Kitchener-Waterloo is on the roadmap

Find clubs and groups
in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Browse 18 clubs that meet regularly in Kitchener-Waterloo. Find running, books, hiking, arts and more, with direct links to each group.

18
Clubs
53
Events

Listings refresh weekly. We will email you when the app opens in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Community Directory

Groups in Kitchener-Waterloo

Independent clubs and groups in Kitchener-Waterloo, with when and where they meet when the group publishes it. Listings that say when and where to show up come first.

Running clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing Kitchener

BackRoads KW Run Club

Running store and taproom that hosts a free drop-in Thursday social run at 6 pm from its Wellington St. S. location, plus Tuesday workouts and Saturday long runs. All runs start and finish at the taproom, no sign-up needed.

When and where
Saturday long run
Every Saturday
BackRoads Kitchener taproom, Station Park, 5 Wellington St. South, Kitchener, ON N2G 0E3
Thursday social run
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM
BackRoads Kitchener taproom, Station Park, 5 Wellington St. South, Kitchener, ON N2G 0E3
Next: Thursday, October 29, 6:00 p.m.
1 more regular time on backroadsrun.com
Cost
Free; drop in, no sign-up
First visit
Just show up at the BackRoads taproom at Station Park (5 Wellington St. S.) for the 6 pm Thursday start; no sign-up needed. There is a 5 km route with add-on options and all paces are welcome. Afterwards people hang out in the taproom over craft beer, kombucha or coffee.
Source: backroadsrun.com, checked
Directory listing Beechwood

Beechwood Runners

Neighbourhood running group that meets every Monday at 5:30 pm year round at Clair Lake in Beechwood for a roughly 5 km run at your own pace, followed by tea and conversation. Beginners and families are welcome.

When and where
Monday social run
Every Monday at 5:30 PM
Clair Lake, Beechwood (enter from Shakespeare or Amos/Marlowe)
Next: Monday, October 26, 5:30 p.m.
Cost
Free
First visit
Meet at Clair Lake in Beechwood (enter from Shakespeare or Amos/Marlowe) for a social run of about 5 km at your own pace, with shorter and longer routes on offer. Beginners, families and stroller runners are welcome; the organizers are not coaches. Everyone gathers for tea afterwards. Questions: [email protected].
Source: beechwoodrunners.com, checked
Directory listing Uptown Waterloo

Runners' Choice Waterloo Run Groups

Running store on Erb St. E. that hosts free year-round group runs on Mondays and Thursdays, with a 4 to 5 km beginners group at 6:30 pm and a 6 to 7 km Fun Run Group at 6:00 pm that regroups so no one is left behind.

When and where
Beginners Group run/walk (Monday and Thursday)
Every Monday and Thursday at 6:30 PM
Runners' Choice Waterloo store, 55 Erb Street East, Spurline Crossing, Waterloo, ON N2J 4K8
Fun Run Group (Monday and Thursday)
Every Monday and Thursday at 6:00 PM
Runners' Choice Waterloo store, 55 Erb Street East, Spurline Crossing, Waterloo, ON N2J 4K8
Cost
Free; sign a digital waiver before your first run
First visit
Meet at the Runners' Choice store on Erb St. E. and sign the group's digital waiver before you run. New or returning runners can join the Beginners Group (4 to 5 km at 6:00 to 7:00 min/km, leaves 6:30 pm); the Fun Run Group leaves at 6:00 pm for 6 to 7 km. Both regroup so no one is left behind, run in any weather, and friendly dogs are welcome.
Source: runnerschoicewaterloo.com, checked
Directory listing Waterloo

Women Run Waterloo

Women-centred run collective that holds a social, beginner-friendly 4 to 5 km run at a conversational pace every other Wednesday at 6:00 pm from Runners' Choice Waterloo, plus other social and trail runs.

When and where
Every-other-Wednesday social run
Every other Wednesday at 6:00 PM
Runners' Choice Waterloo store, 55 Erb Street East, Spurline Crossing, Waterloo, ON N2J 4K8
Next: Wednesday, October 28, 6:00 p.m.
First visit
A women-only social run of 4 to 5 km at a chatty 'yap pace', billed as beginner-friendly. Meet at Runners' Choice Waterloo on Erb St. E. for the 6:00 pm start every second Wednesday; the store's events page shows the next date. The collective also hosts other social runs, posted on its own calendar.
Source: runnerschoicewaterloo.com, checked

Book clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing Waterloo

The Margins Club

Book community that hosts free Quiet Reading Nights at Midnight Run Cafe, with an hour of silent reading with your own book followed by time to chat, plus an article discussion club. Registration is required.

