Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Nov. 22 to 24
Watch 2 shows as part of The Nightmare Before Wrestling, plus lots of artisan and craft markets
Bundle up and have the rain gear ready this weekend because it's going to very much feel like a November weekend with temperatures in the single digits and some rain in the forecast.
There are two Santa Claus parades this weekend: Elmira and Puslinch.
Gift of Lights opens this weekend at Bingemans in Kitchener with a drive-thru light display. This will run until Jan. 5.
It's the second weekend of St. Jacobs Sparkles, with carolers, burn barrels, visits by Santa and horse-drawn wagon rides.
Royal City Musical Productions The Little Mermaid is on stage at the River Run Centre in Guelph with multiple shows this weekend.
The Kitchener Rangers will host the Windsor Spitfires Friday night before hitting the road Saturday to play the Erie Otters.
The Guelph Storm are on the road this weekend with one game on the schedule. They'll face the Sudbury Wolves on Friday night.
The K-W Titans also have their home opener Saturday at The Aud. They're taking on the Toledo Glass City Wranglers.
If you're driving, here are some local gas prices:
Phil Kline's Unsilent Night
Friday at 6:45 p.m.
Start at Civic Square outside Cambridge's city hall
Thousands of people are expected to take part in this musical walking tour that includes illuminated art installations.
The music of Phil Kline will play through speakers as people walk through the route. There are more than 30 cities that take part in this one-night event and the City of Cambridge says this local event is the largest.
WATCH | City of Cambridge's video of the Unsilent Night 2019:
Bonus: e/motion
Starts Friday and runs for a month
This display outside city hall is a "revisited version" of a see-saw that is like riding an infinite wave, the city says on its website. Tuesday is the official kick-off night with live entertainment, and there will be events around the installation over the next month, but people can check it out early this weekend.
CPKC Holiday Train
Sunday
4:14 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. 10 Malcolm St., Cambridge
5:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Inglis Street and Wilson Street, Ayr
See performances from American Authors and KT Tunstall perform as part of the holiday train. The train is lit up with holiday lights and will stop for the concert before moving on to the next stop.
The event is a fundraiser for the local food bank.
Festival Of Neighbourhoods Summit
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Kitchener city hall
For people who have been interested in getting more involved in their neighbourhoods, this is a good place to start.
There will be presentations and interactive roundtable discussions about how to foster community connections. People are invited to join the conversations. Light refreshments will also be provided.
The Nightmare Before Wrestling
Saturday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Union, 124 Sydney St. S., Kitchener
An afternoon festive wrestling show for all ages, this event is being held by Off The Ropes Studio and will feature local wrestlers like Bruce Thunderstein with Side Hustle, Kayda Cyn, Izzy Dubs, ORNG Julius and more.
A similar show will take place in the evening but this is for adults. See Roughhouse Black, Daddy Davis, Sabrina Kyle and more. Tickets required for both shows.
Holiday markets
There are, again, a number of artisan and craft markets happening in the area. Plan your days accordingly.
Friday:
- Sip n Shop night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Jacobs Farmers Market.
- Stratford Makers Market runs 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
- Starlight Shopping in downtown Elora until 9 p.m.
Saturday:
- A Very Merry Handmade Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Dundee Community Centre.
- Winter Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gale Presbyterian Church in Elmira.
- Riverside Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverside Public School in Elmira.
- Kwartzlab Holiday Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kwartzlab, 145 Bedford Rd., Kitchener.
- Breithaupt Centre's Snowflake Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Breithaupt Community Centre in Kitchener.
- Holiday Creator Market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Federation Hall at the University of Waterloo.
- Coolest Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener.
- Christmas Handmade Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lyle Hallman Pool in Kitchener.
- Shop Til You Drop vendor market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Toes Across The Floor, 330 Gage Ave., Kitchener.
- Stratford Makers Market runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
- Merry Muskrat Market runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Guelph Civic Museum.
- Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Guelph Lake Commons Independent Retirement Living, 520 Victoria Rd. N.
- MKT MKT November Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church, Guelph.
- Christmas Craft Show and Vendor Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakeside Church in Guelph.
- Paris Sip n Shop Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Paris Fairgrounds.
Sunday:
- Coolest Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener.
- Gift Grab Market from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Chevron Club in Guelph.
- Santa Shops Local Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delta Hotel in Guelph.
- Paris Sip n Shop Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Paris Fairgrounds.
Heads up event: Rock The Halls for Mental Health
Thursday, Nov. 28, doors open 6:30 p.m.
Maxwell's Concerts and Events, Waterloo
This event is on a Thursday night, so wouldn't typically make it into the 5 fun things column, but the concert is organized by Avalon Stone and features musicians including Stone, Skye Wallace, Feral Minks, A Short Walk To Pluto, Vilivant, Dammit Goldie, The Animal Warfare Act and more.
All profits go to support 9-8-8, the Canada-wide suicide hotline run by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
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