Fall In Love With Fall In Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Cambridge

There’s a reason Fall is the best time of the year in Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Cambridge. Not only are there plenty of fantastic fall activities you can get in all kinds of Ontario cities, but the arts and community scenes really hit their stride with a cornucopia of different festivals and celebrations. This year is no exception, and there’s tons of events to tell you about. So let’s get started!

COMMUNITY

Guelph and Kitchener have such strong community focuses that everyone sees Fall as the last chance to come together. There’s all kinds of amazing gatherings that happen at this time of the year, and here’s a few to get your started!

Market Parkade Grand Opening (Oct. 26)

Folks who frequent downtown Guelph have known about the construction around a new award-winning parkade. On Oct. 26, there will be a grand opening celebration featuring free food samples from some local yummy-makers as well as live music and more. Parking in downtown just got a whole lot (how’s that for a pun?) easier.

Downtown Guelph Trick or Treat (Oct. 26)

You’ve put together your costume, you’ve gathered your pillowcase, but you can only go out for Halloween on one night? No thank-you! Fortunately, in what’s coming a terrific new Guelph tradition, there’s the Downtown Guelph trick-or-treat. This is a terrific chance to see Downtown as local businesses open up their doors and give out candy to those who come and visit. It’s a win-win for everybody!

Fair November (Nov. 14 - Nov. 17)

Every November, the University of Guelph hosts a big-ol craft fair which takes place in the University Centre. Over 20,000 people are expected to come together to experience a juried and hand-picked selection of hand-made things.

Farmer’s Markets (Saturdays in Guelph and Kitchener)

Harvests are coming in which means Fall is the best time of the year for Farmer’s market. While the Guelph Farmer’s market is well-known and year-round, fall is the best time to head over and collect some locally grown goodies. In the Kitchener-Waterloo region, the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market often hosts equally delicious and local treats.

Apple/Pumpkin Picking (Any time!)

Is there anything more autumny than a good ol’ apple or pumpkin pick? We are in the midst of the perfect time to rally up the family at hit the patch. Some locally favourite spots are: Strom’s Farm and Bakery, Chudleigh’s Farm, and the aptly named The Apple Orchard. Now get out there! Your Instagram account will thank you.

ARTS

Wasn’t kidding when I said there was a lot of arts coming up this season! It justifies another whole section of blog. Whatever your artistic leaning, there’s a little something-something for everybody.

Queer As F**k Fridays (Every Friday Night @ eBar)

Guelph is getting a little bit gayer every Friday with new LGBTQ+-dedicated events every Friday at eBar hosted by Guelph’s favourite drag queen Athena McQueen. There’s a new event every week including Guelph’s only dedicated queer dance party, as well as queer-a-oke, and more! Events can be found on the eBar event page on Facebook.

Halloween Shows: That’s My Drag Hal-o-Queen, Kazoo Spooktuactular and more (Nights Vary)

Halloween is getting artsy this year. Not only is there a big rock show happening in downtown Guelph on Oct. 30 courtesy of Guelph music festival, Kazoo, That’s My Drag: Drag Me to Hell is bringing a big drag showcase to The Guelph Concert Theatre which will be fantastically fabulous different kinf of dress-up. Surely these two shows are just the top of the spooky spooky iceberg too!

Rainbow Reels Film Festival (Oct. 18 - Oct. 26)

Every year Kitchener hosts one of the best LGBTQ+ film festivals in the country. It’s getting so big in fact, that there’s no longer just films that show. Comedy, spoken word, music and more community gatherings are slotted to happen and is worthy of a visit to Kitchener.

Guelph Film Festival (Nov. 1 - Nov. 9)

If you didn’t get enough films at rainbow reel, come the start of November, one of the Guelph Fab 5 festivals, The Guelph Film Festival returns in November. It’s 9 days of celebration of local and other documentary film makers in downtown Guelph. There’s bound to be something for everybody, so get your popcorn ready! 

We’ve only scratched the surface of the Fall fun in Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge - but that’s just a testament to all the awesome things that happen in these town on a regular basis. These cities are a great place to live all year round and if you don’t believe me, fall is a great time to come visit and find out why!