Visit Kingston

May 29, 2025May 29, 2025

Six local clothing and shoe stores to visit in downtown Kingston

Now more than ever, Canadians are motivated to shop local. Lucky for Kingston visitors and locals looking to reinforce their national anthem’s call for a “true north strong,” the city is home to a plethora of locally owned clothing and shoe stores you can support. Here are some of our favourites.

Cloth

131 Princess Street

Cloth is a downtown clothing and accessory shop boasting weekly discounts. From blazers to shorts to tote bags, Cloth offers a variety of items you can wear to your next business meeting or gift to a friend or family member. Browse their racks of clothes from a wide variety of brands in-person at their Princess Street location or online.

See something you like on their website? Cloth offers free delivery in Kingston and shipping across Canada and internationally for a fee.

City+Oak

212 Princess Street

City+Oak’s display window consistently features fashionable and unique shirts and bottoms that pique the interest of Kingston visitors and locals alike. The products inside City+Oak are no exception, including white and black stripped sweaters and white linen pants.

City+Oak has a online store selling discounted items. They have free curb side pick-up at their Princess Street location and ship their clothes internationally and within Canada.

Chris James

253 Ontario Street

Need a suit or dress for an upcoming bridal shower as well as a gift to bring to the function? Visit Chris James during your next stroll around downtown Kingston.

Approach the clothing store’s sleek grey awning and step inside this local business selling suit jackets, cashmere sweaters, and long trench coats. They also offer unique lifestyle items—like wine totes and candles that smell of tonka bean and leather—you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere. If you can’t make it to their Ontario Street location, visit their online store. They offer in-store pick-up and shipping in Canada and the USA.

Fancy That and The Roundstone

48 Princess Street

Fancy That & The Roundstone have been selling quality clothing items at their location on Princess and King Street for over 50 years. The stores—located next to each other and run by the same family—boast new arrivals every season and offer an eclectic array of European-inspired clothing items.

Fancy That is perfect if you’re looking for trendy clothes like loungewear or thick scarves, while The Roundstone sells higher-end pieces for fancy dinner parties. At both stores, however, you can expect warm greetings and a smooth shopping experience guided by fashion experts.

Visit Fancy That and The Roundstone online store. They offer in-store pickup and shipping across Canada.

A-One Clothing

358 King Street East

Before your next outdoor expedition, visit A-One Clothing offering brands like Blundstone, Canada Goose, and Timberland. Since 1938, this downtown business has been selling women and men’s clothing, footwear, gear, accessories, as well as Big & Tall items at A1 prices, as their name suggests.

You can browse A-One’s most popular products on their website before visiting their online store. Make a list of items you’re interested in purchasing, submit the list on their website, and the store will check their inventory, getting back to you within one business day.

If they have the item you’re interested in, you can order it online and pick it up in-store. You can also have it shipped to you if you live in Kingston.

Heel Boy

244 Princess Street

This beloved shoe store with locations in Toronto and Kingston sells men’s, women’s and kids’ shoes from brands like Steve Madden and Johnston & Murphy and they always stay up to date with the latest trends. So, the next time you need a shiny pair of heels, strappy sandals, or retro sneakers, visit Heel Boy. Their sign hanging over Princess Street’s sidewalk is hard to miss.

Heel Boy also offers free shipping to most provinces in Canada on orders over $150 and to the USA on orders over $200. Visit their website to browse their products and order yourself a new pair of pumps or running shoes today.

BONUS: Pure Colour Baby

Looking to shop for your kiddo from the comfort of your own home? Local Kingston business Pure Colour Baby is an online boutique selling children’s clothes for every season.

Each item of organic cotton clothing shipped to your doorstep—from their warm pullovers to comfy shorts—is designed and made in Kingston. Many of the prints on their high-quality items are hand-illustrated by local artist Found & Lost Art. And all of their kids’ clothing is designed with adjustable features that allow the items to last through several sizes. Visit Pure Colour Baby’s website today and receive free shipping on orders over $150 within Canada. For more local businesses in Kingston, read Unique Kingston Stores.

May 29, 2025May 30, 2025

Your guide to Kingston Pride

June is Pride Month and Kingston is welcoming an array of events and entertainment in celebration and support of the local 2SLGBTQI+ community. To help you keep track of everything going on, we’ve put together a handy guide for all-things pride. This year’s theme is “The Rainbow and Beyond: Stronger Together,” underscoring the 2SLGBTQI+ community’s unity and the importance of allyship.

Are we missing a Kingston Pride experience? Contact emilyca@tourismkingston.com to let us know so we can add it to the list.

Are you in need of some Pride merch to wear to these events? View our online shop for Kingston Pride merch. To see the full schedule and purchase your tickets to certain events, visit Kingston Pride’s website. Make sure to follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates about all the pride month festivities.

