Make the most of summer in Waterloo! ☀️🎉
Grab your friends and family and explore an exciting lineup of outdoor festivals, performances, and fun happening across the city from May through August 2026. 🎭🎶
🎟️ Free for all ages and family-friendly
These events are hosted by Create Waterloo, the @citywaterloo arts and creative industries team.
🔗 Follow us along for upcoming details, or visit waterloo.ca/events (link in bio)
☀️🛍️ Outdoor Art Market season is here!
Shop a variety of handmade goods from talented local artists, crafters, and makers while enjoying live music in the heart of uptown Waterloo.
📆 May 29 | July 24 | August 14
⏰ Market: 5–9 p.m. | Music: 7–9 p.m.
📍 Waterloo Public Square
Don’t miss additional Art Markets at:
🎨 Open Streets on June 13
🎨 July 1 Community Picnic in Waterloo Park
Shop handmade, listen local, and celebrate Waterloo’s creative community! 🎨🎶
(Vendor applications are now closed)
📚☀️ It’s book lovers’ favourite time of year - Waterloo’s annual Bookfest is here!
This annual outdoor book festival features a full afternoon of live readings and book sales from 50+ local authors.
⏰ May 30, 2026 from 2-8 p.m.
📍 Waterloo Public Square (75 King St S)
Hosted by @kwwriters with support from @create_waterloo .
👉 Find this years attending authors: kwwritersallianca.com/bookfest-2026
🎨 Applications are now OPEN for the Neighbourhood Picnic Table Program!
We’re inviting local artists to transform picnic tables into vibrant works of public art across Waterloo.
Up to 8 artists will be selected to paint their original designs on picnic tables that will be enjoyed by local residents for up to 3 years. This initiative is presented in partnership with @create_waterloo and the @citywaterloo Neighbourhoods team.
📅 Deadline: May 7, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Help us turn everyday spaces into works of art! 💛 Apply now — waterloo.ca/open-calls (Link in bio)
📷 By artist @nagayamaaa in Bluestream Park
🎨 Artists, makers and creatives — the deadline is almost here! 📣 Applications for this summers Art Markets are closing soon.
We’re inviting both emerging and established artists working in any discipline suitable for an outdoor market. Vendors will be selected based on artistic merit, experience, and the overall quality of work and display.
📆 2026 dates: May 29, June 13, July 1, July 24, August 14
⏰Applications close: March 26, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Spots are limited — apply now! 🔗 waterloo.ca/open-calls (link in bio)
🎶✨ Calling local talent! Ready to have your voice heard in a whole new way?
The City of Waterloo’s Trail Mix Program is BACK — and your original track could become the soundtrack to someone’s daily walk. 🚶🎧
Selected artists will be featured along Waterloo trails, where residents can scan a QR code to experience your work on the go.
🎙️ Open to musicians, bands and spoken-word
🗓️ Apply by: April 30, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Share your sound. Be discovered. Connect with your community.
👉 Learn more and submit: waterloo.ca/open-calls (link in bio)
#LocalMusic #TrailMix #ExploreWaterloo #CreateWaterloo
✨ Deadline extended ✨
Don’t miss your chance to participate in LUMEN, the City of Waterloo’s annual festival of light, art and technology! 💡
This year’s festival takes place Saturday, September 19 from 6–11 p.m. throughout uptown Waterloo. Up to ten artists will be selected and will receive $2,000 (inclusive of artist fees, transportation, supplies, etc.).
📅 New deadline: March 26, 2026 by 5 p.m.
Learn more and apply: Waterloo.ca/Lumen (link in bio)
Calling local community organizations! 📢
🎉 You’re invited to be part of this year’s July 1 Community Picnic in Waterloo Park.
This family-friendly event will take place from 4-10 p.m. on the west side of Waterloo Park. Community members will be invited to enjoy an afternoon of activities with family, friends and neighbours.
We’re currently looking for community organizations located within the Region of Waterloo, specifically non-profits and arts organizations who are interested in hosting their own event booth. This is a great opportunity to share information, offer interactive activities, and connect with the community.
📆 Application deadline: April 23, 2026 at 5 p.m.
👉 Learn more and apply: Waterloo.ca/July-1 (link in bio)
[CONTEST CLOSED] GIVEAWAY TIME 🛍️
We’re counting down to the International Women’s Day Market on March 6, our annual celebration of women-led small businesses in Waterloo.
To celebrate, we’re giving away a curated gift basket featuring products from our market vendors. All from local, women-led businesses and worth $100 in value.
