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Best events in
Waterloo

For events and things to do in Waterloo, IN, the local scene is rooted in community gatherings and annual traditions. Much of the town's social calendar revolves around family-friendly festivals held at Francis Thomson Memorial Park. For a wider range of cultural activities, many residents look to the larger neighboring cities of Fort Wayne and Auburn.

The heart of Waterloo's community life is Francis Thomson Memorial Park, which hosts a series of seasonal celebrations throughout the year.
Car enthusiasts can find the Old 27 Car Tour making its annual summer stop in town.
Fall brings the Waterloo Main Street's Fall Fest BBQ Cook-Off, featuring food and craft vendors alongside the main competition.

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2026 DeKalb County Pink Out Survivors Celebration Luncheon primary image

2026 DeKalb County Pink Out Survivors Celebration Luncheon

Friday • 11:00 AM

311 Veritas Dr

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FCC October: Healing Heart Wounds Cross Culturally primary image

FCC October: Healing Heart Wounds Cross Culturally

Friday • 7:30 AM

Grace Point Church

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Make It Matter primary image

Make It Matter

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

208 S Jackson St

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Breakfast for a Stronger Tomorrow primary image

Breakfast for a Stronger Tomorrow

Tue, Oct 20 • 7:30 AM

Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation

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2026 Aim High Respiratory Care Conference primary image

2026 Aim High Respiratory Care Conference

Wed, Oct 28 • 7:00 AM

Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation

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A Night of Dinner and Music for the DeKalb County Historical Society primary image

A Night of Dinner and Music for the DeKalb County Historical Society

Sat, Nov 7 • 5:00 PM

Historic Marshall Building

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Heroes to Hero Fundraiser primary image

Heroes to Hero Fundraiser

Sun, Nov 8 • 3:30 PM

Auburn City Steakhouse

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Alliance Industries Festival of Wreaths primary image

Alliance Industries Festival of Wreaths

Fri, Nov 13 • 5:30 PM

Auburn City Steakhouse

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2026 DeKalb County Pink Out Survivors Celebration Luncheon primary image

2026 DeKalb County Pink Out Survivors Celebration Luncheon

Friday • 11:00 AM

311 Veritas Dr

Check ticket price on event

FCC October: Healing Heart Wounds Cross Culturally primary image

FCC October: Healing Heart Wounds Cross Culturally

Friday • 7:30 AM

Grace Point Church

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Make It Matter primary image

Make It Matter

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

208 S Jackson St

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Breakfast for a Stronger Tomorrow primary image

Breakfast for a Stronger Tomorrow

Tue, Oct 20 • 7:30 AM

Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation

Check ticket price on event

2026 Aim High Respiratory Care Conference primary image

2026 Aim High Respiratory Care Conference

Wed, Oct 28 • 7:00 AM

Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation

Check ticket price on event

A Night of Dinner and Music for the DeKalb County Historical Society primary image

A Night of Dinner and Music for the DeKalb County Historical Society

Sat, Nov 7 • 5:00 PM

Historic Marshall Building

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Heroes to Hero Fundraiser primary image

Heroes to Hero Fundraiser

Sun, Nov 8 • 3:30 PM

Auburn City Steakhouse

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Alliance Industries Festival of Wreaths primary image

Alliance Industries Festival of Wreaths

Fri, Nov 13 • 5:30 PM

Auburn City Steakhouse

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Nearby cities

Fort Wayne

24 miles away

Angola

15 miles away

Defiance

36 miles away

Goshen

44 miles away

Warsaw

45 miles away

Auburn

5 miles away

Three Rivers

48 miles away

Shipshewana

33 miles away

Syracuse

38 miles away

Coldwater

36 miles away

Antwerp

23 miles away

Huntington

45 miles away

Van Wert

45 miles away

Decatur

42 miles away

Huntertown

17 miles away

Lagrange

26 miles away

Winona Lake

43 miles away

Sturgis

33 miles away

Morenci

46 miles away

Stryker

32 miles away

Bryan

24 miles away

Holiday City

27 miles away

Butler

8 miles away

Hamilton

8 miles away

North Manchester

49 miles away

Ligonier

29 miles away

Elkhart

50 miles away

Middlebury

40 miles away

North Webster

36 miles away

New Paris

42 miles away

Fort Wayne

24 miles away

Angola

15 miles away

Defiance

36 miles away

Goshen

44 miles away

Warsaw

45 miles away

Auburn

5 miles away

Three Rivers

48 miles away

Shipshewana

33 miles away

Syracuse

38 miles away

Coldwater

36 miles away

Antwerp

23 miles away

Huntington

45 miles away

Van Wert

45 miles away

Decatur

42 miles away

Huntertown

17 miles away

Lagrange

26 miles away

Winona Lake

43 miles away

Sturgis

33 miles away

Morenci

46 miles away

Stryker

32 miles away

Bryan

24 miles away

Holiday City

27 miles away

Butler

8 miles away

Hamilton

8 miles away

North Manchester

49 miles away

Ligonier

29 miles away

Elkhart

50 miles away

Middlebury

40 miles away

North Webster

36 miles away

New Paris

42 miles away

Online Events

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons primary image

AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD primary image

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons primary image

AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD primary image

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Frequently asked questions about Waterloo

What are some family-friendly events in Waterloo, IN?

Waterloo hosts several annual events perfect for families at Francis Thomson Memorial Park. Look for the spring Easter Egg Hunt, the summer parade and festival, and the popular Treats Before Dark celebration in the fall.

Where are outdoor events typically held in Waterloo?

Francis Thomson Memorial Park is the primary venue for outdoor community events in town. Its bandstand, open-air pavilion, and green space host everything from summer festivals to holiday tree lightings and car shows.

Are there any food and drink festivals in Waterloo?

The Waterloo Main Street's Fall Fest BBQ Cook-Off is the town's signature food event. This annual competition brings together barbecue enthusiasts and also features a variety of other food and craft vendors for the community to enjoy.

How can I find free things to do in Waterloo, IN?

Many of Waterloo's community gatherings in Francis Thomson Memorial Park are free to attend. Annual events like the Summer Parade & Festival and Treats Before Dark offer entertainment without an admission fee.

What is the nightlife like in Waterloo?

Waterloo has a quiet, small-town character rather than a bustling nightlife scene. For date nights involving live music, theatre, or a wider selection of bars and restaurants, residents often visit nearby Auburn or Fort Wayne.

Where can I see live music or comedy shows in Waterloo?

Waterloo's local scene focuses more on community festivals than dedicated performance venues. For regular live music, comedy clubs, and performing arts, the larger nearby cities of Fort Wayne and Auburn are the best bet.

Which Waterloo neighborhoods have the best events?

Waterloo's event scene is centralized rather than spread across distinct neighborhoods. Nearly all major public events and community festivals take place in and around Francis Thomson Memorial Park and the historic downtown area.

What are some of Waterloo's major annual events?

The town calendar features several beloved annual traditions centered around the park. Highlights include the Summer Parade & Festival, the Old 27 Car Tour stop, and the holiday Tree Lighting & Santa in the Park.