Share a peck along Waterloo Region’s Mistletoe Trail

The region’s snogging (and now award-winning) holiday tradition is returning, encouraging people to explore the area and share a kiss under unique installations.

The Mistletoe Trail spreads across seven municipalities throughout Waterloo Region and allows people to adventure through photo-ready, iconic areas, while also discovering local artists. The mistletoe installations created by artists each have a story behind the piece.

People can find the locations on a map the region created and learn more about the art piece by scanning the QR code at the location.

“The Mistletoe Trail is one of the region’s most anticipated holiday experiences,” Ashley Lansink, Director of Marketing at Explore Waterloo Region, said in the press release. “We’re thrilled to bring back this festive journey with fresh, new mistletoe creations for 2025.”

While at the location, visitors can find local shops, attractions and accommodations offering mistletoe-inspired treats and discounts. The goal was to create the trail into a full-day journey of discovering the best places to share a smooch in Waterloo Region.

Artist Laura Kwok created a piece called the Mistletoe Tea Party, which can be found in the wooden arch at the base of Castle Killbride in Wilmot Township. One of her goals was to blend “whimsy” and “Canadian spirit,” creating a teapot pouring sprigs of mistletoe.

“This trail is a celebration of artistic creativity, connection, and festive fun,” Lansick said of the event.

Last year’s edition of the trail won the Tourism Marketing Campaign Award (under $50,000) at the Ontario Tourism Award for Excellence.

Full list of Mistletoe Trail locations

• Cambridge: Holiday Network by Jordan Shaw
  Mistletoe Stop: The Lookout in the Pedestrian Bridge across the Grand River
  
• Kitchener: GlowToe by Skylar Dietze
  Mistletoe Stop: Downtown Kitchener Lightbox, Rotary Plaza behind City Hall
  
• Waterloo: Mistletoe in Motion by Heather Kocsis
  Mistletoe Stop: Mistletoe Lane in Uptown Waterloo
  
• Woolwich Township: Harvest by Elise Conlin
  Mistletoe Stop: TriSisters Art House, St. Jacobs
  
• Wilmot Township: Mistletoe Tea Party by Laura Kwok
  Mistletoe Stop: Castle Kilbride, Baden
  
• Wellesley Township: To Take and Give by Brianne Burnell
  Mistletoe Stop: InSeason Home + Garden, St. Clements
  
• North Dumfries Township: Sacred Gatherings by T.J. Henhawk
  Mistletoe Stop: The Pavilion, Centennial Park, Ayr