How to enter:
✅ Like this post
✅ Tag your favourite women-led Waterloo business in the comments. Multiple comments = multiple entries.
Contest closes March 4 at 12 p.m. The winner will be contacted by direct message and can pick up their prize at the market. No purchase necessary.
Event Details:
International Women's Day Market and Panel Discussion
March 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. at The CIGI Campus, with a panel discussion from 5 to 7 p.m.
Free to attend, advanced registration encouraged (link in bio)
This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.
🎨 Calling local artists, crafters, and makers - applications are NOW OPEN to participate in this summer’s Art Markets! 🛍️
This vendor opportunity will take place from May to August alongside other @citywaterloo festivals and events. Emerging and established artists working in any discipline suitable to an outdoor market are welcome to apply. Vendors will be selected based on artistic merit, experience, and the overall quality of work and display.
📅 2026 dates: May 29, June 13, July 1, July 24, August 14
Apply by: March 26, 2026 at 5 p.m.
☀️ Ready to showcase your work this summer? Learn more and apply today through the link in our bio.
🎥✨ Our outdoor movie nights are coming back—and we want to hear from YOU!
🍿🎬 From crowd-pleasing classics to animated favorites and summer blockbusters, comment below what movies you’d love to watch this summer 👇 Your suggestion could hit the big screen!
🌳 Movies in the Park runs from June to August in Waterloo Park, presented in partnership with @princesscinemas . While we’d love to screen everyone’s picks, movie selections are subject to availability.
Discover more FREE events at waterloo.ca/events (Link ink bio)
Looking for a midweek date idea with hot beats and community vibes? ❄️⛸️
Head to the Waterloo Public Square every Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. for the final month of Skate Night Date Night!
Enjoy ice skating under the stars to live sets by @djkingkadeem and a cozy bonus—complimentary hot drinks to the first 50 guests at the @goose_grinds food truck! ☕️
🎶 Feb 4: Dancehall and Soca
🎶 Feb 11: Dance Music
🎶 Feb 18: 2000’s
🎶 Feb 25: Latin Music
Need ice skates? Check out rentals a short walk away at @mcphailscycle
👉 Learn more about upcoming events through the link in bio.
![[CONTEST CLOSED] GIVEAWAY TIME ️We’re counting down to the International Women’s Day Market on March 6, our annual celebration of women-led small businesses in Waterloo.To celebrate, we’re giving away a curated gift basket featuring products from our market vendors. All from local, women-led businesses and worth $100 in value.How to enter: Like this post Tag your favourite women-led Waterloo business in the comments. Multiple comments = multiple entries.Contest closes March 4 at 12 p.m. The winner will be contacted by direct message and can pick up their prize at the market. No purchase necessary.Event Details:International Women's Day Market and Panel DiscussionMarch 6 from 3 to 8 p.m. at The CIGI Campus, with a panel discussion from 5 to 7 p.m.Free to attend, advanced registration encouraged (link in bio)This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram.](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6742525044455163321118_0_79d98553d1575ef020b031ed03dcece0.jpg?o=aHR0cHM6Ly9zY29udGVudC1pYWQ2LTEuY2RuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS92L3Q1MS44Mjc4Ny0xNS82NDI1MjgzODRfMTg1NzAyNDY4ODkwMTI4OThfNDc0NTY4ODg2OTQ5MDE5NTE0NV9uLmpwZz9zdHA9YzAuMTM1LjEwODAuMTA4MGFfZHN0LWpwZ19lMzVfczY0MHg2NDBfc2gyLjA4X3R0NiZfbmNfaHQ9c2NvbnRlbnQtaWFkNi0xLmNkbmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20mX25jX2NhdD0xMDImX25jX29jPVE2Y1oyZ0ZqN2RiSE9tTDBManM0bm13X05CSnBqc1pSaXp4eTRDZ001czNXam5NZjh4bmx2ODA4aWd5MW91b3NVczZPT28wT1hYUnl3VzJjYndaaDV0U25xNjExJl9uY19vaGM9VktIV1lsSzNNODRRN2tOdndIejcySWImX25jX2dpZD1vcEQ0QzhmazF2eWs5NFNSUTZrNmhnJmVkbT1BUFU4OUZBQkFBQUEmY2NiPTctNSZvaD0wMF9BZjVYc3MyYThqUEt2VG5FTEc3T3FJRmx0dVU5c2V4Ylc3a2tLMGRMNkt1NUx3Jm9lPTZBMEVCRDgwJl9uY19zaWQ9YmMwYzJj&h=24a28dd721a7b11e9e000c30300002fd)
