East Coast Kitchen Party

Entertainment and activities

• Fresh seafood and your favourite East Coast flavours from Caudle's Catch available for purchase
• Beer garden
• Family-friendly games and activities
• Live folk music all night long on three stages 
• Learn to jig
• And more!

Stage schedule

Stage A - King Street at College Street

• 7 - 8:15 p.m. – Fiddlestix
• 8:40 - 10 p.m. – Shane Cook and the Woodchippers

Stage B - Carl Zehr Square

• 5 - 5:50 p.m. – Poverty's Arse
• 6 - 6:50 p.m. – Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramp

Stage C - Bobby O'Brien's

• 5 - 5:50 p.m. – Sandy and Friends
• 6 - 6:50 p.m. – Rick Bauer Duo

Toe-tapping East Coast performers

Fiddlestix

Fiddlestix brings high-energy fiddling and electrifying East Coast flair to the main stage. Get ready for a fast-paced, dance-ready set that will have toes tapping and our downtown Kitchener crowd moving.

Shane Cook and the Woodchippers

Shane Cook and the Woodchippers deliver world-class fiddling with explosive energy and modern edge. This powerhouse group will close out the night with a dynamic performance you won’t want to miss.

Poverty's Arse

Poverty’s Arse will bring a lively, foot-stomping mix of East Coast charm and classic singalong energy. Expect plenty of laughs, harmonies, and tunes that’ll have you joining in from the first note.

Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramps

Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramps deliver authentic maritime storytelling with rich vocals and driving rhythms. Their set blends tradition and heart, capturing the true spirit of the East Coast.

Sandy and Friends

Led by Sandy McDonald, Sandy and Friends bring genuine East Coast warmth and camaraderie to the stage with a mix of classic tunes and kitchen party favourites. It’s the kind of set that feels like home, full of stories, smiles, and songs everyone knows.

Rick Bauer Duo

The Rick Bauer Duo serves up a lively blend of East Coast classics and easygoing maritime vibes, perfect for a true kitchen party experience. With rich vocals, acoustic charm, and plenty of familiar favourites, they’ll have you singing along and tapping your toes in no time.

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.