Province’s BYOB plans an ‘opportunity’ to boost tourism: Kitchener mayor
Posted Mar 24, 2026 04:26:12 AM.
Last Updated Mar 24, 2026 11:03:07 AM.
The province’s plans of bring-your-own-booze to festivals in Ontario this summer is an opportunity for growth in Kitchener, according to the city’s top brass.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the municipality has already loosened some rules around consuming alcohol at festivals and has seen a lot of success. For example, at the Christkindl Market, where festival goers this past year didn’t have to stay on the Kitchener City Hall ice-pad while drinking an alcoholic beverage.
“We don’t have problems with people running rampant with gluhwein through the downtown. It actually creates a better environment, instead of someone guzzling it, being able to walk around and enjoy it while they enjoy many of the cultural and retail opportunities as part of something like Christkindl.”
Vrbanovic adds it’s a potential opportunity for the province to boost local tourism, culture and economic activity.
Festival organizers can begin to apply for BYOB permits beginning April 30. Those permits are optional.
Before then, municipalities would have to put together a bylaw to allow the consumption of alcohol in a public space, and then look at what festivals it makes sense to apply that bylaw to.
“What is the nature of the event? Who is the typical audience? Is it more family-oriented or is it an older crowd? Those are things we are going to want to consider.”
Vrbanovic notes the city will be engaging with both council and the public on what makes the most sense moving forward.
Last week, Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett posted a video on social media, speaking out against the planned legislation, saying it will come at a steep cost to taxpayers and could mean additional safety concerns.