Out on the Queen boat cruise

June 6 at 6 pm
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises (248 Ontario Street)
19+

Kick off Pride by joining local drag queens on the Island Queen for a cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Enjoy drag, burlesque, and dancing performances hosted by Tyffanie Morgan and featuring talent like BeeWitched, Extraversion Olive Oil, Street Meat, and Jessie James. Purchase your tickets today.

Vibrant Voices Song Circle

June 7 from 1 to 3 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages

Join Max Gries—local queer and non-binary piano teacher—in this song circle intended to build community and foster belonging.

Pride Run/Walk

June 8 from 11am to 2 pm
East end of Kingston
All ages

Take to Kingston’s east end and hit the pavement with the free Pride Run! Take off or take it easy and walk the route that starts at Kingston East Community Centre and moves up Highway 15.

Craft night with Beaded By Ari

June 9 from 5 to 7 pm
Jeannie’s Place (844a Princess Street)
All ages

Bring your friends and family to this inclusive community centre in midtown Kingston to make your own colourful bracelet for Pride month. Beaded by Ari— a talented local artist who creates beaded bracelets from high-quality gemstones, clay, and seeds—will guide the creative process.

Games and trivia nights

June 10 – Pride trivia at The Grad Club (162 Barrie Street) from 5 to 7 pm
June 10 – Game night at Kingston Nexus (270 Bagot Street) from 6 to 9 pm
June 11 – Game night at Wonderland (500 Gardiners Road Unit 2A) from 6 to 9 pm
All ages

Join a game night with Kingston Pride! Bring some friends or join a table and meet new people at one of three locations: downtown at Kingston Nexus, The Grad Club located on Queen’s University campus, and Wonderland—Improbable Escapes west-end board game café.

Drag makeup class with BeeWitched

June 11 from 4 to 7 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages

Perfect your approach to eyeshadow at this makeup class with a local drag queen. Bring your own makeup products and listen as BeeWitched walks you through the step-by-step process of painting your face like a queen.

Create and resist: queer activism in mini-forms

June 12 from 4 to 7 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages

Even small acts of opposition against oppressive forces are important in supporting the 2SLGBTQI+ community. Learn and embody what it takes to effectively enact queer activism at this event hosted at the downtown public library.

Queeraoke

June 13 from 8 to 11 pm
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
19+

Kingston Pride and Daft Brewing come together to host Queeraoke! Take to the floor and belt out the classics, enjoy Daft’s delicious drinks, and kick back on the patio if you need to take a breather between tracks.

Kingston Pride Parade

June 14 from noon to 1 pm
Downtown Kingston
All age

The main event! Bring your family, friends, pets, and pride to this free parade. Join in on the annual march, starting at the Memorial Centre track and travelling down Princess Street to Ontario Street.

Community fair

June 14 from 10 am to 5 pm
Confederation Park (next to Visitor Information Centre, 209 Ontario Street)
All ages

The community fair brings together a variety of local vendors and performers to beautiful Confederation Park. Shop the tables while enjoying live music.

Drag storytime

June 14 from 1 to 1:30 pm
Kingston Library central branch (130 Johnson Street)
All ages

After enjoying the high-energy Pride parade, sit back and listen to engaging tales read by inspiring drag queens. Kingston Frontenac Public Library and Gila Münster—a Toronto-based drag queen—host a drag storytime event.

An Evening of Pride drag shows

June 14 from 7 to 10 pm
Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario Street)
All ages

Round out this pride-filled day and head down to the Kingston waterfront to watch performances from talented drag queens.

Drag queen extraordinaire Rowena Whey will guide you through performances from Perla, Blowponey, Yuni Verse, Dare De Lafemme, and Bekka Blake. After enjoying the performance in the park, stop in to the Visitor Information Centre and grab some locally themed Pride merch.

Rowena Whey’s Pride recovery brunch

June 15 from noon to 2 pm
Wharf & Feather (2 Princess Street)
All ages

Want to keep the Pride festivities going? How about brunch and a show?

Come out to Wharf and Feather and top up your week with a brunch hosted by local drag queen Rowena Whey. While you indulge in a caprese croissant or savour a smoked salmon bagel, enjoy drag performances from special guests like ProbleMatthew and Tyffanie Morgan. Purchase your tickets today.

Movies in the Square

June 19
Springer Market Square
All ages

ReelOut and Kingston Pride are back for another special edition of Movies in the Square. Bring a chair and your favourite snacks for a free, family-friendly movie projected onto a massive screen erected in the historic Springer Market Square.

Keep an eye on Kingston Pride’s website to see what movie they’re screening.

Are you looking for Pride merch? Shop our Pride merchandise at the Visitor Information Centre: 209 Ontario St or online. 25% of Pride merch sales in June will be donated to Kingston Pride.

