Enjoy Mother’s Day, Markets, and May Long Weekend this Month in Waterloo Region!

Celebrate Mother’s Day in Waterloo Region

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and there are so many unique ways to celebrate in Waterloo Region. Whether you’re treating your mom to a fancy brunch, planning a fun activity, or enjoying a quiet nature walk, there’s no shortage of ways to make her feel special.

• The Waterloo Central Railway is offering a High Tea Mother’s Day Luncheon. Enjoy a scenic train ride from St. Jacobs to Elmira, while enjoying an array of finger foods, drinks, and desserts.

• Spoil the mother in your life at Langdon Hall, offering a Special Mother’s Day Brunch, featuring local ingredients and seasonal dishes. Guests will also be offered a custom bouquet using fresh blooms, guided by florists.

• The Cambridge Mill is offering an all-you-can-enjoy brunch, and a Mother’s Day Dinner. Each meal offers a special, take-home gift for mothers.

• The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is holding a Mother’s Day Tea Party on May 11, where every guest will receive a complimentary yellow flower teacup and saucer.

• Celebrate Mother’s Day at Midtown Yoga in Belmont Village, Waterloo! On Sunday, May 11, enjoy a day of movement, love, and appreciation with free classes for moms — a perfect opportunity to slow down, recharge, and celebrate everything she does. Spots are limited, so be sure to pre-register on their website.

• Celebrate Mother’s Day with Blooms & Bonding and treat mom to a special experience with a hands-on Floral Arrangement Workshop at St. Jacobs Market! Join together or gift her a spot—it’s a beautiful way to show you care.

Have breakfast in bed or meal of your own planned? Don’t worry, there’s still lots of things you can do in Waterloo Region to celebrate the day.

• Enjoy a bike ride in Waterloo Region. There’s no better way to enjoy a warm spring day then an afternoon biking on local paths & trails.

• Mothers with an interest in bird watching can take advantage of the spring migration by exploring the Health Valley Trail, home to a number of wildlife – including red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows, American yellow warblers, and herons!

• Take the family to the Huron Natural Area to hike, enjoy a picnic, or take in the view from various look-outs.

• Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the scenic Grand River. Be careful though, you won’t want to take a plunge this early in the season!

Best Spring Markets, Fairs, & Expos Taking Place this May:

This May is packed with exciting local events – just the excuse you need to get out and explore something new:

• Just outside Blair, the 2025 Spring Plant Sale and EcoMarket will be taking place on the morning of Saturday, May 10. Choose from a diverse array of seedlings, with proceeds going towards the Food Bank Gardens at Springbank Farms.

• Calling all Kirby fans! On May 10, the first ever Kirby-dedicated festival called Poyofest will be taking place at Gaukel Block, Kitchener – bringing together local artists, vendors, and creators to celebrate Kirby and other squishy characters.

• St. Jacobs Market’s Open Air Antique Fair is taking place on the second Sunday of every month this summer, starting this May 11! Enjoy a display of antique furniture, clothing and more from multiple vendors in a relaxed, open atmosphere.

• The Fibre Arts Festival, aka WEFTFest, returns to Waterloo, from May 16-19. Expect demonstrations and talks, an opportunity for professional photography of your quilts, a contest for the best quilt submission, and over 25 fibre artist, designers, and booths.

• On May 24, the Whiskey Wonderland Cat Show will be taking place at the Galt Arena in Cambridge. The event will feature over 40 domestic breeds of cats, and offers open entry to even household cats – not just purebreds! Visitors can also expect a raffle table, numerous vendors, and activities over the course of the day.

• The Grand Indian Food Fair returns this year to the Kitchener City Hall on May 24-25. Offering a wide variety of Indian cuisine, the event also offers traditional Garba and Bhangra dancing, artistic vendors, and a watch party for the IPL T20 Finale Cricket Match.

• Browse through a wide selection of handmade goods by local artists while listening to music at the Waterloo Public Square Art Market on May 30. Enjoy shopping in the core of Waterloo while enjoying live music from Sarah McLeod.

• The Etsy Waterloo Region Spring Market returns to RIM Park in Waterloo this May 31. Over 80 vendors will be available at this massive market of local artisans.

• Enjoy a book sale of over 60 local authors at the 2025 Waterloo Bookfest, taking place on May 31 at the Waterloo Public Square. Find your next read, talk with local writers, and enjoy live readings.

Fill Your Victoria Day Weekend with Fun!

A long weekend means more time to relax, recharge, and explore what the Region has to offer:

• Enjoy an evening of fireworks, food, and activities in New Dundee on May 18. Expect live music, vendors, food trucks, and a beer tent to celebrate the long weekend.

• For the lovers of all things retro, KWFamous Vintage Fest takes place on May 17-18 in the heart of Uptown Waterloo. It’s sure to be a busy weekend, with events taking place from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm both days, including vendors, live music, a designer fashion show, pin up pageant, classic car show, and a rooftop roller disco!

• Or enjoy a picnic in Waterloo Region! Some great local spots include Waterloo Park (off the Westmount entrance), Homer Watson Park offers a great lookout spot, or Kolb Park off the Walter Bean Trail.

• Those looking for something more active may enjoy exploring the free disc golf courses in the area, or taking up geocaching in the area – offered free at all Region of Waterloo Library branches.

Events taking place this month

There’s no shortage of events happening this May, mark your calendars and get in on the action:

• Prospective breadmakers will want to check out Abe Erb Brewing Company’s Sips’n’Sourdough class on May 18, offering an easy-to-understand introduction to sourdough making while enjoying a tasty drink.

• Looking for a free activity for the whole family? Cambridge’s Gaslight District is hosting a free screening of Despicable Me 4 on May 20th. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and if you want, snacks! A local concession booth will also be available for those looking for fresh popcorn.

• The Centre in the Square is presenting a Pink Floyd tribute night on May 22, with Jeans’N’Classics, offering hits from the Wall & Dark Side of the Moon.

• Enjoy a tour of Uptown Waterloo unlike any you’ve seen before with Magic & Shenanigans, a guided tour festivals that pairs magicians from around the world with professional comedians, actors, and improv specialists. Tickets for the guided tours are available, but outdoor street magicians and other interactive events will be taking place during the course of the event on May 23-25.

• Families will want to mark down the Fam Jam in the Square, an event taking place at Bingemans on May 24. Live shows, bouncy inflatables, arts & crafts, and other activities will be available for families. The event is free for adults and children under 2 years old.

• On May 27, head over to Waterloo Public Square for Dance It Off Tuesdays! Local dance groups will be leading sessions every Tuesday through the summer, from 7:00-10:00pm, all skill levels welcome!

• Dancing not your style? How about roller blading? Every Monday through September will offer Roller Skating in the Downtown Kitchener Square. Skate rentals are available on site, but don’t forget a pair of socks!