Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest kicks off
Get out your dirndl, lederhosen or feathered hat and raise a stein to another Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest!
The Bavarian-themed party officially got underway Friday with a big celebration in front of Kitchener City Hall – temporarily renamed Willkommen Platz.
“It’s just so incredible. You can feel the spirit of gemütlichkeit here at Carl Zehr Square today,” said Allie Steffler, Oktoberfest ambassador. “I’m ready for this weekend and for next. It’s going to be a great festival."
The festival runs from September 27 to October 19. Events are planned across multiple city spaces and German clubs in the Region of Waterloo.
“It takes a lot of heart, that’s what it takes to run this festival. This festival is about bringing joy to the community, joy comes from the heart,” said Oktoberfest president Allan Cayenne.
The moment everyone had been waiting for – the tapping for the first keg – was done this year by local boxers Mandy Bujold and Syd Vanderpool.
Preparing for the keg tapping at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
“I thought it was really cool,” said London Vanderpool, Syd Vanderpool’s niece.
There are some first-time festivalgoers who weren't sure what to expect.
“Maybe like a few singers and that’s it, I didn’t know it was that big,” said Jimena Candia, a Conestoga College journalism student from Mexico.
Raising a stein at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest on Oct. 11, 2024.
But longtime Oktoberfest fans are equally impressed.
"“I love Oktoberfest. I enjoy doing things with the community. I’ve been coming for so many years, probably 25 to 30 years,” said Marian Steffler, who was out enjoying Oktoberfest, and also happens to be the mother of this year's Oktoberfest ambassador.
Some of the crowd at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest on Oct. 11, 2024.
Revellers could visit the vendor market, food trucks and biergarten, plus there were musical performances by The Golden Keys and the Polka King himself, Walter Ostanek.
Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda were also spotted in the crowd spreading a little gemütlichkeit.
Federal government invests in growth of K-W Oktoberfest
Several representatives for the federal government were in attendance at Willkommen Platz on Friday to announce a $200,000 investment for the futuregrowth of the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
The goal of the funding is to bring more out-of-towners to the festival.
Revellers hat at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest on Oct. 11, 2024.
The financial support, through the Tourism Growth Program, has allowed the festival to develop new group tourism packages, including a partnership with GO Transit that involves two-way weekend service from the GTA to Waterloo Region.
Dubbed the 'LederGOsen Line,' additional trainservice has been added along the Toronto-Kitchener corridor for the duration of the festival.
The first keg tapping of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest on Oct. 11, 2024.
The investment also supports the addition of new events, including a road hockey tournament, which will take place at next year's festival.
For more on Oktoberfest events, musical performances and more, check out the festival’s website.
Prost to another fun-filled Oktoberfest in Waterloo Region!
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
At least 2 dead, 60 hurt after car drives into German Christmas market in suspected attack
A car plowed into a busy outdoor Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring at least 60 others in what authorities suspect was an attack.
16-year-old German exchange student dies after North Vancouver crash
A 16-year-old high school student from Germany who was hit by a Jeep in North Vancouver, B.C., last weekend has died in hospital, authorities confirmed.
London
-
Exodus of new home construction to sprawling rural communities sparks new strategy to lower lot prices in London
City council is betting that a dramatic boost to the supply of residential land within the city limits will lower the price of lots in new subdivisions and slow the number of people moving to bedroom communities in Middlesex County and beyond.
-
Man dies after falling from building: LPS
London police say a man has died after falling from a building.
-
Fire destroys London Cricket Club memorabilia, equipment
A fire destroyed thousands of dollars worth of property and memorabilia at the London Cricket Club.
Windsor
-
Clear Medical Imaging strike ends with arbitration agreement
The eight-week long strike action at Clear Medical Imaging has ended. According to officials, Unifor and the employer have agreed to binding arbitration.
-
Leamington resident now $50,000 richer
Helio Ferrieria of Leamington is celebrating after winning an ONTARIO 49 second prize worth $50,000 in the Dec. 4, 2024, draw.
-
Over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized: WPS
Two suspects have been arrested and over $45,000 in cash and drugs seized following an investigation by the Windsor Police Service (WPS).
Barrie
-
Multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte
Southbound traffic along Highway 11 through Oro-Medonte was brought to a crawl Friday after a multi-vehicle collision.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
-
Driver charged after vehicle crashes into Barrie home
A driver was arrested Thursday night after a vehicle crashed into a home in Barrie.
Northern Ontario
-
Problems at Extendicare Countryside in Sudbury must be fixed before taking in new residents
Extendicare Countryside in Greater Sudbury was ordered Dec. 16 by the province not to take in new residents.
-
Northern Ont. police investigate child luring attempt
Police are looking for an older man who tried to lure a child to get into his vehicle Friday in Sturgeon Falls, Ont.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Sault YMCA bounces back from the brink
Earlier this year the Sault's YMCA nearly closed its doors, but now it's thriving.
-
Most properties in massive northern Ont. real estate insolvency sold
The 323 most profitable of 407 properties in northern Ontario owned by insolvent real estate companies have been sold.
-
Workforce survey highlights challenges faced by community, social services
The results of a survey about the challenges faced by community and social services conducted by Workforce Planning for Sudbury & Manitoulin are in.
Ottawa
-
Restaurants still waiting to see if GST/HST holiday impacts business
Reviews are beginning to come in from customers and restaurants a few days into the federal government's GST/HST holiday.