Make it a Pride Month getaway: explore packages at local Rainbow Registered hotels. Rainbow Registered is a program of the CGLCC, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce. Rainbow Registered businesses have demonstrated that they are LGBTQI+-friendly and provide a welcoming and inclusive customer and staff experience. Explore more Rainbow Registered businesses in Kingston.

May 26, 2025May 26, 2025

Athletes of Kingston: Arthur and Brittany Laramie

Two former members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be managing a new minor football league this fall, one on the field and the other on the administration side.

Arthur Laramie, a former competitive football player, has brought his passion for coaching on the gridiron while Brittany Laramie will be the league commissioner. The married couple were both members of Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. They have been involved in local football since they retired from the Armed Forces eight years ago.

They hope to create the Kingston Football League with the help of community partners including Tourism Kingston and BGC South East. The league will field teams in the Under 10, U12, and U14 divisions.

“We have a great board that just wants to bring an elevated house league for football players,” says Arthur. “I’m the background person who organizes thing with the help of the board of directors,” Brittany adds. Her duties will include fields and facilities bookings, organizing equipment, formulating the teams among other duties.

The league will be sanctioned by Football Ontario and Football Canada. The Laramies are looking for volunteer coaches and managers for the inaugural season. No football knowledge necessary. The couple have produced a handbook for coaches to teach young players the basics of minor football including drills and plays.

“They’ll help the kids flourish and get ready if they want to take the next step to the AAA Grenadiers football or high school and hopefully on to Queen’s University football,” says Arthur.

“We really want to make sure this league is an elevated football experience that we believe Kingston is ready for,” Brittany adds. “Kids who get into sports early build such incredible relationships –not only with their peers—but they also find mentorship with coaches, so the continuity is there. For kids to be able get into football young and know they’re supported all the way through to whatever level they want to compete at, that’s really important—specially in the Kingston community.

“Football is a great way for kids to find something to do in the fall,” Brittany continues. “Maybe they don’t necessarily fit into the hockey or basketball scene, it’s not their jam and they’re looking for something different.”

Arthur says the new league will build lasting relationships with high school football, the Kingston Grenadiers Football Club, and Queen’s University football.

“We can show an eight-year-old athlete there’s a local pathway for them through football. It’s super important for us for player development.”

Arthur played football as a young boy in Sherwood Park, Alberta and continued playing club football for the Edmonton Huskies until 2004 when the Huskies won the national championship. The couple moved to Kingston to be near Brittany’s family after their respective military careers ended.

“I did two tours of Afghanistan and on my way out I got into coaching in 2016,” says Arthur. He coached local high school teams the Ernestown Eagles and Frontenac Falcons as well as with the Kingston Grenadiers and the Queen’s women eleven-on-eleven contact flag football.

“I was an offensive lineman and defensive nose guard my entire career, so I lived in trenches,” says Arthur, “so it’s funny that I went into the infantry, the transition was seamless!”

And Arthur’s military experience feeds back into his philosophy as a coach.

“As I was transitioning out of the military I wanted to give back to young adults and give them the foundation of teamwork, selflessness, esprit de corps, and just being a good person on and off the field. Because these are the things that set me up for success.

“The first thing I like to do is find their limit and teach them how they can mentally push themselves past the physical limitations that they set on themselves.”

Brittany also sees the important life lessons learned by young athletes on the football field. “I see the teamwork and the relationships that are built on the field with kids who are supporting each other, making sure that they do their job and that they understand their responsibility. Those things are so important to the development of kids.”

“At the end of the day, the score doesn’t matter,” Arthur emphasizes. “What matters is the effort in the weeks of practice, the weeks at home visualizing the success, and the effort on the field on game day. If we lose, it’s with grace, eyes up, good handshakes, smiles, and thanks to our opponents for teaching us something about ourselves.”

For more information on the league contact brittany@kingstonfootball.ca.

Tourism Kingston is proud to support local coaches and volunteers like Arthur and Brittanie Laramie who give their time and energy to help young people connect to community through sport.

May 22, 2025May 22, 2025

Six festivals to check out this May and June in Kingston

As spring gives way to summer, Kingston hosts a variety of festivals including a two-day cheese-tasting experience and an immersive art exhibition exploring resistance and solidarity. Check out these six events taking place throughout May and June in Kingston.

The Great Canadian Cheese Festival

Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
May 24, 10 am—5 pm & May 25, 10 am—4 pm

Taste creamy brie and sharp blue cheese at The Great Canadian Cheese Festival happening at Fort Henry. The two-day event will feature kids’ cheese-making workshops, tasting events, live music, and over 80 vendors who explain what it takes to make the perfect block of parmesan.

