Winterfest returns bringing the sweet charm of Candyland and more!

Popular festival runs November 15 – December 31, 2025

The City of Cambridge is excited to announce the lineup of its popular annual event Winterfest, including the addition of the Santa Claus Parade and the return of Candyland to Preston’s Central Park.

“Winterfest offers residents many opportunities to experience the magic of the season,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “I encourage everyone to gather together with friends and family and enjoy the Cambridge experience at the Santa Claus Parade, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, Candyland, or one of the other activities during November and December.”

Winterfest kicks off on November 15 with the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade presented by Kieswetter Mazda. This night time parade begins at 6 p.m. and travels along Hespeler Road between Dunbar Road and Langs Drive. Floats will be decorated with lights, bands will play festive music, and of course, Santa Claus himself will make an appearance. This is the first year the City is hosting the Santa Claus Parade, taking over from the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee who ran the parade from 1972 to 2024.

“On behalf of the City, I would like to extend our thanks for the exceptional work of the Cambridge Santa Claus Parade Committee who previously led this event. Your dedication to creating a merry and joyful experience for residents is deeply appreciated,” said Mayor Liggett. “I’d also like to thank Kieswetter Mazda for their generous support of this event. Major sponsors like Kieswetter Mazda and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada help us make Winterfest events bigger and better than ever for Cambridge residents.”

The CPKC Holiday Train will stop at the Malcolm St. Train Station on Friday, November 21. Entertainment featuring Matthew Campbell gets underway at 3 p.m. The City has partnered with the Cambridge Food Bank who will be onsite collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations.

On November 28, Music and Lights in the Village will light up downtown Hespeler from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gather to see holiday lights, performances by local choirs and bands, crafts, and a tree lighting ceremony at 7:15 p.m.  

Preston will hold a Tree Lighting event on Monday, December 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring live music and performances, plus a ceremony to light up the Christmas tree at 7 p.m.

This year Winterfest’s signature event Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night and the Cambridge Holiday Market will both take place on Friday, December 5. Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night will light up downtown Cambridge with its distinctive sound and unique installations. Join the walk through downtown Galt to see the performers and interactive light displays along the route. The festivities get underway at 7 p.m. Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night is held in over 26 cities around the world, and Cambridge is proud to host the largest walk. This year’s holiday market will have more than 100 vendors participating inside City Hall and the Cambridge Centre for the Arts from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The market will also run Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For the first time since 2019, Candyland returns to Central Park in Preston! This one-day event on Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. features a fun fair, live entertainment, games and a hot chocolate station.

Finally, the City of Cambridge is hosting a family friendly New Year’s Eve party featuring ice skating, live entertainment, games and more! The party runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Preston Memorial Arena.

Winterfest would not be possible without the generous support of our major sponsors: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., Kieswetter Mazda, BWXT, and Volvo Cars Waterloo.

For more information on any of the events, please visit cambridge.ca/Winterfest