New Year's Eve Party

Thursday December 31, 2026, 2pm-6pm - doors will open at 1:30 pm

Location: Hespeler Arena, 640 Ellis Road

Come ring in the New Year with the City of Cambridge with an afternoon packed with free activities for all ages on and off the ice. Festivities will include ice skating, live entertainment, games and more. The arena concession stand will be open with snacks for purchase.
  • Upon arrival, each family will be offered 50 minutes of skating at a time of their choice. Ice times are limited for the safety of everyone. Skate times: 2 to 2:50 p.m., 3 to 3:50 p.m., 4 to 4:50 p.m. and 5 to 5:50 p.m.
  • To obtain your free skate wristband for the 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. ice times you can arrive at opening. To obtain your wristband for the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. ice times you must wait until 3:30 p.m. in an effort to ease congestion at the entrance and enable skaters to get on the ice in a timely fashion. 
  • Skating will be available on the DJ Rink with dimmed disco lighting. The Family Rink will play family friendly music with full lighting.
  • Skate aids are permitted on the Family rink only and are not available to rent. Please bring your own if necessary.
  • Helmets are recommended while skating.
  • We are pleased to offer free skate rentals. Quantities and sizes are limited and will be rented on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended to bring your own skates/helmets if you can to avoid disappointment.  Skate rentals must be returned as quickly as possible after use to ensure they can be available for the next skate time.
  • Skate rentals are available on the lower level of Rink 1 near dressing room 6. Please take note of signage and ask a volunteer for assistance if needed.
  • Skate sharpening is not available at the arena.
  • Strollers are not permitted on the ice rinks. 

Entertainment

This year's entertainers will be announced closer to the event date. Stay tuned for more details!

There is plenty of free parking available at the Hespeler Memorial Arena. 

Visit the Grand River Transit (GRT) website for the best route and schedule that is right for you.

A lift is available onsite to move between arena floors.  The lift must be operated by a staff member. If a staff member is temporarily away from the lift, please press the call button located beside the lift or find a staff or volunteer for assistance.   

If you require assistance while at the event, please find a staff or volunteer. All staff and volunteers will be identified. 

If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed at the event, please ask one of our on-site staff or volunteers about signing out one of our sensory bags.

For questions regarding accessibility for any event listed above, contact Inclusion and Accessibility Services.

Volunteers are an important part of Cambridge Winterfest's success. Multiple volunteer roles are available from Saturday, November 14th to December 31, 2026.

For more information or to apply visit our volunteer page.

For more information on Winterfest email the event staff or call (519)623-1340 ext 4332. 

Thank you to our sponsors!