events/canada-day/#Activities

July 1 St Marys Ontario

St Marys offers a parade, kids activities and community fun throughout the day.

Information https://www.discoverstmarys.ca/see-and-do/festivals-and-events/canada-day/

July 1 Brantford Lions Park

Brantford celebrates at Lions Park with kids activities, live entertainment and fireworks.

Schedule https://www.brantford.ca/things-to-do/recreation/events/canada-day/schedules

July 1 Paris Ontario at Paris Lions Park

Paris Lions Park hosts family friendly Canada Day activities and entertainment.

Event details https://www.granthaven.com/post/canada-day-2026-celebrations-in-paris-and-brantford

July 1 Lynden Ontario

Lynden celebrates with a parade, community activities and fireworks.

Schedule https://www.lyndencanadaday.com/schedule-1

July 1 Woodstock Ontario

Woodstock offers kids activities, butterfly themed fun and fireworks at night.

Event information https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/recreation-culture/festivals-and-special-events/canada-day/

July 1 London Ontario at Harris Park

London celebrates at Harris Park with live entertainment, family activities and fireworks.

Details https://london.ca/newsroom/downtown-canada-day-your-guide-londons-2026-canada-day-celebrations