FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
VOLUNTEER
We have a number of volunteer opportunities available leading up to the festival. Check out our Volunteer Local page to view current listings.
TRAVEL
If driving, the best way to access the festival grounds is via Regina Street. Regina also gives you access to numerous parking lots including FREE parking at the UpTown Parkade off Regina St Friday at 6 pm through Sunday at 6 pm. Compliments of UpTown Waterloo Businesses.
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From Region of Waterloo International Airport​
Turn right off of the Airport grounds and travel north on Fountain Street North.
Turn left onto Victoria Street (HWY 7).
Turn left onto Bruce Street.
Turn right onto HWY 85 NORTH exit.
Take the Bridgeport Street exit, travel WEST on Bridgeport Street (a right turn from the off-ramp)
(Bridgeport Street becomes one-way only).
Continue to the intersection of Bridgeport Road East and Regina Street North.
To reach the Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, turn left on to Regina Street, passing through the intersection of Erb and Regina (traffic lights).
There is parking to your left in the Station Lot and parking to your right accessed from Willis Way. The festival takes place in the Waterloo City Centre parking lot, across from Willis Way.
Total travel time: 19 minutes, 15 kms (approximate).
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From Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Toronto (YYZ)
Travel on HWY 401 WEST from Pearson International Airport.
Take the HWY 8 WEST exit 278 into KITCHENER.
Take the HWY 7 exit toward GUELPH/HWY 85/WATERLOO.
Take the Bridgeport Street exit, travel WEST on Bridgeport Street (a right turn from the off-ramp)
(Bridgeport Street becomes one-way only).
Continue to the intersection of Bridgeport Road East and Regina Street North.
To reach the Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, turn left on to Regina Street, passing through the intersection of Erb and Regina (traffic lights).
There is parking to your left in the Station Lot and parking to your right accessed from Willis Way. The festival takes place in the Waterloo City Centre parking lot, across from Willis Way.
Total travel time: 45min, 76 kms (approximate).
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From Detroit/Windsor, USA/Canada Border
Travel on HWY 401 EAST from DETROIT/WINDSOR.
Take the HWY 8 WEST exit 278 into KITCHENER/WATERLOO.
Turn right (NORTH) when exiting the off-ramp (Note: when exiting HWY 401, you will temporarily leave the multi-lane highway).
Continue on HWY 8. Exit onto HWY 8/KITCHENER (rejoining the multi-lane highway).
Take the HWY 7 exit toward GUELPH/HWY 85/WATERLOO.
Take the Bridgeport Street exit, travel WEST on Bridgeport Street (a right turn from the off-ramp)
(Bridgeport Street becomes one-way only).
Continue to the intersection of Bridgeport Road East and Regina Street North.
To reach the Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, turn left on to Regina Street, passing through the intersection of Erb and Regina (traffic lights).
There is parking to your left in the Station Lot and parking to your right accessed from Willis Way. The festival takes place in the Waterloo City Centre parking lot, across from Willis Way.
Total travel time: 3 hrs, 15 min, 293 kms (approximate).
Accessibility
We welcome attendees with disabilities and are dedicated to making everyone's experience comfortable.
Our pathways and entrances are accessible and we welcome service dogs within the festival grounds. Accessible parking is available at the Regina St. lot. If there is anything else we can do to assist with making your visit more comfortable, please contact us or visit the administration and merchandise booth on the left side of the stage for assistance, or find one of our volunteers!
Safe Space
Our festival welcomes persons of any race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or age. We want all of our attendees to feel safe within the festival grounds. The Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival will not tolerate harassment or abuse of any kind. Anyone who is found to be violating this policy will be removed from the festival grounds.
Parking
There are lots of parking options in Uptown Waterloo!
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Parking lot C - CIty Centre is the host of our festival.
Parking lot R - Regina Lot is reserved for Accessibility parking needs.
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All other Uptown Waterloo lots are subject to fees as posted but many are free on evenings and weekends! The Uptown Parkade has long term parking options available but is fee enforced 24/7!
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Check out all the parking options on: The Uptown Waterloo BIA's webiste.
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If you live in the area, consider taking public transit! Plan your trip using the GRT Trip Planner!