Annual Festivals and Events in Kingston ON:
First Canada Inns is sure to be your centre of operations when exploring all the fun and excitement the city of Kingston has to offer. Here are a few of the countless activites the city is famous for hosting each year:
NOTE: Please be sure to call the listed organizers for each event of interest to determine latest information on times and dates of events you would like to attend.
January - February
Live @ Your Library
Kingston Jazz Association, local libraries. A series of Sunday afternoon concerts featuring Canadadian performers.
Feb Fest
Held in Market Square in early February.
A winter carnival with public skatinig, ice sculptures, a hockey tournament featuring NHL stars and celebrity guests, and much more.
www.febfestkingston.com
Kingston Winter Antique Show
Held in early February at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Dealers from eastern Canada offer a wide variety of antiques and collectibles.
Call 613-386-3584
Cézannes Closet
Held at Union Gallery in Queen's University in early February.
Over 100 works of art are exhibited at this formal event.
Call 613-533-3171
Historic Hockey Series
Held at Confederation Basin in mid February.
A competitive re-enactment of the first games between Queen's University, The Royal Military College and RCHA Petawawa.
Call 613-548-4415
Kiwanis Music Festival
Held late February - early March. Classes in all manner of music and voice.
Call 613-548-7470
March - April
The Lung Association Gardening Festival
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, early March.
Get the scoop on the latest in gardening products and services.
Call 613-545-3462
Kingston Canadian Film Festival
Held in early March.
Screenings of top Canadian films with workshops, seminars and much more.
Maple Madness
Held in mid March at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area.
Take a trip ot the sugar bush and enjoy pancakes and maple syrup, puppet shows and more.
Call 613-546-4228 ext 500
Rail-O-Rama
Held mid March.
Call 613-548-8427
May
Kingston Arts Council, Juried Arts Salon
Held at the Kingston Public Library
Call 613-546-2787
Summer Theatre
Held May through October at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Gananoque.
Kingston Potters' Guild Show and Sale
Held in early May at 370 King St. W.
Copper Sunday Parade
Held on the first Sunday in May at the Royal Military College.
Red uniformed officer-cadets march through Kingston streets to services a number of local churches in the city.
Call 613-541-6000 ext 6484
Royal Military College Sunset Ceremony and Commissioning Parade
Friday - Sunday on the Victoria Day weekend. Visitors welcome!
Call 613-541-6000 ext 6484
Maritime Fest
Held in mid May.
A black tie affair, featuring excellent seafood and down-home music and culture.
613-530-2050 or 613-544-4910
Festival on the St. Lawrence
A series of concerts featuring a variety of regional professional musicians.
Call 544-5400 ext 1359
Music Lovers' House Tour
Kingston Symphony, late May.
Talented musicians perform as you tour a series of homes and churches.
Call 613-546-9729
Up the Garden Path Studio and Garden Tour
1000 Islands Parkway in late May.
Artists open their studios and gardens to th public.
613-659-3874
June
Beat Beethoven Race
Kingston Symphony, early June.
A race accompanied by a Kingston Symphony performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
Call 613-546-9729
Dragon Boat Festival
Held in early June.
Exciting races, entertainment and family activities.
Antique and Classic Car Show
Held in early June at the Odessa Fairgrounds.
Featuring cars from the 20's thru 80's, plus crafts, antiques and more.
Call 613-389-2557
Summer Theatre
Thousand Islands Playhouse. (see May)
First Capital Days
Held mid June.
Events celebrating Kingston's colorful history as the first capital city of United Canada.
Call 613-546-4291 ext 1706
Folklore Celebration
Held mid June.
Passports available at the Tourist Information Office.
A multicultural celebration with entertainment and wonderful ethnic delicacies.
Call 613-548-4415
Fanfayr Arts and Crafts Show
Held in late June - early July at Confederation Park
Over 80 artists offer a wide variety of unusual and beautiful creations.
613-549-7706
July
Canada Day Celebrations
City of Kingston: 613-546-4291 ext 1706
Downtown Kingston: 613-548-4415
Old Fort Henry: 613-542-7388
Bellevue House: 613-545-8666
Fort Henry Sunset Ceremonies
Wednesdays.
Experience the pomp and pageantry of the British Military of 1867 with music by the Drums of Fort Henry and the Drill Squad and Artillery Units.
Call 613-542-7388
Sky is the Limit Festival
City Park, early July.
A fun-filled day of activities and events for the whole family presented by the Kingston Police.
Call 613-549-4141 ext 244
Kingston Buskers' Rendezvousl
Mid July.
Four days of jugglers, acrobats, dancers, singers, magicians, comedians and more.
Taste of Kingston
Held late July, Confederation Park.
Taste your way thfough the weekend sampling the cuisine of Kingston's best eateries. Live entertainment.
Call 613-548-4415
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
Held late July, at Old Fort Henry.
Listen to the Kingston Symphony put on an incredible concert with guest performers, live cannon and fireworks finale.
Call 613-542-7388
Fort Henry Tattoo
Held late July, at Old Fort Henry.
Military tattoo featuring world-class military bands from across Canada.
August
Summer Theatre
1000 Islands Playhouse. (See May)
K-Town Triathlon
Held in early August.
Long and short course events, swim, bike and run, plus a duathlon and team events.
Sheep Dog Trials
Grass Creek Park, early August.
Featuring the world's best trial dogs and handlers, plus demonstrations, crafts, music and more.
Call: 613-546-4291 ext 1706
1000 Islands Poker Run
Confederation Basin, mid August.
A three day competition with over 150 awesome power boats, entertainment and lots of action.
Call 613-548-4415
Women's Art Festival
City Park, mid August.
Show casing the works of talented local artists.
Call: 613-546-1237
Festival of the Islands
Held mid August.
Ten days of activities including water-front concerts, historic re-enactments, mini poker run, antique boats and classic cars.
Scene of the Crime Festival
Held in mid August on Wolfe Island.
Writers' workshops and literary lunch, short story contest and more.
Call: 613-385-2540
Limestone City Blues Festival
Held at various locations in late August.
Four days of the best in blues with internationally renowned artists.
Canadian Olympic Training Regatta, Kingston
Held in mid to late August at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
September
Inroads Studio Tour
Early September.
Land O'Lakes and Lanark Highlands.
8000-840-4445
KIngston Fall Fair
Mid September
Midway, agricultural displays and shows, entertainment, children's activities and more.
613-542-6701
Canada Dance Sport Competition
Mid September
Competitors from 12 different countries dancing at all levels.
Chilifest
Late September.
Sample fabulous chili creations from over 30 of Kingston's finest restaurants.
Kingston Jazz Festival
Late September, various locations.
Performances by some of Canada's most celebrated talents.
October
Gem and Mineral Show
Early October, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
Featuring jewlry, crystals, fossils, carvings and more.
613-384-4439
Town and Country Studio Tour
Mid October.
Juried professional artists from Kingston and area open their studios and welcome visitors.
www.kingstonartists.com
November - December
Hadassah Auxiliary Bazaar
Early November.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Great values and bargains in new and used designer fashions and winter coats.
613-544-9842
Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Show
Early November.
Members' creations in home decor, baskets, toys and clothing.
613-549-3298
Creativity Arts and Crafts Show
Mid November, Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
Artists display and sell one-of-a-kind craft creations.
613-549-5519
Rockin' at the Clock
Market Square, New Year's Eve
A family event with entertainment, skating, hot chocolate and fireworks.
613-546-4291 ext 1706