-
Man allegedly filming females in public washroom in business on Elgin Street, police looking for more victims
The Ottawa Police Service says a man has been arrested following a report alleging he was filming women inside a public washroom in a business on Elgin Street last weekend.
-
CTV and Move 100 Toy Mountain campaign raises $201,000
It will be a merry Christmas for 23,000 children in Ottawa this year, thanks to the community's generosity.
Toronto
-
'It's about protecting Canadian content': Leading Canadian publishing house seeks solutions to expected rise in distribution costs
One of Canada’s leading publishing houses is worried that it may soon not be able to keep up with the rising costs of storing the hundreds of book titles it distributes, potentially impacting the availability of educational materials and trade books from coast to coast.
-
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
-
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
Montreal
-
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
-
Manhunt underway after woman, 23, allegedly kidnapped, found alive in river
A woman in her 20s who was possibly abducted by her ex is in hospital after the car she was in plunged into the Richelieu River.
-
After refusing, new official languages minister Bendayan acknowledges decline of French in Quebec
The newly appointed Minister for Official Languages, Rachel Bendayan, has backtracked after refusing to acknowledge the decline of French in Quebec despite the fact that all linguistic indicators show this to be the case.
Atlantic
-
Maritime weather: Warnings expanded as nor'easter approaches
Snowfall warnings are now in effect for mainland Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick.
-
New highway between Lower Sackville, Dartmouth to open Friday
A new highway that runs between Lower Sackville, N.S., and Dartmouth, N.S., is scheduled to open on Friday.
-
Christmas past: 1940s N.B. tree farming ways preserved in vintage video
A glimpse of the manual labour involved in New Brunswick’s bustling balsam fir industry captured by Nova Scotia filmmaker Margaret Perry, and uploaded online, offers a trip back in time and feast for the eyes.
Winnipeg
-
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
-
Man suffers broken leg after being arrested by Winnipeg police; IIU investigating
The Winnipeg Police Service said the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba is investigating after a man suffered broken bones in his leg after being arrested.
-
'Good deals for Christmas': Turkey prices down from last year
With just days to go before Christmas, one of the big items for the big feast could be cheaper this year. Numbers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada show that during November this year, turkey prices were down from the same time last year.
Calgary
-
Calgary non-profit Yes Youth Centre hands out hundreds of free turkeys in Forest Lawn
Turkeys were flying out the door at the “Yes Youth Centre” in Forest Lawn Friday morning.
-
Wild boar hybrid identified near Fort Macleod, Alta.
Acting on information, an investigation by the Municipal District of Willow Creek's Agricultural Services Board (ASB) found a small population of wild boar hybrids being farmed near Fort Macleod.
-
3 people sent to hospital after serious crash on Deerfoot Trail
A serious crash on Deerfoot Trail sent three people to hospital, including one in potentially life-threatening condition, on Friday afternoon.
Edmonton
-
Second inmate dies at Edmonton Remand Centre in as many days
An inmate died at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Thursday night.
-
Child pornography charges laid against 52-year-old woman
A Sherwood Park woman has been charged with two child pornography offences.
-
'Proof will be in the pudding': Alberta changing how social agencies are funded
Alberta is looking to cut out the middleman when it comes to how social agencies are funded. On Friday, the province announced incoming changes to how services for Alberta's homeless population are funded.
Regina
-
'A sense of holiday spirit': Local shelter hosts Regina’s most vulnerable at annual Christmas dinner
For nearly 35 years, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has been serving an annual Christmas dinner to Regina’s most vulnerable.
-
Drivers encouraged to check Highway Hotline before holiday travel
After receiving another big dump of snow over the past couple of days, Saskatchewan drivers have had to contend with some treacherous driving conditions.
-
Regina man creates snow sculpture to spread joy and inspire donations
A Regina man created a snow sculpture of a Santa head to spread joy and inspire donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. lawyers defend judge for staying fatal THC-impaired driving charge
The Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association is defending a provincial court judge, who’s facing backlash for staying a charge in a high-profile case involving the death of a child.
-
Saskatoon police release details about latest homicide
Saskatoon police are releasing new details about the city’s latest homicide, although no charges have yet been laid.
-
Search continues for man wanted in connection with all-day manhunt in northern Sask.
The Saskatchewan RCMP are still searching for 28-year-old Dallas Fulton, wanted in connection with a dangerous person alert sent out across the province in October.
Vancouver
-
Internet stranger's kind gesture restores Canucks fan's faith in humanity
A Nanaimo, B.C., couple is in awe at the kindness of an internet stranger who helped them track down a coveted Christmas gift.
-
16-year-old German exchange student dies after North Vancouver crash
A 16-year-old high school student from Germany who was hit by a Jeep in North Vancouver, B.C., last weekend has died in hospital, authorities confirmed.
-
As YVR fuel delivery workers strike, B.C. labour group declares cargo 'hot'
One week into a strike involving fuel delivery workers at the Vancouver airport, the B.C. Federation of Labour has issued a "hot" edict over their cargo.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. man 'trying to appear cool' with loaded handgun at nightclub sentenced
A 23-year-old British Columbia man who pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded handgun inside a crowded nightclub has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
-
Warrants issued for 'violent offenders' after Nanaimo jewelry store robbery
Authorities are asking for the public 's help finding two suspects wanted in connection with a Nanaimo, B.C., jewelry store robbery earlier this year.
-
B.C. teachers cultivate community through merry music videos
Although his classroom is filled with students now, Jeff Bordal will never forget how empty it once was.
