Get Involved
The Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival is one of Canada’s premier street performance festivals, bringing world-class entertainment to the heart of Uptown Waterloo each August. With a mix of music, magic, comedy, acrobatics, and more, the Carnival celebrates creativity, community, and the joy of live performance.
There are many ways to be part of the Carnival! Whether you’d like to perform, become a vendor, volunteer your time, sponsor the event, join our planning committee, or make a donation, your involvement helps keep the Carnival vibrant and free for all to enjoy. Explore the options below to see how you can get involved and help bring the magic to life.
Become a Performer — Apply Now
All applications will be reviewed, but due to the number of applicants, we are only able to contact those who are accepted. If you are not contacted for this year’s festival, please do keep in touch for future years.
Please note that we have a limited budget to contribute to travel costs, and with larger performer groups especially, we are not able to cover all costs. If you are planning on being in the area for other events, please indicate this on your application
Become a Sponsor — Support Your Local Community!
The Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival is one of the region’s most vibrant and well-loved events, attracting approximately 60,000 attendees over four action-packed days. Sponsorship is a fantastic way to show your support for the arts while gaining meaningful exposure for your brand.
Whether you're a local business, national company, or community organization, we offer flexible sponsorship packages tailored to your goals. From logo placement and signage to social media promotion and on-site presence, we’ll work with you to maximize your impact.
Join us in bringing joy, entertainment, and connection to our community—while putting your brand in front of thousands.
Become a Vendor — Apply Today!
Do you have a great product, food truck, or handmade art? Want to showcase your business at one of the region’s most exciting summer events?
Whether you're a local maker, artisan, food vendor, or business looking to grow your visibility, the Sun Life Waterloo Busker Carnival is the perfect place to connect with thousands.
To learn more—or to apply for a vendor booth or spot in Artists Alley—please email us. Spaces fill fast, so don’t wait!
Become a Volunteer — Sign Up Now!
Be part of Canada’s premier Busker Carnival — join our amazing volunteer team! Volunteers are the heart of the festival, helping with everything from setup and logistics to greeting guests, supporting performers, and keeping the energy high all weekend.
Huge thanks to the 70+ incredible volunteers who made last year’s event a success. We couldn’t do it without you!
We’re now recruiting for this August’s festival and would love to have you on board.
