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The Guelph Grotto is situated on the territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Mississauga. Guelph’s colonial borders also hold history of the Haldimand Treaty of 1784, Treaty 3 of 1792, and Anishinaabe language. The Guelph Grotto profits and operates on land that we acknowledge and respect as Indigenous to what is currently Canada.
events
EVENTS
FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE GROTTO!
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAY TUNED!
STAY TUNED!
We're always cooking up something new for members and guests.
Check back soon to see what else we have planned!
PAST EVENTS
Past Events
PAST EVENTS
GIRLS GONE HUECO
FILM SCREENING
NOVEMBER 11TH, 2023
From the director of 'Pretty Strong', 'Girls Gone Hueco' follows the incredible journey of a group of five adventurous female rock climbers as they challenge themselves on the routes of Hueco Tank, Texas. The film showcases the awe-inspiring landscapes of Hueco Tanks, renowned for its unique rock formations and captures not only the physical feats accomplished by the women, but also the empowerment, camaraderie, and sheer determination that comes with pushing boundaries in the world of rock climbing.
Hosted next door at Royal City Brewery viewers enjoyed dinner AND a show!
GIRLS GONE HUECO
BOOLDER NIGHT
Come early for family-friendly activities … or stay late to see the monsters come out at night!
From 5 PM- 7 PM we had trick or treating, a costume contest, and tons of family-friendly fun.
From 7 PM - 10 PM, the gym was dark and scary, with a second costume contest, and a haunted house!
ARCADE NIGHT
ARCADE NIGHT
ARCADE NIGHT
SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2023
On Friday, September 22nd, climbers joined us to blast their way through some epic climbs designed to look like your favourite video games from your childhood!
The more you climbed, the more tickets you received! Tickets could be spent at our prize table or saved up for the BIG prize!
Our friends from Ctrl V Guelph joined us for virtual reality demos all night long!
Everyone’s a winner at Arcade Night!
SUMMER SWEAT FEST
Summer Sweat Fest
Summer Sweat Fest
AUGUST 17TH, 2023
On Thursday, August 17th we will be hosting the fan favourite...
Summer Sweat Fest bouldering competition!
If you haven’t climbed in a comp before or you’re a seasoned pro, this is your chance! There will be problems set at all levels and there will be two categories to choose from - Rec & Open.
- The Recreational (Friendly-Format Scramble) category will be peer judged which means you will need a fellow competitor to witness and sign your score sheet. Rec competitors can climb between 5PM - 10PM with no time limit. Results in this category can be filtered in many different ways so you can see how you did. Come give it a shot and have fun!
- Open competitors will have 5 judged problems to work in 90 minutes. The clock starts ticking with your first attempt!
Come out & get sweaty!
Climb with Pride
Climb with Pride
JUNE 28TH, 2023
The Grotto celebrated our 2SLGBTQIA+ climbers & staff with a big ol’ party and everyone was invited!
All proceeds from regular day passes purchased went directly to ARCH Guelph, supporting the awesome things that they do for our community so make sure to check them out.
All skill levels were welcome to come & climb. If you needed a little break, a craft corner was provided with lots of art supplies!
CLIMB WITH PRIDE
BOULDER WARS
BOULDER WARS
BOULDER WARS
MAY THE FOURTH, 2023
On May 4th climbers needed to choose: will they join the Rebel Alliance and Jedi knights, or will they align with the Empire and the dark side of the force?
Once sides have been chosen, participation in Boulder Wars began!!
Scores in a friendly comp determined whether climbers became a Jedi Master or Sith Lord, and contributed to the overall team score to determine which side prevails, the Light or the Dark.
Costumes were encouraged!
PUNK NIGHT
PUNK NIGHT
MARCH 10TH, 2023
Our third Genre Climb has been determined by our climbers and Punk Night was on its way!
On March 10th, climbers came to rock out to the best punk has to offer.
You may wonder how you dress up for a punk night? Wear anything that rebels against people's expectations of you, and baby you're ready for punk night!
PUNK NIGHT
Queer Bingo Social
Queer Bingo Social
FEBRUARY 21ST, 2023
We collaborated with our neighbours at Royal City Brewing Co for a Queer Social Bingo night!
Participants grabbed a bingo card and got to know each other while climbing! After, participants headed over to Royal City to play video games and board games, make crafts, have some food and beverage, or just hang out and socialize!
Queer folk and allies welcome.
QUEER BINGO SOCIAL
VALENCLIMB
VALENCLIMB
FEBRUARY 14TH, 2023
What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than climbing?
We brought back partner climbs for this event, awarding every pair who attempts our partner climbs with entry to a monetary draw courtesy of our friends at Royal City Brewing Co.
We'll also be playing a Rom-Com-worthy playlist and hosting games to test how well you know your partner.
Friends, family members, and solo climbers are welcome to come and enjoy the evening!
VALENCLIMB
90'S NIGHT
90'S NIGHT
FEBRUARY 10TH, 2023
You told us what you want, what you really really want.
As voted by you, our second Grotto genre climb was 90's Pop!
On February 10th, climbers busted out their best 90's outfits and enjoyed some great tunes.
Our Genre Climbs have been a blast, so let's keep the hype alive! Why? Because I want it that way.
90'S NIGHT
80'S NIGHT
spread the holiday queer
SPREAD THE HOLIDAY QUEER
DECEMBER 9TH, 2022
This holiday season we are celebrating our queer community!
With a craft station and a live DJ, this event was filled with fun activities for queer folk and allies alike!
Thank you to all our volunteer belayers and staff who helped out climbers try out our route climbs and develop fundamental climbing skills.
Half of the proceeds from the event were donated to
Trans Wellness Ontario and Out on the Shelf.
SPREAD THE HOLIDAY QUEER
UNIVERSITY BOULDERING SERIES
UNIVERSITY BOULDERING SERIES
NOVEMBER 12TH, 2022
This year, the Guelph Grotto brought back the University Bouldering Series.
With over 200 participants and spectators, the day was filled with action packed competition and spectacular climbing.
Congratulations to all winners and a big thank you to all participants and sponsors!
UNIVERSITY BOULDERING SERIES
