Kate’s 5 fun things to do this weekend in Waterloo region and area: Nov. 24-26

As we near the end of November, the weather outside is not quite frightful, but it’s going to be cool and cloudy with the chance for flurries.

It’s the first weekend of Winter Wander-land in Stratford, with a carousel, firepits, s’mores and blacksmith demonstrations. The event also runs Dec. 2 and 3.

A special Holiday Magic concert is being held at Wesley United Church in Cambridge on Saturday and Sunday featuring Grand River Voices with Guelph-based band The Kramdens.

A Spark to Start is a series of short plays about climate change that’s being hosted by English and theatre students at the University of Guelph with shows Friday and Saturday evening.

At the Guelph Little Theatre, there’s a live in the lobby concert with local singer-songwriter Gayle Ackroyd Friday night.

As for parades this weekend, here’s where you can catch Santa:

Ayr-North Dumfries on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Elora on Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
Puslinch on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Read the full list of local parades.

If you need to drive this weekend, here are some local prices:

Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night

Friday 6 p.m.

Downtown Galt, Cambridge

Walk through the downtown core and interact with 30 light installations along a route while the music of Phil Kline is played.

The event is part of Winterfest in the city which runs through to the end of the year.

WATCH | The city has a recap video of the event from 2019:

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University of Waterloo Art Gallery open house

Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East Campus Hall, University of Waterloo, 263 Phillip St., Waterloo

The free event is a chance to see what students at the university are creating while also taking curator’s tours with Ivan Jurakic and Peter Flannery, with poetry readings by Roshan James.

There’s an exhibition by Sharl G. Smith called Shelter II, which is co-presentation with the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. There will also be a fine arts alumni panel discussion at 3 p.m.

Mindful Movement in the Woods

Saturday 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Huron Natural Area

This free, drop-in class will walk people through how to connect with nature and mediate while surrounded by trees and birds.

The description says, “similar to tai chi, this type of movement helps support health and harmony of body and mind.” The class runs in rain or snow, so dress according to the weather.

A mascot that looks like a man wearing a blue cowboy hat with a red band around it and a white star at the front — The Kitchener Rangers are heading down the highway to Guelph on Saturday hoping for yet another win in what has been a very hot start to the season. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Kitchener Rangers at Guelph Storm

Saturday 4 p.m.

Sleeman Centre, Guelph

Hockey fans, it’s time for the local rivalry to heat up as the Storm play host to the Rangers in Saturday afternoon action. This is always a fun game with fans from both sides in the stands.

There are Friday night home games, too. The Rangers are hosting the Owen Sound Attack while the Storm will host the North Bay Battalion at 7:30 p.m.

Holiday and winter markets

Once again, it’s a busy weekend for craft and maker markets. Plan your shopping accordingly.

Multiple days:

A Merry Little Christmas Market — Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — St. Agatha Community Centre. Admission is by donation of non-perishable food items or feminine hygiene products.
Gaslight District Christmas Market — Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. — in The Gaslight District of Cambridge. This is a weekly market that runs until Dec. 17.
A Very Merry Indigenous Art Market — Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — at Kitchener’s city hall.

Friday night: