Canada Day

Entertainment and activities

Entertainment schedule

• 12 - 7 p.m. – Canada Play Kids' Zone
• 2 - 2:40 p.m. – Sydney Jones
• 3 - 3:40 p.m. – Christian Miles
• 4 - 4:40 p.m. – Cheap Shirt
• 4:40 - 6 p.m. – DJ Canada Day Party with Twenty Five Roses
• 6 - 7 p.m. – These Eyes: Music of the Guess Who
• 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. – Steve Strongman
• 9 - 10:30 p.m. – Glass Tiger
• 10:40 p.m. – Pyrotechnic light show

Programming is subject to change.

Canada Play kids' zone

Canada Day kicks off with our Canada Play kids' zone, where families play the Canadian way. Visit the St. Louis - Kitchener Main Campus across from City Hall from noon to 7 p.m. to open the celebration with a full day of free family fun. Kids of all ages - including kids at heart - will get to enjoy:

• rides
• games
• food
• family-friendly entertainment
• and more!

Celebration in Carl Zehr Square

Sydney Jones

Kitchener singer-songwriter Sydney Jones is known for her raw, honest songwriting and distinctive blend of indie, pop, alternative country and folk. Influenced by artists like Brandi Carlile and Phoebe Bridgers, she showcases her sound on her debut EP Not My People, produced by Rob Szabo. From 2024–2026, she opened for acts such as Crash Test Dummies and Ariel Posen, and shared stages with Bahamas and Tim Baker. Earlier, she fronted Jones + The Jackpines, whose 2021 EP Spectrum featured her original songs.

Christian Miles 

Christian Miles is a Waterloo–based singer-songwriter known for his musicianship, expressive vocals and dynamic guitar playing. Blending thoughtful songwriting with memorable melodies and a laid-back, atmospheric sound, his music creates a vibe that draws listeners in and keeps them there. Whether performing solo or with a full band, Christian brings energy, authenticity and a strong musical presence to the stage. Through his recordings and live performances, he continues to build a growing audience across Ontario while setting his sights on reaching listeners around the world.

Cheap Shirt 

At the heart of Cheap Shirt (just under the corduroy surface) lies the dynamic songwriting duo of Mack Jordan and Steve Lavery. On stage, their songs burst into life with much love by their band of talented and wonderful friends. Their performances are a showcase of the love and trust that the band members all have for one another, improvising with their hearts and taking the audience on a trip to a wonderful place called Rock and Roll Land - somewhere between waking and dreaming. Cheap Shirt is currently spending time in the studio completing their upcoming third full length album, Wealth & Hellness.

DJ Canada Day Party – Twenty Five Roses

Twenty Five Roses will keep the music going with a mix of popular hits and crowd favourites as we gear up for an evening of Canada Day fun and great music. 

These Eyes: The Music of The Guess Who

These Eyes perform the music of The Guess Who, one of Canada’s most recognized classic rock bands. Enjoy well-known songs like American Woman, No Sugar Tonight, and These Eyes live at their toe-tapping show that music-lovers of all ages will enjoy.

Steve Strongman

Steve Strongman is a Juno Award winning Canadian blues guitarist and multiple Maple Blues Award winner known for his strong live performances and songwriting. He recently co-wrote, co-produced and performed on the Fabulous Thunderbirds’ 50th anniversary album Struck Down, which earned two Grammy nominations and debuted at #1 in both Canada and the U.S. The project features well-known artists including Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’ and Mick Fleetwood. With his mix of blues, rock and soulful vocals, Strongman delivers an engaging live show that connects easily with audiences.

Glass Tiger 

Grammy‑nominated and five‑time Juno Award winners, Glass Tiger has released six studio albums and sold over five million records worldwide. Their 1986 debut, The Thin Red Line, achieved quadruple platinum status in Canada and went gold in the United States. The album is now celebrating its 40th anniversary as a landmark in Canadian music. The band earned major success with “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” and “Someday,” both of which reached the Billboard Top 10. Over the years, they have toured alongside iconic artists including Journey, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, The Moody Blues and Cheap Trick. Recently inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame (2023) and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2025), Glass Tiger continues to captivate audiences with dynamic live performances.

Press play and celebrate

Parking and transit

However you get downtown, there are options available:

• transit
• vehicle and bike parking
• plan your route
• bus parking and drop-off

Transit

Hop off the ION at either the Kitchener City Hall or Victoria Park station for a quick walk. Central Station is a short walk away, as well.

GRT routes 7, 8, 20 and iXpress 204 stop within walking distance of City Hall and Carl Zehr Square.

Vehicle and bike parking

Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage, as well as other City of Kitchener parking garages or lots around Downtown Kitchener. Visit our parking locations page to find somewhere to park.

If you're visiting after 5 p.m. on Thursday or Friday, park for free at a city-owned surface lot. On Saturday and Sunday, park for free in the City Hall parking garage. Visit our hourly parking page to find parking costs outside of those times.

Secure bike parking is available in the City Hall parking garage.

You can pay for parking in surface lots through the Passport Parking app. Download the app, available both on iOS & Android. You can also pay for parking at the kiosks in parking garages and surface lots.

Plan your route

Check road closures on your route before coming downtown.

Bus parking and drop-off

Bus drop-off will be in front of the Duke Street entrance to City Hall, between College and Young Streets.

Busses can park in the Bramm Street Yards parking lot (55 Bramm Street). Please send us an email to let us know when you plan to arrive.