As well as making their own cheese, your kiddo will learn about the production and history behind Swiss, Limburger, blue, and cream cheeses during the kid’s cheese-making workshop. The festival also offers programming for adults, including a Canadian award-winning cheese tasting (May 24 at 11 am & May 25 at 1 pm) and Quebec cheese tasting (May 24 at 1 pm & May 25 at 11 am). They’re even hosting a tasting called “All Around the Farmyard” (May 24 at 3 pm) where you’ll get to try interesting cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cow’s milk, all produced on Canadian farms.

As you roam the historic military fort and snack on various cheeses, enjoy live jazz music from Toronto musician Howard Lopez.

Visit The Great Canadian Cheese Festival’s website to purchase your tickets and check out their full schedule.

Spring Reverb

Various locations
May 29 to June 1

Music reverberates throughout Kingston this May and June. The fourth annual Spring Reverb returns, featuring live-music events at local businesses.

Pop into Musiikki Café to hear original songs from Ash Malloy, Julia Finnegan, and Clara Smallman (May 30 at 7 pm). Or head over to the Broom Factory for CJ Wiley’s Big Gay Night featuring music from emerging indie-pop musician Mint Simon, queer line dancing with country tunes from the band SPURS, film screenings, and more (May 31 at 7 pm). While most of the shows are open to all ages, events at The Mansion—like the showcase of Montreal pop artists (May 31 at 9 pm)—and The Toucan are 19+.

Check out Spring Reverb’s full schedule online and purchase your advance tickets.

Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA): Seeds of Resistance and Solidarity

Various locations
June 4 to 7

FOLDA’s theatre performances invite audiences to reflect upon our current social and political climate. This year’s festival of live digital art focuses on resistance and solidarity with shows that delve into topics such as migration, identity, inclusion, technology, and kinship. Audiences actively contribute to FOLDA’s shows, providing real-time feedback to artists that shape the final version of the performance.

FOLDA’s thought-provoking performances include “WindRush,” a live concept album exploring migration and identity by Marcel Stewart (June 4 & 6 at 8 pm) and “Kinnomics” by artist Iman Datoo (June 6 at 5:30 pm), an interactive art exhibition taking you on a journey examining economic problems and kinship.

Visit FOLDA’s website to learn more and purchase your tickets.

YGK Craft Beer Fest

Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
June 14 noon—8 pm

Kick off summer with YGK Craft Beer Fest, boasting craft beer vendors from local and visiting businesses like MacKinnon Brothers Brewing and SIPS Niagara. The festival features Kingston artisans and food vendors—including Mio Gelato and barbeque restaurant Smoke ’N’ Barrel—as well as lawn games for your kids to play. As you enjoy your cold brew, watch the sun dip below Kingston’s waterfront.

Visit the Fort Henry website to purchase your tickets and learn more about the festival. All ages are welcome.

Skeleton Park Arts Festival

McBurney Park (30 Alma Street)
June 21 & 22

This free annual arts festival returns to Skeleton Park for its 20th year. The Skeleton Park Arts Festival has previously boasted live music from JUNO-nominated musicians, lively parades, local food vendors, community information booths, and vibrant art made by local artists.

Keep an eye on the festival’s website and Instagram for their programming schedule. In the meantime, check out their year-round programs, including art exhibitions at The Elm Cafe—a cozy coffee shop in Kingston’s Inner Harbour neighbourhood.

Artfest Kingston

City Park
June 28 to July 1, 10 am—5 pm

City Park becomes a lively creative hub during Artfest Kingston. Take a stroll around the park to hear local poets present their works and explore booths selling handmade pottery, paintings, clothing and accessories, hot sauces and honey. The annual festival also offers programs for kids, where they’ll learn how to make prints and create cardboard sculptures.

Artfest features an Indigenous arts pavilion, featuring art, sculpture, demonstrations, and performances. Keep an eye on the festival’s website to learn which Indigenous artists will be featured at this year’s pavilion.

There are several businesses in Kingston hosting live musicians starting in May. Read your guide to patios, pubs, breweries, and bars with live music in Kingston to learn more about Kingston’s vibrant music scene.

May 20, 2025May 30, 2025

25 things to do in Kingston this June

There’s no better place to be in the summer than Kingston. The city comes alive with streetside patios, outdoor concerts, guided tours, and waterfront activities. Date night destination? Family-fun adventures? Girls’ trip inspo? Time in nature? You’ll find it all in the Limestone City.

Visit Kingston with $100+ on us! Book a package at select hotels in Kingston and receive up to $200 to explore the rich history of Kingston, Canada’s first capital.

Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our Kingston events calendar for consideration. If you’re looking to submit a French-language event, please use our French submission form.

Click each image for information.

