What’s happening on New Year’s Eve around Waterloo Region

With just hours left in 2025, celebrations to ring in the New Year will be taking place across Waterloo Region.

Here’s where to celebrate New Year’s Eve around the Region:

Kitchener

The City of Kitchener is hosting a couple of events to help ring in the New Year.

Night of Legends is coming to town Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to midnight with two ball drops planned. A family friendly one will drop at 10 p.m. and another later at midnight when the year switches to 2026. The community is invited to attend for free with parking located at Kitchener City Hall.

“We have been seeing it get bigger and bigger every year,” Manager of Special Events for Kitchener, Steve Roth, said. “The last couple years I would say we’ve been getting in the thousands of people.”

Roth added that the city plans to host the event despite any weather we may get, adding they have had fresh snow fall on New Year’s Eve that adds a magical ambience to the event.

“It’s going to be happening here at Carl Zehr Square, regardless of the weather, so make sure you bring your mitts, your scarf and your toque and your gloves – lets ring in the New Year together,” he said.

On Sunday, January 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. residents will have the chance to meet the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic, and other city councillors at the New Year’s Levee. The annual event is a tradition passed down from the royal family when the King would meet with his community. It’s now been adopted by local municipalities.

Roth said the mayor is excited for the event and this year is going to have a carnival theme, meaning there will be plenty of family-friendly activities like face painting, live music and children’s entertainers.

Waterloo

The City of Waterloo will be welcoming in the new year in Uptown Waterloo with its annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Starting at 6 p.m. residents are invited to take part in ice skating, music, crafts and entertainment.

The event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cambridge

City of Cambridge New Years Eve Party

The City of Cambridge is hosting a New Years Eve celebration at the Preston Memorial Auditorium. Activities include ice skating, Turbo Max inflatable obstacle course, live entertainment with Team T + J, concession stands, games, and more.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the event runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cambridge Kingpin Bowling

If you’re looking to get the kids out to celebrate New Years, Cambridge Kingpin Bowling will be hosting an early countdown. The bowling alley at 2-355 Hespeler Road in Cambridge will have several activities and a countdown at 8 p.m.

The cartoon character Bluey will also be making an appearance between 3 and 5 p.m.

Cambridge Mill New Year’s Eve Party

The Cambridge Mill Pavillion at 100 Water St. N. is hosting a New Years Eve Party. The event runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Rockin’ NYE Bash with the Mudmen

Four Fathers Brewing at 125 Guelph Ave. will be hosting a bash with a popular Canadian Celtic rock band The Mudmen. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show runs until midnight.

New Years Eve on The Big Screen at the Gaslight District

If you’re wanting to watch the ball drop in Times Square on the big screen, the Gaslight District is the place to be. The big screen at the centre court at the Gaslight District (64 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge) will be live streaming New York City’s Time Square on the big screen, and will include the countdown as well as the annual ball drop.

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