Propinquity? How broad and how diverse are your connections to your neighbours? Similarity, difference and attraction. Remain curious and create kinship relationships…
Are you up for a Neighbourhood Exchange?

Neighbours visiting each other neighbourhoods has been a thrilling experience during the pandemic when we could not gather as usual – but it seems to continue to attract attention. If you wish to learn more, go to a part of the city that you never visited before or unlike where you live, maybe we can connect you with another neighbour we know who would love to give you a tour, tell you about gatherings and activities people love doing together, and in return, come to visit your neighbourhood! Contact heather@waterlooregion.org to become the next Neighbourhood Exchanger!
Videos 2021
For a taste of 2021, you can watch the Virtual Annual Celebration from November 2021, COVID Comeback Bingo teaser, Neighbourhood Exchange between Auditorium and A Better Tent City Neighbourhoods, and Living Room project in four neighbourhoods in 2021!
Did you miss the 2021 Celebration?

What a year! The Kitchener Festival of Neighbourhoods concluded it 28th season in 2021 by continuing its new tradition of an online zoom celebration. We continued to find interactive ways to engage and connect. We learned a lot in 2020 and built upon our experiences in the pandemic. The Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region acknowledged the adaptations and activities of the Central Frederick Neighbourhood to keep inclusion front and centre and setting a great example for all of us. During distancing, they hosted virtual craft events, delivered all the material to neighbours homes, and made and exibit of all the great work to continue staying in touch, sharing and supporting each other.
We also introduced everyone to The COVID Safe LIVING room which is yet another activity trunk that can be signed out of the F.O.N. pantry of possibilities. The LIVING Room was supported by Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. At our celebrations in November we held an on-line LIVING room where we discussed how COVID was changing Us? Kitchener’s Mayor, Berry Vrbanovic, offered a candid synthesis of the entire event. With these kinds of ongoing exchanges we can contribute to and increase the quality of life for everyone we share this awesome city with– together.
The neighbourhoods who attended the festival online celebration this year received a $50.00 gift certificate to go toward their activities and events The neighbourhoods attending included, Victoria Park, Central Frederick, Schneider Creek, Doon South, Mount Hope Breithaupt Park, Huron, King East, Vanier/Kingsdale, The Bus Station District, Duke and Water Street Downtown Neighbourhood, Auditorium, Lydia Street, A Better Tent City, Williamsburg, Belmont, Westmount, Country Hills, Laurelwood Downtown Kitchener, Cherry Park, Forest Hills, Alpine, North Six, Olde Berlin Town, the Kitchener Market Area. A total of 25 neighbourhoods!

We took the Neighbourhood Exchange to a new level this year! We set up our own version of a neighbourly speed dating session to encourage participants to become Real Life Exchangers! Exchangers from A Better Tent City and Auditorium made an awesome video that compared the experiences of their neighbourhoods and with each other. It really highlighted our true interconnectedness, despite stark differences in access to basic necessities such as running water, showers, laundry, sewer, etc. Which neighbourhood did you always wanted to visit? Let’s do it together in 2022.

We celebrated our COVID Comeback Bingo Winner from Central Frederick represented by Susan Fulop with a 100.00 gift certificate. As they say, “If you don’t play you can’t win!” We encourage everyone to use Comeback Bingo to kickstart your activities over the winter and into the spring as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the creativity of the Williamsburg Neighbourhood and its Association who shared a video synopsis of their activities which included on-line picture sharing. Totally inspiring!
Comfortably sitting in our living room in a community garden, we asked the neighbours to learn more about each other. They did have fun with our bingo cards. Watch the video! Do you want to try? Download at www.festivalofneighbourhoods.ca and walk around your neighbourhood to get to know more about your neighbours 🙂
28th Annual Celebration
How is COVID Changing Us?
Festival of Neighbourhoods is back! You are invited to our 28th Annual Celebration Sunday, November 21st at 1-3pm on Zoom! RSVP by November 19th to the Zoom event registration link here.
Lots of neighbourhood gatherings have become annual occurrences and the pandemic has prevented them from happening in their traditional way. We want to hear how your neighbourhood has adapted gatherings to be safe and inclusive the past year.
Join us in celebrating our diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Let’s learn from each other on how we are adapting in this ever changing world. The Festival continues to connect neighbours to share ideas for the future of our neighbourhoods.
In honor of the Festival’s 28th year, the first 28 neighbourhoods to RSVP for the online celebration will receive a $50 certificate to be used for future neighbourhood projects or gatherings. Stay tuned for future updates about this awesome event!
COVID has changed our registration form too!
If your neighbourhood has gathered together this year, whether in person or online, don’t forget to register it. If there were no gatherings, let us know about that change you experienced too!
Share with us by filling out a short COVID-times registration form.
Founded by Architect John MacDonald, the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region and the City of Kitchener, Festival of Neighbourhoods encourages citizens to plan simple gatherings in their neighbourhoods that are open to everyone and unite neighbours.
Video Tour – Kingsdale, Vanier and Wilson
A tour through Kitchener’s Kingsdale, Vanier and Wilson neighbourhood with thoughts from resident Jacquie Rovers.
Video Tour – King East
A tour through Kitchener’s King East neighbourhood with thoughts from resident Scott Albrecht.