1. New shipwreck cruise

View the sightseeing or dining cruises
Book tickets online

2. Princess Street Promenade

Shopping, unique finds, exclusive sales, interactive activities, and more

3. Cannonball Crush

Open to anyone ages 13+
New obstacle course for participants ages 13–17
Register now

4. Tour the S.S. Keewatin

Available May–October
Book tickets

5. Pride Week

View events lineup
Stay updated by following Kingston Pride’s Facebook or Instagram

6. U19 Girls’ Pan-Am Cup (Volleyball)

7. Highway of Heroes kickoff event

June 22, 10 am–4 pm
At the RCEME Museum within the Military Communications And Electronics Museum
Learn more

8. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

Adult (16+) $44.50, Child (2–15) $35.50
Book tickets

9. YGK Craft Beer Fest

Tickets: $9.60–$25.32
Book tickets
View the entertainment lineup and vendors online

10. Bellevue House National Historic Site

View the activities and experiences available

11. Ontario Native Basketball Invitational

Learn more about the ONBI

12. Lobsterfest

Tickets $150
Tickets include all-you-can-eat lobster, wine, salad, and dessert
Learn more

13. Leonid & Friends

The world’s greatest Chicago tribute 2025 tour
Book tickets

14. Kingston bike tours

Book your tour
View rentals including kayak rentals, bike rentals, canoe rentals, and more

15. FOLDA: Festival of Live Digital Art

View festival schedule

16. Neptune & Salacia diving

View activity calendar

17. MUSEUM OF HEALTH CARE TOURS

Learn more about the guided tours offered

18. Montreal Street vintage market

A vibrant street market
Find handmade, vintage, and thrift items

19. Inclusive Fun Fair

Free, family-friendly event
Includes inclusive activities, live entertainment, vendor market featuring local artisans and businesses, KidsZone with inflatables and games, and BBQ and food vendors

20. Housewife

Doors open at 7 pm
Tickets: $15
Book tickets

21. Kingston Waters Cleanup 2025

22. Dinosaurs Among Us

April 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026
Access included with museum admission
Designed for all ages

23. Kingston Food Tours

Classic Kingston Tours available Wed.–Sun.
Tapas Tour available Fri. & Sat.
Book tickets online

24. Outdoor adventures

View all escape rooms online

25. Artfest Kingston

Includes art, activities, food, and more.
Learn more

Events just in

Kingston Public Market | Springer Market Square | Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
Sunday Jazz Brunch | Black Dog Tavern | Sundays starting June 29

Are you looking for more things to do, packaged experiences, and places to dine in Kingston?

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

May 20, 2025May 20, 2025

Spring Reverb: a Kingston music festival

The fourth annual edition of SPRING REVERB takes place May 29 to June 1, 2025 throughout downtown Kingston and the Inner Harbour. The unique Kingston music festival features a variety of live music shows plus professional development opportunities for musicians.

Showcases

Friday, May 31

Menno Versteeg (of Hollerado) with special guest Anthea Feaver

BSE Skate Shop
1:30 to 3:15 pm (doors open 1 pm)
All ages: $22.50
Get tickets

Menno Versteeg:
set time: 2:15–3:15 pm
With a stellar career spanning two decades as the leader of Hollerado and one-quarter of supergroup Anyway Gang, Menno Versteeg is no stranger to the stage and the airwaves, ten Top 10 singles, one gold record and one #1 alternative single. Why We Run is his first solo album.

Anthea Fever:
set time: 1:30–2 pm
Anthea Feaver is a songwriter passionate about traditional folk music; a teacher with a degree in community arts education; and an old-time fiddle and banjo player. On stage, she is as likely to sing a bittersweet love song as she is to give a quick history lesson, tell a long-winded joke, or break into an upbeat tune. What shines throughout is her ability to draw people together. Whether at an intimate house concert or on a festival stage, Anthea has her audience singing and laughing along

Sunday, June 1

Snotty Nose Rez Kids with special guest KaKaow

Broom Factory
2–4 pm (doors open 1:30 pm)
All ages: $30
Get tickets

Snotty Nose Rez Kids:
set time: 2–45-3:45pm
Snotty Nose Rez Kids are the First Nations hip hop duo Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce. Since their debut in 2017, they have gained recognition for their politically charged lyrics and high-energy performances. Their album The Average Savage was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award, marking their rise in the Canadian music scene. This year, Snotty Nose Rez Kids became the first Indigenous group to win the Juno award for rap album of the year (for the album Red Future).

KaKaow:
set time: 2-2:30 pm
KaKaow is a Kingston psychedelic and funk-infused multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, performer and creator. Drawing from a wide array of influences from Parliament-Funkadelic and Hendrix to K+Lab and Stickybuds, KaKaow is an up-and-coming contemporary Indigenous artist not to be missed.

See the full music line-up on the Spring Reverb website.

Industry events

Friday, May 30

Building a career: levelling up your music business

Guests: Double Experience
Broom Factory
12–1 pm (doors open 11:45 am)
All ages: free
RSVP to this event.