When and where
Quiet Reading Night
On set weeknights posted on the club calendar, 6 to 8 pm; next: Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026
Midnight Run Cafe, 84 King Street North, #d, Waterloo, ON N2J 2X4
The Article Club
On set dates posted on the club calendar, 6 to 8 pm; next: Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 (Meeting VII)
Midnight Run Cafe, 84 King Street North, #d, Waterloo, ON N2J 2X4
Cost
Free; get a free Eventbrite ticket first
First visit
Get a free Eventbrite ticket first, then bring any book to Midnight Run Cafe on King St. N. Doors open at 5:45; from 6:00 to 6:30 people order food or drinks and share what they are reading, 6:30 to 7:30 is silent reading, and the last half hour is optional socializing. You don't have to talk if you would rather just read.
Source: themarginsclub.ca, checked
Directory listing Waterloo

Waterloo Public Library 20s & 30s Book Club

Monthly library book club for adults in their 20s and 30s that meets on Monday evenings at 7 pm at the John M. Harper Branch, with snacks provided. You can come for one night or keep coming back; register for each date.

When and where
Monthly Monday book club
Monthly on a Monday, 7 to 8 pm; fall 2026 dates: Sept 14, Oct 19 and Nov 16
John M. Harper Branch, Waterloo Public Library, 500 Fischer-Hallman Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 0B1
Cost
Free; register for each date
First visit
For adults in their 20s and 30s. Register on the library calendar for each date; the October 19 meeting reads The Only One Left by Riley Sager. Expect a relaxed, no-pressure chat with snacks and drinks provided. You can come for one night or keep coming back.
Source: calendar.wpl.ca, checked
Directory listing

KW Hungry Minds

Discussion group whose Books & Bites series pairs a Sunday lunch at a local restaurant with a book discussion, alongside multi-session discussions of nonfiction books. Members can ask the host for an ebook or audiobook copy.

When and where
Books & Bites (Sunday lunch book discussion)
Monthly Sunday lunch, noon to 2:30 pm; fall 2026 dates: Sept 20, Oct 18 and Nov 15
A different local restaurant each time (Oct 18: Abe Erb at The Tannery), The Tannery, 151 Charles St W, Kitchener
First visit
RSVP on Meetup (the October lunch has 20 spots), read the month's book, and meet the group at that month's restaurant: Abe Erb at The Tannery on Oct 18 for The Husbands by Holly Gramazio, then Pho Vietnam K&W on Nov 15 for Slaughterhouse-Five. Message the host on Meetup if you would like an ebook or audiobook copy.
Source: meetup.com, checked
Directory listing Kitchener

Kitchener Public Library Coffee and Crime Book Club

Library book club that discusses a crime novel at Kitchener's Central Library, with one session on a Monday morning and another on a Wednesday evening. New members are welcome; register through the library.

When and where
Monday morning discussion
One Monday morning a month, 11 am to noon; recent dates: Sept 14 and Nov 2, 2026
Central Library, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener ON N2H 2H1
Wednesday evening discussion
One Wednesday evening a month, 7 to 8 pm; recent dates: Sept 23 and Oct 21, 2026
Central Library, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener ON N2H 2H1
First visit
Read the month's mystery first (October and November: She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena), then join the discussion; new members are always welcome. Register through the library's events calendar. The library can set a copy aside for you while quantities last; contact details are on each event listing.
Source: kpl.org, checked

Outdoor & hiking clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing Waterloo

Waterloo Region Nature

Nature club that holds free monthly talks on the 4th Monday at 7:30 pm, September to May, at Knox Presbyterian Church Hall on Erb St. W., and runs nature outings that non-members are welcome to join.

When and where
Monthly meeting and guest talk (4th Monday)
Fourth Monday of the month at 7:30 PM, September to May
Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 1T1
Next: Monday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.
Cost
Free
First visit
Anyone interested in nature can come; guests and new members are welcome. Doors open at 7:00 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, which is fully accessible, with free parking nearby (not the lot under the library). Meetings open with announcements and shared sightings, then a guest speaker. October's meeting (Oct 26, 7 pm) is a volunteer appreciation potluck.
Source: waterlooregionnature.ca, checked
Directory listing

Grand Valley Trails Association

Trail association that maintains the Grand Valley Trail and leads guided hikes several times a month, including outings in Kitchener and Waterloo and a Monday evening Weeknight Wanders series. All are welcome.

