Escape the winter blues and make some frosty memories at Winterloo, the City of Waterloo’s annual winter festival! On Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. join in the free, family-friendly fun in the heart of Uptown Waterloo at Waterloo Public Square and the Visitor Information Centre. This event has been around for 21 years and is host to thousands of guests annually from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and beyond . Keep reading for an exclusive chat with Scott McGovern, Festival and Events Specialist for the City of Waterloo, as he spills the inside scoop on what’s in store for the 2025 Winterloo festival!
This yearly celebration, hosted by Create Waterloo (The City of Waterloo's official Arts & Creative Industries team), promises a full day of winter-themed activities. Watch skilled ice carvers transform blocks of ice into stunning sculptures, enjoy outdoor ice skating (bring your own skates or rent!), and groove to live beats spun by DJ King Kadeem. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in comfort food at the Uptown Waterloo BIA Comfort Food Crawl, sweeten your day at the maple taffy station, and warm up with hot drinks and treats from local food trucks. Teachers on Call's in-person and online tutors encourage families to find ways to embrace the season and enjoy all that our vibrant communities have to offer. Want to keep the winter fun going? Try these 5 Fun STEM Chemistry Experiments to Try This Winter.
More about Winterloo Locations in Uptown Waterloo
Break away from the winter blues with indoor and outdoor winter-themed activities on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in uptown Waterloo, known as the vibrant city centre and cultural heart of Waterloo, Ontario.
For visitors new to the area, Uptown Waterloo is known for shopping, dining, arts, and events.
The Winterloo festival's 2 main locations are:
Waterloo Public Square (75 King Street South, Waterloo, ON, N2J 1P2)
Visitor Information Centre (the former train station at 10 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, ON N2L 6M3).
In addition to the beloved winter celebration, Uptown Waterloo is known for many famous festivals such as The Jazz Festival, Buskers Festival and Lumen, and is also home to the world-renowned Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (31 Caroline St N, Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5) and Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery (25 Caroline St N, Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y525 Caroline St N, Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5). So, enjoy Winterloo and stay awhile, there is ample reason to visit and explore the neighbourhood!
Please note: This festival is weather dependent and will be postponed to Saturday, February 1, 2025 in case of inclement weather. See you there for a chilly good time!
Check out our interview with Scott McGovern – Festival and Events Specialist at the City of Waterloo:
The city's annual cold weather festival is a beloved tradition. Can you share a bit about the history behind Winterloo? What inspired the creation of this festival?
Winterloo is the city's annual cold weather festival happening on January 25, 2025.
Winterloo is an annual, free for all ages festival that is open to the public and run by the City of Waterloo’s Arts and Creative Industries team, Create Waterloo.
Attendees can
- Bring your own skates to enjoy outdoor ice skating
- Jam out to music spun live by DJ King Kadeem
- Play the pop-up giant games with friends and family
- Meet the sled dogs
- Take part in the Uptown Waterloo BIA Comfort Food Crawl
- Sweeten your day at the maple taffy station
- Warm up with hot drinks and treats from local food trucks
This year's Winterloo sponsor is Farm Boy. You can find them in Waterloo Public Square for free samples, store coupons and more!
As Winterloo celebrates another year, what are some of the most memorable moments from past festivals that families continue to talk about?
Perhaps the biggest attraction of Winterloo is the chance for children to try dog sledding. This has been an attraction since the first years of the festival.
How does Winterloo connect with the city’s history, and how has it become an event that both locals and visitors look forward to each year?
Winterloo is Waterloo’s largest winter event. Because it has been running for over two decades, sometimes parents who attended the festival as children now bring their own children.
What are some of the unique outdoor activities or events that families can enjoy together during the festival? Is there any equipment that is recommended to bring in advance or are rentals available for activities like skating?
People should dress to be comfortable in the cold weather. If they wish to skate but do not own skates, they are available to rent at McPhail’s Cycle Sports (98 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J 2X4) less than a block from the rink.
How do winter-themed art installations or performances engage children and promote learning through art and culture?
People have the chance to watch the ice carvers make their sculptures. This year, a local artist named Agnes Niewiadomski from Mindful Makers will create a large throne made from colourful blocks of ice that people can sit on.
What tips do you have for families to make the most of their time at Winterloo and ensure it’s both fun and educational for everyone?
Dress warm, try to see everything, enjoy some hot beverages and food, and don’t let the cold weather stop you from having fun.
How does Winterloo embrace winter in a way that encourages families to be active outdoors and enjoy the season together?
Although the Canadian winter can make people want to hibernate, it is good to get outside and be part of something fun in your community.
Where are all the Winterloo events taking place, and do participants need to register in advance for any of them?
All events are in the Waterloo Public Square (75 King Street South, Waterloo, ON, N2J 1P2) and in the parking lot of the Visitor Information Centre. The two sites are less than one block away. No advanced registration is required - just show up and have fun.
Is Winterloo looking for volunteers this year? If so, do you accept student volunteers who are looking to complete volunteer hours toward their high school graduation requirement?
Winterloo does rely on the help of volunteers. Volunteers apply though the City of Waterloo’s website, and high school students can use these hours for their requirement.
Which local food trucks will be serving up hot beverages and snacks at Winterloo? Is there an added cost for these items, and what parts of the festival are free versus extra?
Fo’ Cheesy, Beavertails, and Hissing Goose Coffee will all have food trucks on site with hot food and beverages for a cost.
Winterloo has become a staple in the community. How has the festival evolved over the years, and what makes this year's edition special?
Winterloo features many annual attractions that have become known over the years, yet each year we aim to improve to make the visitor experience better by adding new features. For example, this year we will have 6 giant games provided by Spiniko which will be new for this event.
Winterloo is the perfect opportunity to embrace the cold and create lasting memories with friends and family. With a mix of exciting outdoor activities, delicious food, and stunning art installations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Uptown Waterloo. Whether you’re watching ice carvers at work, enjoying the Comfort Food Crawl, or trying your hand at dog sledding, the day is sure to be filled with fun and warmth despite the chilly weather. Plus, with a little something for everyone—from kids to adults—this festival remains a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike. Looking for more winter fun this year? Check out this list of Family-Friendly Adventures Across Canada This Season!
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