Arts & Culture

The renowned Mennonite and Amish farmers, Pennsylvania Dutch settlers who came to Waterloo Region more than a century ago, bring a unique perspective to the Region's agriculture sector and local farmers' markets.

The Region is rich in history and tradition. Visitors come from all over the world to take part in Oktoberfest and experience the famous farmers' markets of St. Jacobs, Kitchener and Waterloo. Other popular attractions include Cambridge's Southworks Outlet Mall, Doon Heritage Crossroads, the historical Joseph Schneider Haus, and the birthplace of William Lyon Mackenzie King. The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, Wellesley Apple Butter Festival, the Mennonite Relief Sale and the ethnic festivities of Cambridge's Portuguese community are also favourites with the tourists and residents alike.

The arts play an important role in life in the Region. Amateur and professional companies present plays, dances, and other artistic works at complexes such as Kitchener's Centre in the Square or at the two universities. The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonic Choir offer a variety of concerts on a seasonal basis. A number of galleries, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, bring numerous shows to the area on a regular basis.

Rich in heritage and culture, the Waterloo Region is home to the world’s largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany and other annual festivals such as the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival and Elmira Maple Festival.

Theatres and Concert Halls

 

Cambridge Centre for the Arts Phone: 519-622-9676 Church Theatre Phone: 519-886-0660 Galt Little Theatre Phone: 519-623-4076 Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Music Society Phone: 519-886-1673 Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra Phone: 519-745-4711 K-W Little Theatre Phone: 519-886-0660 The Centre in the Square Phone: 519-578-1570

The Grand Philharmonic Choir Phone: 519-578-1570 The Registry Theatre Phone: 519-745-6565 Kings Street Theatre Centre Phone: 519-571-0928 Theatre on the Edge Phone: 519-886-4577 Waterloo Community Arts Centre Phone: 519-886-4599 Waterloo Entertainment Centre Phone: 519-883-0300

Galleries, Museums & Libraries

There are more than 40 public and private galleries, and 20 libraries in the Region, including:

Brubacher House Phone: 519-886-3855 Cambridge Galleries Phone: 519-621-0460 Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery Phone: 519-746-1882 Castle Kilbride Phone: 519-634-8444 Doon Heritage Crossroads Phone: 519-748-1914 Elam Martin Farmstead Homer Watson House & Gallery Phone: 519-748-4377

Joseph Schneider Haus Museum Phone: 519-742-7752 Kitchener Industrial Artifacts Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Phone: 519-579-5860 Woodside: Mackenzie King Estate Phone: 519-571-5684 Rotunda Gallery Steckle Farmstead Phone: 519-748-4690 Waterloo Regional Children's Museum Phone: 519-749-9387

Source: Kitchener Waterloo Tourism Marketing Corporation, 2008.

For an extensive listing of area artists and offerings, contact Waterloo Regional Arts Council
Phone: 519-744-4552