Downtown Paddle Palooza
Visit Downtown Paddle Palooza
Downtown Paddle Palooza Pickleball Festival is an annual pickleball tournament and celebration of all things pickleball. It takes place in Carl Zehr Square and King Street in front of city hall on the fourth Tuesday in August.
This action-packed fundraising tournament welcomes seasoned players and those new to the game. Paddle Palooza offers friendly competition, great prizes, and high-energy vibes all day long!
Proceeds from Paddle Palooza support our Every Kid Counts program, helping make camp possible for children and youth in Kitchener by providing inclusion support.
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Carl Zehr Square and on King Street between College and Young
Divisions
Do you want to join in on the Downtown Paddle Palooza fun? Hit the courts in downtown Kitchener at Carl Zehr Square! Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, Paddle Palooza offers friendly competition, learn to play courts, great prizes, and high-energy vibes all day long.
While tournament registration is now full, there's still plenty of excitement to enjoy. Cheer on your favourite team in the competition across six divisions and support Every Kid Counts.
We have the following divisions, with 6 teams in each:
- Men’s Doubles (50+)
- Ladies’ Doubles (50+)
- Mixed Doubles (18+)
- Ladies’ Doubles (18+)
- Men's Doubles (18+)
- Adult / Youth (under 18) Doubles NEW
Come out and give pickleball a try for free on the open courts all day long.
Entertainment and activities
This free community event is geared to all levels of pickleball play – with free-to-play open courts on King Street, and tournament play in Carl Zehr Square.
Come out and give pickleball a try! Join the drop-in play (3 courts), learn the game, and get some pickleball tips. The day will offer fun activities for all ages, live music and a DJ, food trucks, vendors, a beer garden and more!
Food and drink
The only 'kitchen' will be on the courts, but we will have food trucks available, including Joey Doggs and Kettle Corn, starting at 12 p.m.
Whether a spectator or a participant, quench your thirst at the Four Fathers Brewing beer garden, open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Turn it up and get in the game
Sponsors
Parking and transit
However you get downtown, there are options available:
- transit
- vehicle and bike parking
- plan your route
- bus parking and drop-off
Transit
Hop off the ION at either the Kitchener City Hall or Victoria Park station for a quick walk. Central Station is a short walk away, as well.
GRT routes 7, 8, 20 and iXpress 204 stop within walking distance of City Hall and Carl Zehr Square.
Vehicle and bike parking
Parking is available in the City Hall parking garage, as well as other City of Kitchener parking garages or lots around Downtown Kitchener. Visit our parking locations page to find somewhere to park.
If you're visiting after 5 p.m. on Thursday or Friday, park for free at a city-owned surface lot. On Saturday and Sunday, park for free in the City Hall parking garage. Visit our hourly parking page to find parking costs outside of those times.
Secure bike parking is available in the City Hall parking garage.
You can pay for parking in surface lots through the Passport Parking app. Download the app, available both on iOS & Android. You can also pay for parking at the kiosks in parking garages and surface lots.
Plan your route
Check road closures on your route before coming downtown.
Bus parking and drop-off
Bus drop-off will be in front of the Duke Street entrance to City Hall, between College and Young Streets.
Busses can park in the Bramm Street Yards parking lot (55 Bramm Street). Please send us an email to let us know when you plan to arrive.
Contact Us
The City of Kitchener
200 King Street W
Kitchener, ON
Telephone: 519-741-2878
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: kitchenerlive@kitchener.ca