When and where
Guided hikes in Kitchener
Guided hikes on varying days; Kitchener hikes in October 2026: Sun Oct 18 at 9 am (Woolner - Natchez Woods Loop, 10 km) and Thu Oct 22 at 10 am (Trails on Thursdays, about 5 km)
Varies by hike
Weeknight Wanders (Monday evening hike)
Some Monday evenings at 6:45 pm; October 2026 dates: Oct 5 and Oct 26
Changes monthly; October 2026: Hydrocut Trails, Petersburg Regional Forest (Snyder's parking lot), 1974 Snyder’s Road East
Cost
Membership optional ($30 a year per household)
First visit
Everyone is welcome and membership is optional, but register for each hike on its event page since spaces are limited. Arrive 10 minutes early: hikes start sharp and do not wait for latecomers. Wear hiking shoes and layers, bring a headlamp or flashlight for autumn evening hikes, and leave dogs at home. Level 1 hikes are recommended for newcomers.
Source: gvta.on.ca, checked
Directory listing

OARS - Outdoor Adventure and Recreation Seekers

Outdoor group for adults of all ages that organizes hikes, urban walks, cycling, kayaking and snowshoe outings, including regular 10 am hikes on the Waterloo Moraine on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

When and where
10 am Waterloo Moraine hike (Monday and Wednesday)
Every Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 AM, until November 25, 2026
Waterloo Moraine (meeting point shown to group members only)
Cost
$5 a year membership; approval needed to join
First visit
Join the private OARS group on Meetup first: answer the profile questions and use your first name and a photo showing your face to be approved. Only members can see meeting points and event details. The group is for adults of all ages, and each event lists any fees, gear and fitness level needed.
Source: meetup.com, checked
Directory listing

The Out Goers

Social outdoors group that organizes hikes, paddling and day trips, including weekday evening trail outings at 5:30 pm on the Walter Bean Trail and the Spur Line Trail. All ages are welcome.

When and where
Monday evening short hike, Walter Bean Trail
Every Monday at 5:30 PM
Walter Bean Trail (start point shown to group members only)
Thursday evening walk, Spur Line Trail to Waterloo Park
Every Thursday at 5:30 PM
Spur Line Trail to Waterloo Park (start point shown to group members only)
Cost
No membership fee; $5 donation optional
First visit
Request to join The Out Goers on Meetup (it is private and approval-based, with a profile photo and questions), then RSVP. Spots are capped (25 for the Monday hike, 14 for the Thursday walk), so tell the organizer if you can't make it. RSVPing yes means accepting the group's liability waiver. All ages are welcome.
Source: meetup.com, checked

Food & dining in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing

Waterloo Region Rhythm Dinner Club

Dinner club for newcomers and locals who want to meet people: you answer a short quiz, get matched with five other attendees and meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Spots are limited and sign-up is required.

When and where
Dinner Club (matched small-group dinner)
Roughly monthly evening dinners; next: Friday, Oct 16, 2026 at 6:45 pm in Cambridge (Galt)
Surprise restaurant revealed the morning of (Oct 16: Cambridge, Galt)
Cost
$15.99 booking fee per dinner; you pay for your own meal
First visit
Book a seat on the Dinner Club page: answer a few quick questions (food preferences, budget, what you hope for), pay the booking fee, and you are matched with 5 to 7 people. The restaurant is revealed the morning of, and after dinner all tables meet at a surprise spot. For anyone 18+; cancel at least 72 hours ahead for a refund.
Source: waterlooregion.gatherlocals.com, checked

Wellness & fitness in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing Uptown Waterloo

Kitchener Waterloo Mantra Meditation & Kirtan

Free mantra meditation and kirtan chanting sessions held every other Tuesday at 7 pm at Trillium Lutheran Church on Willow St., followed by tea. No previous experience is needed and beginners are welcome.

When and where
Every-other-Tuesday kirtan and mantra meditation
Every other Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Trillium Lutheran Church, Chapel entrance at the side, 22 Willow St, Waterloo, ON N2J 1V5
Next: Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m.
Cost
Free
First visit
Free and open to all, no experience needed. Use the side doors between the two parking lots at Trillium Lutheran Church (plenty of parking at the back; signs are posted). The evening runs 7:00 to 8:30 pm with breathing, beads and kirtan chanting, then tea and vegan treats until 9:00.
Source: meetup.com, checked

Social groups in Kitchener-Waterloo

Directory listing Waterloo

Majestic Tiles Mahjong Club

Waterloo Public Library club where new and experienced players learn and play Mahjong, starting each session with a quick rules overview before relaxed games. It meets at the Main Library and John M. Harper Branch.

When and where
John M. Harper Branch games (varying days)
Varying days: Tue Oct 27, 6 to 8 pm; Fri Nov 6, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; Mon Nov 23, 10:30 am to noon; Tue Nov 24, 6 to 8 pm
John M. Harper Branch, Waterloo Public Library, 500 Fischer-Hallman Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 0B1
Main Library Wednesday morning games
Some Wednesday mornings, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; fall 2026 dates left: Oct 21, Nov 4 and Nov 18
Main Library, Waterloo Public Library, 35 Albert Street, Waterloo, ON N2L 5E2
Cost
Free; register for each session
First visit
Open to adults and older adults, beginners included. Each session starts with a quick overview of the rules, tile meanings and gameplay, then relaxed games, and all materials are provided. Register separately for each date and branch on the library calendar.
Source: calendar.wpl.ca, checked
Directory listing Waterloo

Waterloo Public Library 20s & 30s Social Club

Library social night for people in their 20s and 30s, held on Tuesday evenings at 6 pm at the John M. Harper Branch, with games and laid-back activities to help you meet new people. Register for each session.

