Kitchener, Ontario, may not be Canada’s best-known city, but come autumn, its rich German heritage creates the backdrop to transform it into one of the country’s most fun and festive fall destinations.
Before a name change in 1916, prompted by a world at war, the town’s original name was Berlin. Knowing that history, it may come as little surprise that Kitchener is home to one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the world. It’s a two-week party that features music, dancing, lederhosen, schnitzel, strudel, lots of beer, and more beer. And it joyously collides with Canadian Thanksgiving, including a huge Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade.
