The Sun Life UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival is an annual 3 day FREE music festival held in Waterloo Ontario, encouraging all genres of jazz. This upcoming year of 2026, we invite you to our 34th Season where we look forward to entertaining more than 20,000 enthusiastic festival goers!

Friday night brings the return to the Festival of the Toronto group Four80East,” said Derek Hines, Artistic Director who has been putting the musical program together for the Festival for over 5 years now.  “They are very popular in the US and Europe but for some reason they don’t play a lot in Canada.  Their music is described as ‘Groove Jazz for the Masses’; very danceable with a great beat, wonderful melodies and influences of R & B, funk and rock.  We are expecting a number of their fans to travel up from the US and from across Canada to catch their performance”, he added.

“On Saturday night, we will feature the Latin Big Band of Alexis Baró, a Cuban Trumpeter that now calls Toronto home,” Hines continued.  “His latest album, AFROKANDO was nominated for a JUNO award this year.  The music is high energy laced with Latin rhythms, perfect for a summer Saturday night under the stars!”

Sunday will mark the return of prodigal son, Adrean Farrugia and his Quintet.  “Adrean is a great friend who has recently moved back to Ontario and is Assistant Professor in the Wilfrid Laurier University music program,” said Hines.  “He was Matt Dusk’s pianist for many years and has put together a killer quintet to be our closing day Headliner.  Their performance will be awesome.”

The Program for this year carries on the tradition of supporting musicians from the local and national scenes.

“It’s a great honour to create the artistic program for this Festival,” said Hines.  “There is so much musical talent in this country and I love helping to showcase these incredible artists.”

Local artists featured at this year’s Festival include well-known regulars like Paul Stouffer & Tim Moher, funk fusion band from WLU The Stack, up and coming artist Bria Moore is from Drayton and has performed with her family in Mooreband and, making his Festival debut, local favourite Matt Weidinger with his organ-based group the Tonewheels.

We will also feature new local talent as musicians from our high schools try their hands at jazz in the Youth Jazz Ensemble led by the incredible Jason White.  This group of young musicians is always a treat!

The Waterford legion hosts a free. weekly Youth Darts Program every Sunday, starting at 10am! Any kids aged 8-18 years old are encouraged to drop in, learn to play, and enjoy some friendly competition! 

Help fight hunger at the Ancaster Fairgrounds!

The Stuff the Bin Foodrive will be happening at the Christmas in July Tropical Fest, in support of the Hamilton Community Service Foodbank. 

Suggested Donation Items
Canned vegetables, soup, and beans
Pasta and pasta sauce
Rice and cereal
Peanut butter
Canned meat or fish
Baby food and diapers
Healthy snack items
Hygiene products

Support the on-going refurbishing of the Nanticoke Community Hall at their Rhythm and Berries Social! 

Enjoy a delicious lunch of fancy sandwiches, freshly squeezed juice, followed by a tantalizing flight of desserts! There will also be music by Irish Line Band and door prizes!

Tickets are $20 each. To secure your spot contact Irene Helka at 905-517-2554 or 905-776-3554.

To celebrate its 140th anniversary the First Baptist Church of Dunnville is hosting a fun, free, family oriented afternoon event in Central Park!

- Free hotdogs, popcorn and cotton candy 

- Live Music at 2 pm.

- Lawn games and bouncy castle until 4 pm

- Free church tours offered every half hour

All are welcome to join in on the community fun!

Tis the season to spread some holiday cheer and celebrate Christmas, a little bit early, with the Waterford Legion!  

Christmas themed draws, a Christmas shop, Christmas dinner and refreshments! Enjoy the best parts of Christmas, minus the Snow, and support the legion and local veterans!  

Tickets are $20, get yours ahead of time in person at the Legion. 

Julias Old Fashioned Christmas Charity presents its weekly Catch the Ace Fundraiser! This progressive lottery donates all proceeds towards local causes! Draws are done at 8:00pm every Monday! Tickets are available for purchase online at Juliascatchtheacedunnville.ca and in person Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00am – 3:00pm and Mondays 4:30pm – 7:30pm at 426 Main St. E, Dunnville.  

Get tossing with cornhole at the Waterford Legion every Thursday night! Admission is free; all skill levels are welcome. Refreshments available for purchase.  

Hamiltons Bayfront Park is hosting a free to enter Festia Extravaganza celebrating, Filipino  culture and tradition!. 

The weekedn will be filled with food, music and family fun! Shop local craft vendors and food trucks selling authentic Filipino cuisine. Enjoy live music and dance performances happening all day and into the evening!

Its free to enter and free to park both Saturday and Sunday

Festival Hours

Saturday: 10am - 10pm 

Sunday: 10am - 7pm .   

Every Saturday stop by the Port Dover Silver Lake Lions Market to help support small local vendors and businesses!

Fresh produce, baked goods, craft beer, sweet treats and lots more! Stop by to enjoy some quality food and friendly community atmosphere! 

Stop in and shop new to you items at the Cayuga Food Bank's Monthly Garage Sale! Check out a variety of housewares, books, movies, cds, electronics, toys, jewlery and more! Enjoy great prices, for a great cause! 

All the Cheese Cake + Tacos you could dream of!!

Live Music!

Giveaways!

Food Trucks!

Artisan Market!

Photo Ops!

Margatia Bar!

July 25th 11am -5pm & July 26th 11am - 4pm

Powell Park in Port Dover

$5 admission fee cash only (12 & under are free)

The Caledonia Legion is cooking up a delcious Saturday Night! Stop by to enjoy a dinner of half chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, corn on the cob and and a bun. Tickets are $25 per person, prooceds support the legion and local veterans!

Tickets available in person at the Legion Hall!