July 1 Community Picnic

Join us for live performances, local artists, food trucks and an LED drone show at our annual July 1 community picnic.

→ Wednesday, July 1
→ 4 to 10 p.m.
→ Waterloo Park, Hilltop Picnic Area
→ Free and family-friendly

Explore this years festival with the July 1 2026 Google Map.

Getting here and parking

Best ways to get to Waterloo Park:

walk, bike or roll
take public transit – check Grand River Transit for routes and schedules
use nearby parking lots – check our parking map

There is NO parking available at the event, and the Westmount Road park entrance will be closed to public vehicles on July 1.

Get directions to Waterloo Park

Check the weather

Good news! The July 1 Community Picnic is back on and event activities have resumed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we paused the event due to the weather. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to continue celebrating with us in Waterloo Park.

For more updates, check this page or follow Create Waterloo on Instagram or Facebook.

What's happening

Musicians and singers perform under stage lights at an outdoor concert, with a crowd watching.

Main stage performances

Enjoy live music and performances from talented local artists throughout the afternoon.

4:00 p.m. - MC Master T
4:20 p.m. - Emily Gilbart
5:00 p.m. - Waterloo Warriors Band
5:15 p.m. - Zuffalo
6:40 p.m. - Waterloo Kung Fu Academy
7:00 p.m. - The Mixtape
7:50 p.m. - Circus Show by Kate Mior
8:20 p.m. - Errol Blackwood and Injah Band
9:45 p.m. - AJDIDIT
10:00 p.m. - Daniel Kieta

Person stands at food truck window that is decorated with the Canadian flag.

Food trucks

Treat yourself to a variety of tasty eats and refreshing drinks from local food trucks.

Featured vendors: BeaverTails, Berlin 95, Cafe du Monde Crêperie, Fo Cheezy, Hissing Goose Coffee Roasters, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Kono Pizza, Pablas Street Food of India, Philly and Wings, The Lord of the Tacos

A group of people play a giant game of chess in Waterloo Park on sunny day.

Giant games

Head to the lower soccer field with friends and family to play a variety of life-sized outdoor games by Spiniko— perfect for all ages.

Featured games: Buzz Wall, Chess, Connect 4, Cornhole, Dunk Tank, Hockey, Tic-Tac-Toe, Volley Pong, 8 Ball Pool

An artist sketches a person's portrait on a canvas at an outdoor event.

Artist pop-ups

Caricature drawings
Take home a fun keepsake with a free caricature drawing by local artist, Aoe Girard.

Stilt walker
Step into a world of wonder with Free Flow Visual Artistry, featuring towering stilt walks, giant bubbles and more.

An outdoor event with people walking down a road along rows of white tents by green trees.

4 to 9 p.m.

Art market

Discover unique pieces and handmade goods from local artists and support the creative talent from your community.

Featured artists: Arcasian, Azuki Arts, Barb Thomas Pottery, Corkum Cove Collection, Daisy and Pinecone Collection, KW Roving Bookstore, Olena Chorna Fine Arts, Papercrafti, Lover of the Light! Gifts From Around the World!, ROLA, SamArtisan, Thundersnow Clay & Cards, Unbroken Bunny, Vintage Acorn, Witch Hazel Art, W.studio, Yuli Jewelry Designs

Marching band in yellow shirts performing on a field during the July 1 Community Picnic event.

4 to 9 p.m.

Community fair

Connect with local non-profits from across Waterloo Region through interactive activities, and discover how you can get involved in your community.

Featured groups: ActOUT! KW Children's Drama Workshop, Bird Friendly Waterloo, Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area, Homer Watson House and Gallery, Inter Arts Matrix, Student Art Innovation Lab - University of Waterloo, Waterloo Busker Carnival

10 p.m.

Drone show

Look up and watch an LED drone light up the sky for a one-of-a-kind performance by North Star Drone Shows.

What to bring

Pack these items to enjoy the event:

reusable water bottles – water refill station available
picnic blankets or camping chairs
snacks and beverages – no alcohol
sunscreen and bug spray
cash – some vendors also accept debit and credit
flashlight – help guide your way at the end of the night
clothing and footwear to enjoy and cool off in the nearby splashpad

Remember:

stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade
NO fireworks
NO alcohol
NO personal drones – if public drones are operated during the drone show at 10 p.m., the show will be cancelled

Find a washroom

Waterloo Park nearby washrooms:

located inside the picnic shelter and lower gravel parking lot, near the baseball diamonds
wheelchair accessible
soap and water available

First aid and security

If you have an emergency at the event, find the first aid and security teams located at the tent booths beside the main stage.

How to get involved

Watch for opportunities to be a part of next year's event.

Applications will reopen in 2026 for:

art market vendors - closed March 26
community organizations - closed April 23
event helpers - applications are currently open on our volunteer page.

Sponsorship

The July 1 Community Picnic draws over 20,000 attendees. Contact festivals@waterloo.ca for our sponsorship guide.

Funded by the Government of Canada. Financé par le gouvernement du Canada.

Photography notice

Photos and videos may be taken during this event and used by the City of Waterloo in print and digital communications, including the city's website, social media channels and promotional materials.

By attending this public event, you consent to the City of Waterloo using your image and voice in print and digital communications. If you do not wish to appear in photos or videos, please speak with city staff at the event or contact festivals@waterloo.ca.