Kitchener launches Christkindl Entertainment Series with 10 days of live entertainment celebrating 30 years of holiday magic

Kitchener, ON – As Christkindl Market celebrates its 30th anniversary this December with an expanded festival schedule, the community is invited to experience the new Christkindl Entertainment Series - 10 exciting days of live music, family experiences, holiday traditions and festive entertainment from December 3 to 13.  

What started as a volunteer-run holiday celebration has become one of the region's busiest, most cherished events, bringing more than 100,000 visitors annually from across the province. As the festival has grown, it has expanded from the smaller Christmas market first held in 1997 to a 10-day celebration of the season in 2026 with free activities, live entertainment and winter magic for all ages.  

This year, the new Christkindl Entertainment Series will pair nightly headline performances and special events with a full schedule of appearances by local musicians, choirs, cultural organizations, dance groups and community performers, showcasing the talent and traditions that make Waterloo Region unique. 

The anniversary lineup combines the community favourites visitors have come to know and love over three decades with new events introducing even more ways to celebrate the magic of the season. 

"For 30 years, Christkindl has brought people together through the traditions, experiences and local talent that make the holiday season special in Kitchener," said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "The new Christkindl Entertainment Series shines a spotlight on the musicians, performers and artists who help create the magic of Christkindl each year. With a full 10-day lineup of free entertainment, and now with the addition of new ticketed experiences, we're giving residents and visitors even more ways to celebrate the season and create holiday memories with family and friends while supporting our local arts community." 

The Christkindl Entertainment Series begins December 3 with the 30th Anniversary Opening Ceremonies at Carl Zehr Square and continues with 10 days of live music, family experiences and holiday entertainment. Alongside a full schedule of free programming, including The Golden Keys, Holiday Jukebox featuring Pulse X, the Christkindl Holiday Hoedown, Great Canadian Dueling Pianos and Jersey Nights, the series will introduce new ticketed experiences such as the Royal Pancake Breakfast, Jingle Bell Brunch, Epic Eagles: A Very Merry Take It Easy Christmas, Signal Hill's East Coast Christmas Kitchen Party and the Disco All the Way party. 

"The Christkindl Entertainment Series allows us to honour the traditions that have made Christkindl special for 30 years while creating new experiences for audiences of all ages," said Steve Roth, Manager of Special Events for the City of Kitchener. "Whether you're attending a free concert in the Musik Haus tent, taking part in a family brunch or coming together with family, friends and colleagues to see one of our fantastic headliners, there are more opportunities than ever to be part of the Christkindl experience." 

Highlights of the entertainment series include the headliners below, but residents and visitors can expect even more entertainment to fill the schedule as the festival nears: 

*Ticketed event. Tickets on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on November 3, 2026. 

For a full event schedule and ticket information, visit Kitchener.ca/ChristkindlEntertainment. 

For more information: 

Corporate Communications and Marketing 
City of Kitchener 
Media@kitchener.ca