When and where
Tuesday social night
Three fall Tuesdays, 6 to 8 pm: Sept 15, Oct 6 and Nov 3, 2026
John M. Harper Branch, Waterloo Public Library, 500 Fischer-Hallman Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 0B1
Cost
Free; register for each session
First visit
For adults in their 20s and 30s. Register on the library calendar for each session; only the November 3 session is left this fall. Expect games and laid-back activities to break the ice in a low-pressure setting, with light refreshments.
Source: calendar.wpl.ca, checked
Directory listing

KW Coffee and Stuff

Social group of local residents who meet to expand their circle of friends, with Sunday morning coffees, breakfasts, potlucks and an English and Spanish language exchange on Saturday mornings.

When and where
English Spanish Language Exchange
Saturday mornings about every two to three weeks, 11 am to 12:30 pm; recent dates: Sept 5, Sept 26 and Oct 10, 2026
Sunday Morning Coffee
Some Sunday mornings at 11 am; recent dates: Sept 20 and Oct 18, 2026
A mall (exact spot shown to group members)
First visit
Join KW Coffee and Stuff on Meetup first (a profile photo is required, and event details are for members). The organizer suggests Sunday Morning Coffee as the easiest first event: very casual, at the mall, and a way to meet the regulars. Members are local residents looking to widen their social circle.
Source: meetup.com, checked
Directory listing Kitchener

Kitchener Coffee & Conversation

Weekly discussion group that meets Thursdays at 11 am in a community hall at 414 Fischer-Hallman Rd. for coffee and casual conversation on a set topic, favouring dialogue over debate. No particular beliefs are required.

When and where
Thursday morning conversation
Every Thursday at 11:00 AM
Community Hall (a church hall; not a religious gathering), 414 Fisher-Hallman Rd, Kitchener, ON N2M 4Y1
Next: Thursday, October 29, 11:00 a.m.
Cost
No fee listed; donations to the charity welcome
First visit
Come to the community hall at 414 Fischer-Hallman Rd. on Thursday at 11 am; first-timers tend to RSVP on Meetup, regulars often don't. Each week has a theme with a few questions posted ahead. The tone is casual and inclusive: dialogue over debate, no particular beliefs required, LGBTQ+ affirming. It meets in a church hall but is not a religious gathering.
Source: meetup.com, checked

Run one of these groups? Email [email protected] to fix a detail, claim the listing, or move it onto Culdesac.

Coming up

Events in Kitchener-Waterloo

The next few from local organizers' public calendars. Each links to its time, place and the organizer's details.

Every event in Kitchener-Waterloo, day by day

Browse by type

What kind of group are you after?

Every category below is its own page, with the full list and what to expect before you show up.

Kitchener-Waterloo events 11 Run Clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo 4 Book Clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo 4 Hiking & Outdoor Clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo 4 Social Clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo 4
Questions

Finding a club in Kitchener-Waterloo

How do I find a club in Kitchener-Waterloo?

Browse this page by category. We track 18 clubs and groups in Kitchener-Waterloo, including 4 run clubs, 4 book clubs, 4 hiking and outdoor clubs and 4 social clubs. Each listing links to the group's own page for joining details.

What is the best way to meet people in Kitchener-Waterloo?

Pick something that repeats. This directory lists 4 run clubs in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Are these Kitchener-Waterloo clubs free to join?

Costs and joining rules vary. Check each group's own page for fees, registration and membership requirements before you go.

How often do these groups meet?

The club directory focuses on recurring groups. Check the organiser's current calendar for the next meeting, seasonal breaks and any cancellations.

Do I need the Culdesac app to join a club in Kitchener-Waterloo?

No. This directory is free to browse and every group links out to wherever it already organises. The app matters once a group runs its own chat and calendar on Culdesac, which puts you in the group chat the moment you say yes to an event.

From the journal

Why this is hard in Kitchener-Waterloo

The research on why this got harder, with the sources linked.

Run Clubs Are the New Nightclubs

Run club participation rose 59% in a year. Adults are joining for the group as much as the run.

The Death of the Third Place

The places that were neither home nor work are disappearing. What replaces them matters.

How Pickleball Became Canada's Fastest-Growing Sport

The fastest-growing sport on the continent is mostly an excuse to see the same people every week.

Read the whole journal →

Get the app

Say yes once.
Land in the room.

Each group gets a chat and a calendar. You join the event, you're already talking before you show up.

We will email you at launch.