Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: May 30 to June 1

CBC

30-05-2025

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The calendar will turn a page this weekend from May to June with some moderate temperatures in the forecast ahead of what's expected to be a hot week.
Art Market returns to uptown Waterloo Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This monthly market features handmade goods created by local artists, crafters, and makers and people can also enjoy live music in Waterloo Public Square.
The Treading Theatre Festival has performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Schneider Haus in Kitchener. The festival features local and independent artists with a few different productions in different areas of the museum including the attic, kitchen and outside.
Theatre festival featuring independent artists coming to Kitchener
4 days ago
Duration 1:03
There's a new festival in Kitchener this week. The Treading Theatre Festival features plays by local and independent artists. It will transform the Schneider Haus national historic site into a stage. Co-creators Ciarán Myers and Maria Colonescu told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty more about the festival.
The Fergus Fiber Festival is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be demonstrations, displays, vendors and live animals including alpacas, sheep and angora rabbits at the event in downtown Fergus.
There's a citywide yard sale in Stratford Saturday morning with people setting up on their front lawns, driveways and trunk sales in parking lots.
The Etsy Waterloo Region Spring Market will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RIM Park in Waterloo, featuring more than 75 local artisans.
A Bike Month kickoff event is going to be held in Royal City Park near downtown Guelph Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a community ride, a free repair stand plus activities for children.
On Sunday, there's a Writer's Market and Summertime Storytelling Clothesline Art Sale at Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener. Art for sale will include pieces themed primarily around the literary world.
If unique vehicles are your thing, there will be the Downtown Guelph Exotic Car Show Sunday starting at 12 p.m.
The Kitchener Panthers host the Barrie Baycats on Sunday with first pitch at 2 p.m. at Jack Couch Park.
The Guelph Royals have a 1 p.m. game Saturday at home versus the London Majors, then hit the road Sunday to take on Hamilton.
If you need to drive this weekend, here are some local gas prices:
Open Ears
All weekend
Various locations downtown Kitchener
This festival features a mix of local, national and international artists in a variety of unique performances and workshops. The festival plays with sound. That includes an art installation that combines data, sound and light that people can interact with, a synth petting zoo — synthesizers and electronic instruments people can try out — and various performances people can watch and experience.
There are some free events and some are ticketed.
Open Ears website
Pride Eve Party
Saturday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
22 Bridgeport Rd. W., Waterloo
On the eve of Pride month, this all-ages party will have something for everyone. The afternoon begins with a clothing swap, then there's line dancing, an open mic session, live music and a drag show. Throughout the event there will also be vendors and services set up in the hall.
Guelph Dance Festival
All weekend
Various locations
This festival features various dance performances, workshops and a dance party to celebrate.
Workshops and performances in Exhibition Park are pay-what-you-can while there are ticketed events at the River Run Centre and the University of Guelph ImprovLab.
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale
Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. until late afternoon
New Hamburg Arena
This very popular event gets underway Friday night when people can get a preview of the incredible quilts that will be on the auction block on Saturday, listen to music, check out some vendors and take part in the Voices Together Community Hymn Sing in the grandstand.
On Saturday, there's a pancake and sausage breakfast to start the day. A special run will begin at 8 a.m. and then the quilt auction gets underway at 8:30 a.m.
There are family events throughout the day including a kids zone and an outdoor "work and play" auction.
Bee and Pollinator Day
Saturday 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Waterloo Public Library, Eastside Branch
Celebrate bees and other pollinators at this all-ages, drop-in event. People can make a bee house, create pollinator-friendly seed paper and plant flowers using seeds from the seed library.
Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Waterloo Public Library, Eastside Branch
Local author Kate Jenks Landry will be reading from her new picture book A Summer Without Anna. There will also be special activities, songs and crafts.
Kitchener author's new book tells nostalgic story of summers spent in cottage country
2 days ago
Duration 1:32
Kitchener author Kate Jenks Landry has a new children's book out. A Summer Without Anna tells the story of a young Junie who spends the summer with her grandparents because her older sister is sick. While Junie misses her family, she also has little adventures — including looking for an elusive giant turtle. Kate Jenks Landry told CBC K-W's Aastha Shetty more about the new book, which was inspired by the author's own life.
Bonus: Hohner Ave. Porch Party
Saturday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Hohner Avenue, Kitchener
Bring a lawn chair and some snacks and lawn hop to various concerts in the neighbourhood for this annual porch party. Performers include Michael Bennett, Eric Jackson and the Willow River Band, Silvia Dee and The Boyfriend, Gin Lane, Friday Empire, The Knockoffs and more. The finale will feature Mixology a capella chorus and Onion Honey.