Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: Jan. 31 to Feb. 2
This weekend looks like it will be a rollercoaster weather-wise, with sunny skies but cold temperatures on Saturday, then cloudy with a chance of flurries and rain on Sunday but milder temperatures.
Sunday is Groundhog Day. All weekend, if you're willing to brave the weather, head to Wiarton for the annual Wiarton Willie Festival. There are events all weekend including a chili cook-off, dance, craft market, skating with the Owen Sound Attack hockey team and Willie makes his early spring/six more weeks of winter prediction at 8:07 a.m. Sunday.
The Winter Rainbow Festival is on Sunday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stratford Army Navy in Stratford. There will be music, hot chocolate, pizza, local craft vendors and more at this family friendly event to support the 2SLGBTQ+ youth organization Generation Rainbow Collective.
There's also a winter market at the Red Chevron Club in Guelph on Sunday afternoon hosted by the arts collective The Hive.
The K-W Titans basketball team are on the road with two games this weekend against the Newfoundland Rogues.
The Kitchener Rangers are on the road all weekend.
The Guelph Storm are home for two games. On Friday night, they host the Sarnia Sting. Sunday afternoon, the Ottawa 67's will be at the Sleeman Centre.
Celebrate Lunar New Year
Saturday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
RIM Park, Waterloo
This drop-in, free program hosted by the Waterloo Public Library and the Waterloo Region Chinese Canadian Association will feature music, dancing, crafts and various activities.
The event will take place in Forbes Hall.
Waterloo Public Library event page
Hillside Inside
Friday to Sunday
Various locations in Guelph
The winter version of the summer festival is back, but this year there are more than just musical options.
Friday there's yoga and a shoulder massage class. Then in the evening, enjoy a concert with Logan Staats and Katie Tupper.
On Saturday, there's printmaking, learn to play spoons and washboard, various concerts including the Jamschool Youth Showcase in the afternoon and then Golden Feather with The Vaudevillan perform in the evening.
Sunday take in Girls and Guitars, a dance workshop, bluegrass sessions and a community gathering.
Bonus: Music Weekends in Downtown Guelph
This group has partnered with Hillside Inside to present Rowan Tree at the Red Brick Cafe on Saturday afternoon and the Hillside Bluegrass Session with Shane Cook & The Woodchippers at Miijidaa Café on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Facebook page
The Brush Off
Saturday, 7 p.m. to late
TheMuseum, downtown Kitchener
Artists will create original pieces during this art-making competition. People attending can vote for their favourites and bid on a painting to take home.
TheMuseum event page
A Midwinter Singer-Songwriter's Circle
Sunday 7:30 p.m. start
Wesley United Church, Cambridge
This event brings together singer-songwriters Karen MacLeod, Michael Kelly Cavan and Amanda Kind who will be backed by four session musicians — Fred Smith on guitar, Paul Stouffer on piano, Tom Nagy on bass and Don McDougall on drums — for a night of music, stories and songs.
Tickets are pay what you can but donations are welcome.
TicketScene event page
Cherry Park Neighbourhood Skating Party
Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
84 Strange St., Kitchener
Join neighbours at the outdoor rink in the Cherry Park area of the city for some skating, then enjoy free hot chocolate, hot dogs and donuts.
If you're looking for fun activities this winter to get the most out of the snow, an interactive map from Wellington County lists a whole bunch of ideas.
It includes outdoor campfires, winter yoga with alpacas, ice climbing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing. If being outside isn't your jam, indoor events are also listed.
Elora Village of Lights is one highlighted event. Each weekend until March 16, there will be a pop-up skating rink, public fire tables, drink and food stations and entertainment throughout the downtown core and, of course, lights at night to brighten up the experience.
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