Downtown Showdown

The Kitchener Rangers experience is coming to Carl Zehr Square! Level up your March Break with this afternoon of winter fun in the heart of the city.

On this page:

1. About Downtown Showdown
2. Event schedule
3. Food and drinks
4. Parking and transit
5. Our partners
6. Photo gallery

About Downtown Showdown

The Kitchener Rangers are taking over Carl Zehr Square for our second annual Downtown Showdown! The event will happen rain, snow, sun or shine, so no matter the weather, get ready to join the Rangers for an afternoon of fun this March Break.

date: March 18, 2026

time: 12 to 5 p.m.

location: Carl Zehr Square, 200 King St. W.

Gather the whole family for an afternoon of outdoor fun to level up your March Break and enjoy:

• Kitchener Rangers 3-on-3 hockey tournament
• Meet the Rangers and get a free autograph
• Free hot chocolate and maple taffy
• Music from a live DJ and performance by The Trevor Show
• Family-friendly games and inflatables
• Meet Kitchener Fire and the Waterloo Regional Police Service
• See fire trucks, police cars and Kitchener's electric Zamboni up close
• Community skate (weather permitting)

Event Schedule

Downtown Showdown is a day packed with fun for the whole family. While The Rangers battle for the gold in a 3-on-3 hockey tournament, enjoy live music, free games and activities, food, autographs with the players and more all day long!

• 12:00 p.m. – The Trevor Show and live DJ
• 1:30 p.m. – Tournament opening and team introductions
• 1:40 p.m. – Game 1
• 2:00 p.m. – Game 2
• 2:20 p.m. – Game 3
• 2:30 p.m. – Tournament break and music by The Trevor Show
• 3:00 p.m. – Game 4
• 3:20 p.m. – Game 5
• 3:40 p.m. – Game 6
• 3:50 p.m. – Championship game
• 4:00 p.m. – Awards ceremony
• 4:10 p.m. – Music by The Trevor Show

Food and drinks

Kick off your day of fun with lunch or grab a snack between games from one of our local vendors:

• hot dog barbeque by donation to support Kitchener Minor Hockey
• BeaverTails food truck
• free hot chocolate
• free maple taffy

Parking and transit

However you get downtown, there are options available:

• transit
• vehicle and bike parking
• plan your route

Transit

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

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 lots around Downtown Kitchener. Visit our parking locations page to find somewhere to park.

Visit our bike parking page to find information about secure bike parking 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.

Plan your route

Check road closures on your route before coming downtown.

Our partners

We are grateful for the support of the Kitchener Rangers, who are partnering with the City of Kitchener to deliver this exciting event.