So, you’ve got the songs—but what about the strategy? This isn’t your average workshop. Join us for a refreshingly real convo on the business side of music. With over a decade of experience delivering this program at schools and conferences, music industry veterans Ian Nichols and Brock Tinsley provide actionable strategies to help artists turn their passion into a sustainable career. Learn how to monetize your talent and navigate the business side of the arts with confidence and leave this presentation with your very own blueprint you can immediately apply to your chosen career in the arts.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office.

Friday, May 30

Know your rights: Canadian music law 101

Broom Factory
1–2 pm (doors open 12:45 pm)
All ages: free
RSVP to this event.

Copyrights, contracts, royalties—oh my! Don’t let legal stuff trip you up. Join Ian Harris from Edwards Creative Law for a friendly breakdown of the essentials every Canadian musician (and manager!) should understand. Learn the basics, ask your questions, and leave feeling empowered.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office.

Saturday, May 31

Mentorship Café

Broom Factory
5–7 pm
All ages: free
RSVP to this event.

Pull up a chair and meet the music pros. The Mentorship Café is your chance to connect with industry guests— indie label reps, booking agents, sync supervisors, A&R experts, and more. Free to attend, but registration is required.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

Friday, May 30

DIY merch and sustainable fashion drop-in

Wherehouse
1–4 pm
All ages: free
RSVP to this event.

Give your merch table a glow-up. From 1 to 4 pm, drop into the Wherehouse (Unit 15, 12 Cataraqui St.) for a hands-on workshop with designers and makers Eron One, emske design studio, Die Twice, and Born 2 Decay. Learn to screenprint, customize your own pieces, make buttons and more, all on the spot. Bring your own tee or purchase from a selection of thrifted ones onsite. Free, fun, and wildly useful.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

Friday, May 30

TikTok marketing tips with Ash Malloy

Musiikki Café
6–7 pm
All ages: free
RSVP to this event.

Want to level up your TikTok game? Join TikTok phenom Ash Malloy for an intimate pre-show roundtable in Musiikki’s courtyard. Whether you’re a bedroom popstar or a seasoned artist, learn what actually works. Limited capacity and packed with insight.

Please note that while this conversation is free and open to everyone, a paid ticket ($15) is required for those wishing to stay for Ash’s performance, starting at 7:30 pm. Get your ticket for Ash Malloy in concert.

Co-presented by the Kingston Music Office

Check out all the weekend’s events on the Spring Reverb website.

May 7, 2025May 26, 2025

Get a taste of Kingston: local food and drink experiences

From discovering new flavours at upcoming festivals to enjoying local dishes on a guided tour, Kingston’s food scene offers delicious experiences.

Festivals and markets

YGK Craft Beer Fest

Fort Henry

June 14

Kick off the summer in Kingston at YGK Craft Beer Fest, the city’s annual celebration of live music, local food, and delicious brews. Take in the scenic waterfront and downtown skyline from Fort Henry Hill while sipping on locally made drinks, including beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy a stellar musical lineup. Keep an eye on the Fort Henry website for updates, tickets, and vendors.

Ribfest & Craft Beer Show

Memorial Centre

September 5–7

The air around the Memorial Centre will be rich with the smell of barbeque in early September when the Ribfest & Craft Beer Show arrives in town. Returning for its twelfth year, this festival is the best spot to enjoy mouth-watering barbequed ribs and chicken, paired with Ontario craft beers, ciders, and more. Grab some grub and a nice spot in the sun, and make sure to stick around for live entertainment and activities for kids. Learn more on their website.

Poutine Feast

Memorial Centre

September 18–21

An annual tradition returns in September as vendors from all over set up at the grounds of the Memorial Centre to serve an iconic Canadian dish – poutine! Poutine Feast brings together a variety of vendors offering their takes on poutine, featuring the magical combination of French fries, gravy, and cheese curds. This culinary celebration also offers games, competitions, and activities for both kids and adults.

Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

Memorial Centre

Sundays

Find delicious, local food and a friendly, community atmosphere at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market. This Sunday market brings together local makers, producers, and artisans offering a wide range of fresh produce, hot meals, and tasty treats. In the warmer months, the market is hosted in the park in front of the Memorial Centre, where vendors set up tables under shady trees, musicians perform for shoppers and picnickers, and you might even catch some morning yoga! The market runs from 9 am to 2 pm from May to October. Take a look at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market website to see who will be there next Sunday.

Tastings

Bobbi Pecorino’s Sunday afternoon wine tastings

326 King St. E.

Sundays

Whether you fancy yourself a casual wine drinker or an amateur sommelier, a visit to Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar on a Sunday afternoon offers an experience for the senses. Each tasting consists of four wines plus pairings from their food menu as well as an educational exploration of the lands and cultures behind each wine. Find more details on their website, and check out our feature on Bobbi Pecorino’s for a look behind the glass.

