Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Waterloo Region and Guelph

A happy new year sign. (Source: Jill Wellington/Pexels)

The countdown to 2026 has begun!

Here are some of the parties planned for New Year’s Eve around Waterloo Region and Guelph.

Cambridge

New Year’s Eve Party at Cambridge Winterfest

When: Dec. 31, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Preston Memorial Auditorium at 1458 Hamilton St.

This family-friendly event is free! There will be public skating, a Turbo Max inflatable obstacle course, live entertainment, games, children’s crafts and more.

New Year’s Countdown on The Big Screen

When: Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Where: Gaslight District at 64 Grand Ave. S.

Watch the ball drop live from New York City’s Times Square on a big outdoor screen. This is a free event, so bundle up and bring your own snacks!

New Year’s Eve at the Cambridge Mill

When: Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.

Where: Pavilion at Cambridge Mill, 100 Water St N.

DJ Jamie will get the party started at 9 p.m. There will be a cocktail hour, cash bar and complimentary late-night snacks leading up to the midnight countdown. Tickets are $32.

Rockin’ NYE Bash with The Mudmen

When: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Where: Four Fathers Brewing Company at 125 Guelph Avenue

Pull up a seat or hit the dancefloor as The Mudmen help ring in 2026.

New Year’s Eve at Kingpin Cambridge for the Kids

When: Dec. 31

Where: Kingpin Cambridge at 2-355 Hespeler Road

Kingpin Cambridge is hosting a New Year’s Eve party for the kids, with an early countdown at 8 p.m. and an appearance from Bluey from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kitchener

New Year’s Eve: Night of Legends

When: Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. until midnight

Where: Kitchener City Hall/Carl Zehr Square

Head to downtown Kitchener for a full night of fun! There will be outdoor skating at Carl Zehr Square, free hot chocolate and party favours, a Pop 2K Mix Tape concert with tributes to your favourite 2000’s artists, a family-friendly ball drop at 10 p.m. and a Shania Twain tribute performance at 10:30 p.m., followed by countdown to 2026!

Romeo Sex Fighter NYE @ Elements

When: Dec. 31, doors open at 9 p.m.

Where: Elements Night Club at 90 King Street West

Romeo Sex Fighter will entertain the crowd with a blend of rock, funk and soul. Tickets are $38.61.

Family New Year’s Eve at FunworX and Kingpin Bowlounge/Tee in the New Year at Putt Social

When: Dec. 31

Where: Bingemans

Bingemans is hosting a fun-filled day for the whole family! There are special New Year’s Eve packages for FunworX, as well as the Kingpin Bowlounge and Putt Social. There will be an early New Year’s Eve countdown at 6 p.m. and the Paw Patrol crew will also make an appearance!

Yuk Yuk’s at Bingemans

When: Show starts at 8 p.m.

Where: Bingemans

Check out this adults-only stand-up show featuring comedians Dom Pare & DK Phan. Tickets $20.

Waterloo

New Year’s Eve: A family-friendly celebration

When: Dec. 31, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Uptown Waterloo/Waterloo Public Square

Enjoy outdoor ice skating, music, crafts and hot apple cider.

Glass Tiger: New Year’s Eve 2026

When: Dec. 31, doors open at 9 p.m.

Where: Maxwell’s at 35 University Avenue East

Glass Tiger is hitting the stage at Maxwell’s to ring in 2026! Tickets for this 19+ concert are $141.25.

Wilmot Township

Hubertushaus New Year’s Eve

When: Dec. 31, 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Where: Hubertushaus in Mannheim, 1605 Bleams Road

Tanzen, lachen und ins neue Jahr starten! (Dance, laugh and start the New Year!) A night of music, dancing, food and great company.

Guelph

Sparkles in the Park

When: Dec. 31

Where: Riverside Park at 709 Woolwich St

Sparkles in the Park wraps up its holiday run with one final event. The carousel will still be offering free rides on New Year’s Eve, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., but the fireworks and laser show have been cancelled due to the weather.