Kitchener to celebrate The Aud’s 75th anniversary with free open house
Posted Aug 24, 2026 03:26:36 PM.
Last Updated Aug 24, 2026 03:26:22 PM.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium has been the site of local memories for 75 years, and now the community gets a chance to relive those memories all over again at an open house event.
From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, an open house will be held at one of the region’s most iconic venues.
The open house will host a self-guided tour around select locations through the building. Attendees will receive a passport which they can check off at each stop they visit along the tour. Those who visit every spot and complete the passport will get the unique opportunity to see the Memorial Cup, the most prestigious tournament in junior hockey.
On May 31, the Kitchener Rangers hoisted the trophy for the club’s third time, and the hardware will now sit inside its walls for open house attendees to take pictures with after the tour.
Alongside the tour and photo opportunity, the open house will offer a free community skate, complimentary popcorn, and exclusive access to areas of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium that are usually excluded from public access. Admission to the open house is free and no advanced registration is required.
“The Aud has been bringing people together for 75 years, and this open house is an opportunity for residents to celebrate that legacy while experiencing the facility in a new way,” said Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Manager Ally Samms.
“Whether you’ve been attending events here for decades or you’re visiting for the first time, we hope the community will join us in marking this important milestone.”
Earlier in 2026, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic spoke of the Aud’s importance to the community.
“The legacy of The Aud is not just in the events it has hosted, but in the memories it has created for families, fans and visitors, making it one of the most important gathering places in our community and a symbol of our shared history,” said Vrbanovic.
“As Kitchener continues to grow, The Aud remains a constant, bringing people together through sport, entertainment, community celebrations and many of life’s other memorable moments. Its impact over the past 75 years is something we can all cherish and take pride in.”
History of The Aud
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium first opened its doors in 1951, as a tribute to the Canadian men and women who served in the Second World War. The facility was the fourth largest of its kind in Ontario, and was likened to that of Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens.
In 1994, The Aud’s main arena in which the Kitchener Rangers play was renamed to Dom Cardillo Arena, to honour he 12-year serving mayor of Kitchener from 1982 to 1994.
In 1951, the facility sat amongst a sea of farm fields, but in 2026, it now sits inside one of Kitchener’s busier residential areas.
Originally built for a capacity of roughly 5,000, multiple renovations have seen The Aud grow to seat up to 7,131 for hockey events, 7,777 including standing room areas, and over 8,000 for concerts and other shows.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium concludes its press release with the line “As The Aud continues to evolve and welcome new generations of visitors, the anniversary serves as an opportunity to reflect on its history, celebrate its impact and look ahead to its future as one of Kitchener’s premier gathering places.”
You can learn more about the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and its Wednesday open house celebration at the City of Kitchener’s website.
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