Guided tours

City Sips: A walking wine tour in Kingston

Tuesdays–Sundays

Sip your way through historic locales in downtown Kingston on a leisurely wine tour with sommelier Ian Nicholls. Whether you’re new to the region or have lived here your whole life, this walking tour gives you a thorough introduction to wines from all across the world, hosted at charming restaurants, bars, and shops in downtown Kingston. Each day of the week features a different tour of four spots, so you can experience something new each time. Check out the list of stops and book your spot on the County Sips website.

Picnic and Sail with Ahoy Rentals

21 Ontario St.

Weekends, May 17– October 12

For a different take on seafaring dining, a sail and picnic charter from Ahoy Rentals offers groups from two to five a weekend voyage and lunch aboard a sailboat. Board the Pommie Bee, a 26-foot sailing sloop and take in the views of Kingston’s picturesque waterfront while enjoying a delicious lunch from Pan Chancho, including a platter of cheese, fruit, and spreads, an entrée of your choice, and assorted desserts. Visit the Ahoy Rentals website for more details and to book your spot.

Brewery tours at Fine Balance Brewing

677 Innovation Dr.

By appointment

Get the inside look at beer-making with a visit to Fine Balance Brewing Company in Kingston’s east end. Groups of up to four can take a guided tour through the on-site brewhouse and learn about their process for crafting beer. This 15-minute tour comes full circle with a visit to their taproom for a tasting. Check out their website for details and to book your visit.

Kingston Food Tours

Start at the Visitor Information Centre

Wednesdays–Sundays

There’s no better way to get acquainted with Kingston’s famous food scene than to join a delicious Kingston Food Tour. Offered Wednesdays through Sundays, the Classic Kingston tour takes you on a stroll through the limestone streets of downtown and into restaurants and shops, tasting hand-picked dishes and learning local history along the way. For a different flavour, check out the Tapas Tour on Fridays and Saturdays, in which small plates are paired with alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverages. Read our feature on Kingston Food Tours to get the inside scoop.

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises: dining cruises

Depart from Crawford Wharf

Daily; April 18–fall

If you enjoy a good view while you eat, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises brunch, lunch, and sunset dinner cruises are a must-try. Take in stunning views of the 1000 Islands aboard the Island Queen while enjoying a three-course plated lunch or brunch or take to the river aboard the glass-topped Island Star for a sunset dinner cruise. On top of unbeatable vistas, all cruises include live music and a full-service bar. Read our story to check out what it’s like to dine on board. Check out the Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises website for details and bookings.

Bonus:

Brunch at Academy Food + Drink

285 King St.

Try featured items from Academy’s new spring menu while listening to a three-piece jazz band at the Easter Brunch on April 20, enjoy breakfast for dinner with specialty cocktails at Sunset Brunch on May 3 & 31, or treat your mom to Mother’s Day Brunch on May 11. More details will be available soon. Follow their Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on these upcoming events.

May 5, 2025May 13, 2025

Mocktail May launches in downtown Kingston

This May, take a stroll around downtown Kingston and visit these local businesses serving mocktails with eclectic flavour profiles—from coconut strawberry to cucumber.

During Downtown Kingston’s Mocktail May, pick up your “Mocktail Passport” at any of the participating businesses, order the signature mocktail featured on this list, and receive a sticker on your passport. Once you’ve collected five stickers, submit a picture of your passport to the Downtown Kingston website for the chance to win a $500 Downtown Kingston gift card, an overnight stay in a downtown accommodation, and 2 K-Passes, allowing you to experience a 1000 Islands Cruise, the hop-on hop-off trolley tour, and the city’s museums.

Mocktail May ends May 31 so visit these businesses and order their alcohol-free beverages soon!

Olivea – Aperitivo Spritz

39 Brock Street

This authentic Italian restaurant has created a refreshing mocktail to enjoy on their patio overlooking Springer Market Square. Olivea’s Aperitivzo Spritz includes Bella Aperitif, Cordoniu Zero, sparkling wine, and soda.

Something in the Water Brewing Co. – Golden Gale mocktail

275 Princess Street

Step into this local brewery decorated with colourful wall art and neon signage to enjoy their Golden Gale while watching a hockey game. The mocktail—infused with Earl Grey tea, maple syrup, and apple cider—is perfect if you’re looking for a sweeter drink to enjoy on a spring day.

Bar Mayla – Cloud Nine

343 King Street East

To go with their tapas (made with local produce and poultry), Bar Mayla created a fruit-forward beverage for May. Their Cloud Nine mocktail is infused with a berry shrub, lime, vanilla, egg whites, and hibiscus tea—the perfect drink to complement your table’s small plate of street corn nachos and chicken empanadas.

