Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival
27 Aug - 30 Aug 2026 Starts in 119 day(s)
Event Description
Thursday, August 27, 2026 - 7 pm to 11 pm
Friday, August 28, 2026 - 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday, August 29, 2026 - 11 am to 11 pm
Sunday, August 30, 2026 - 11 am to 5 pm
**** Festivals and Events Ontario - Top 100 Event for 2026 *********
The Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival is a long-standing, 4-day international street performers carnival in Uptown Waterloo, drawing over 50,000 attendees annually and heading into its 38th year in 2026. Here, world-class buskers—including jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, comedians, and fire acts, — gather crowds, perform incredible acts, and then “pass the hat.” Many of our buskers have trained at prestigious circus schools or Cirque du Soleil, with performers from Canada, the U.S., Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Estonia, and England to name a few.
With over 50 scheduled performances across the weekend, plus workshops, two spectacular fireshows, special events, large variety of food and service vendors, midway rides, and Artist Alley, the carnival offers something for everyone. Uniquely, the festival is accessible to all—attendees watch the show and decide what to pay based on what they can give, making it possible for everyone to enjoy high-quality entertainment regardless of financial means. Entirely volunteer-driven, the event brings the community together in an inclusive atmosphere, creating a true celebration of summer’s end for attendees of all ages.