Woodside National Historic Site in Kitchener, Ontario, is preparing to host an Oktoberfest-themed heritage event on October 17, 2026. The program, titled Oktoberfest in Berlin, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will introduce visitors to aspects of the community’s history through activities at the historic property. The outdoor event will be free to attend, while regular admission charges will apply to visitors entering the historic house. Organized at a location administered by Parks Canada, the event offers an opportunity to consider the relationship between present-day cultural celebrations and the historical development of the city.
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Kitchener was known as Berlin until 1916, reflecting the importance of German-speaking settlers in the region’s nineteenth-century development. The city’s name changed during the First World War, a period when public attitudes toward German identity were influenced by international conflict. The history of the community therefore includes both the preservation of cultural traditions and periods of significant social change. Contemporary Oktoberfest celebrations provide one opportunity to explore this heritage, although the city’s identity has continued to evolve through subsequent generations and migration.
Woodside is a designated national historic site associated with the childhood of William Lyon Mackenzie King, who later became Canada’s longest-serving prime minister. The preserved property provides a setting for examining aspects of domestic life and social history in the late nineteenth century. During the October event, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in Victorian-era games on the grounds and explore the historic home. These activities offer an informal introduction to historical subjects while allowing visitors to experience the setting directly.
