WelcomeFest opened the 2024 events season in Kitchener with a two-day celebration in the heart of downtown, brought to you in partnership with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, the City of Kitchener and the Downtown Kitchener BIA. Beginning with a live concert and 2024 events launch on Friday, May 24 and continuing with the Downtown Kitchener BIA’s Palette x Palate event on Saturday, May 25.
Canada Day - July 1
Cruising on King - July 12
Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show - July 19-21
Wayback Festival - July 26 & 27
Kitchener Blues Festival - August 8-11
Kidspark - August 18
Caribana Ignite - August 23 & 24
Endless Summer - September 7
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest - September 27-October 19
Willkommen Platz - October 11-13
September 27 - October 19, 2024
DaysDays
HrsHours
MinsMinutes
SecsSeconds
2024 WelcomeFest
Friday, May 24 & Saturday, May 25, 2024
Kitchener City Hall - 200 King Street West, Kitchener
Let the party begin! Experience the vibrant arts and culture in our
community and help us kick off a year of celebration at WelcomeFest.
WelcomeFest will open the Festival events season in Kitchener with a two-day celebration in the heart of downtown. Beginning with a live concert and 2024 events launch on Friday, May 24 and continuing with the Downtown Kitchener BIA’s Palette x Palate event on Saturday, May 25, this is a weekend of fun you won’t want to miss!
Bring the whole family, celebrate with friends, plan a date night, or treat yourself to a weekend of fun. With art, music, good food, and local retailers to explore, there is something for everyone to enjoy at WelcomeFest!
4:50pm – 5:35pm – U.N. Jefferson – Main Stage
5:35pm – 6pm – The Golden Keys – Carl Zehr Square Stage
6pm – 6:30pm – Announcement of 2024 Festival season & Keg Tapping with K-W Oktoberfest – Main Stage
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Saint O Caribbean Jazz Ensemble – Main Stage
7:30pm – 8pm – The Golden Keys – Carl Zehr Square Stage
8pm – 9pm – The 99s – Main Stage
9pm – 9:30pm – The Golden Keys – Carl Zehr Square Stage
9:30pm – 10:45pm – Alli Walker – Main Stage
*all times subject to change
12pm – 10pm –Experience the vibrancy of Downtown Kitchener and celebrate local arts, culture, and food with Palette x Palate, hosted by the Downtown Kitchener BIA. This brand new event kicks off the season with a fantastic celebration of summer, delicious eats and creativity, where every brushstroke, note and flavour adds to the palette of our community's identity. Learn more about this exciting event here.
Kitchener City Hall - Main Stage
1pm – 3pm – The Golden Keys
3pm – 5pm – Family Entertainment provided by the DTK BIA
6pm - Wonka movie on the new big LED screen, in partnership with K-W Oktoberfest, Sherwood & Downtown Kitchener BIA
U.N. Jefferson - You can't get down if you don't know what's up.
The Keg Tapping Team functions all year round, bringing the Oktoberfest experience to local and out-of-town conferences. The committee provides an authentic atmosphere for the client by decorating rooms to replicate a Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Festhalle, meet and greet guests as they arrive while dressed in tracht, perform a keg tapping with beer samplings as well as engage the crowd to have an Oktoberfest style experience. The Keg Tapping Team also serves as the “Keepers of the Keg” and performs the keg tapping ceremonies at the Opening Ceremonies for the festival and at the individual Festhallen throughout the festival.
Saint O Caribbean Jazz Ensemble
Jermaine and Saint "O" have travelled the world over entertaining audiences.
The Golden Keys Party Band pack a punch of infectious energy into every show! This talented group of musicians delivers today's Oktoberfest experience to the next level by blending the highest quality of authentic Alpine music with today's hits and party anthems that will have everyone jamming the floor and screaming along. The Golden Keys Party Band high-powered stage show continues to wow crowds with their wide selection of party classics and they are a proven band that can engage and appeal to all crowds. Having won numerous awards in Canada, the US and Europe, this passionate group of musicians has been creating a party atmosphere that is authentic, engaging, exciting and memorable. From the moment they step onto the stage until the final chord has been played, this adrenaline-fueled band engages everyone to join the party and make it an experience not to be forgotten! Be prepared to party!
The 99s are a team of talented musicians unified by dynamic stage presence, shared love of timeless chart topping hits, and their ability to pack the dance floor. With a set list packed of pop, rock and R&B favourites from the 70s through the 00s, it’s as impossible to know what's coming next as it is to not to shout-sing along to every word.
Country singer-songwriter Alli Walker's musical journey from Prince Edward Island to Nashville is a tale of resilience and innovation. With a childhood shaped by a Police Chief father and accountant mother, she honed a tireless work ethic that fueled her success in both music and sports. Relocating to Toronto, she navigated the industry's challenges, from modeling to TV appearances, before releasing her debut album, "The Basement Sessions: What I've Learned So Far," in 2019. Amidst pandemic-induced setbacks, Walker embraced TikTok, engaging fans to shape her sophomore album, "Growing Up," which debuted at #6 on global iTunes Country charts. Now signed with RECORDS Nashville, her dynamic fusion of traditional country with pop/rock sensibilities sets her apart as an innovative force in country music's evolving landscape, poised for even greater heights on her upcoming album and global tour.
Join us on Friday, May 24 for music, food, and fun! Chef D will be serving up some delicious eats all night long on Carl Zehr Square in the WelcomeFest licensed bar area.
Parking: Downtown Kitchener has free parking on weekdays after 5pm and all day Saturday in municipal surface parking lots. CLICK HERE for a parking map.
Visit downtownkitchener.ca/parking for a full list of locations.
View the media release announcing WelcomeFest!
Copyright © 2024 WelcomeFest - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.