Union Kitchen + Cocktails – Cucumber Crush

184 Princess Street

Union Kitchen + Cocktails has added another mocktail to their eclectic drink menu to satisfy customers’ taste buds. Their refreshing Cucumber Crush includes cucumber, lime juice, maple syrup, mint leaves, and egg whites. Union recently updated their menu to include Italian fare so stop by the local restaurant this weekend to try their new dishes and drinks.

Black Dog Tavern – Ginger & Juice

69 Brock Street

This local establishment (featuring a secret back patio) created a mocktail to go along with their French-inspired dishes like steak frites and duck cassoulet. Served in a frosty glass, their Ginger & Juice includes NOA London Dry “gin,” guava, lime, and ginger beer.

Harper’s – Harper’s Refresher

93 Princess Street

Harper’s—a local joint serving classic cheeseburgers and innovative burger creations—is serving their Harper’s Refresher all month long. This bright red drink is garnished with fresh fruit and made with muddled berries, 7 Up, lime, and cranberry juice.

Atomica – Mango Mule

71 Brock Street

A summery spin on the Moscow Mule, Atomica is offering their Mango Mule all month long. Infused with ginger beer, mango & lime juice, and simple syrup.

Dianne’s –

195 Ontario Street

Dianne’s made a drink alluding to the East-Coast-Mexican fusion restaurant’s iconic mermaid logo—the Mermaid Mocktail. This fruity mocktail includes blueberries, soda limonada, guava juice, and lemonade, and is garnished with fresh mint. Enjoy the drink on their patio located next to Confederation Basin or sip on the mocktail inside Dianne’s interior adorned with nautical decor.

Baja Craft Kitchen – Blackberry Thyme Mojito

235 Ontario Street A.

Enjoy Baja’s spin on a mojito, featuring classic ingredients like mint, thyme, and simple syrup, soda, and fresh lime along with juicy blackberries. Wash down your tacos with this fresh mocktail on the Mexican restaurant’s back patio overlooking Kingston’s waterfront.

Tango Nuevo – Bright & Sunny

331 King Street East

This restaurant’s mocktail’s name speaks to its taste, featuring “spiced rum,” pineapple, lime, ginger beer and mint. Pair this refreshing mocktail with Tango Nuevo’s tapas like roasted Brussels sprouts and Thai cod curry.

Symphony Spa & Yoga – Summer Daze

295 Brock Street

The most fruit-forward mocktail on this list, head over to Symphony Spa & Yoga and order the Summer Daze. This local yoga studio, smoothie, and raw bar’s mocktail includes orange juice, guava juice, lemon juice, raspberry, blueberry, and sparkling water. After grabbing your Summer Daze, take a short walk to Confederation Basin and enjoy your alcohol-free beverage by the waterfront.

AquaTerra – Coconut Strawberry Lemonade

1 Johnson Street

Both indulgent and fresh, creamy and fruity, AquaTerra’s coconut strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink to sip on as spring gives way to summer. The fine-dining establishment’s mocktail features local ingredients like muddled strawberries alongside lemon juice, simple syrup, lemonade & coconut water, soda, and a strawberry garnish. Enjoy the lemonade on their patio or interior that boasts panoramic views of the water.

The Bank at The Frontenac Club – Arnold Gets Roasted

225 King Street

Another spin on a classic cocktail, this gastro-bar created a smokey and fresh drink to enjoy inside their blue-accented interior. Akin to an Arnold Palmer, Arnold Gets Roasted mocktail includes roasted black tea leaves and lemon juice and is crowned with a crunchy lemon Earl Grey sugar rim, fresh mint, and dehydrated lemon.

May 4, 2025May 13, 2025

Pottery. Prints. Art galleries. Local makers. Discover local art in Kingston.

Kingston is an artistic city. Read on to find your next stop to shop for local art in Kingston, plus upcoming events and exhibits.

Pottery

Black Dog Pottery

58 Queen St.

Open: Mon.–Fri., 10 am–5 pm

Take a walk over to Queen Street to shop for handmade porcelain and stoneware pottery by local artist and owner Marc Lemieux at Black Dog Pottery. He has been making pottery in downtown Kingston for 25 years. You’ll find a variety of kitchenware items, art pieces to display, and more. If you see a cute black dog while you’re there, that’s Pepper, the black dog that gives Black Dog Pottery its name.

A Girl And Her Puppy Pottery Studio

1786 Bath Rd. Unit 8

Open: Tues.–Fri., noon–6 pm

Looking to take part in some pottery classes? Take part in a two-hour hand building and throwing classes, two-hour children pottery classes (for ages 7–12), or other classes and bring home a piece of art. Only interested in shopping? Here, you’ll find everything from garden and home items that elevate your space to jewelry and pet products you and your furry friend will fall in love with, all crafted right in their Kingston studio.

Art galleries

Gallery Raymond

334 Princess St.

Open: Mon.–Fri., 9:30 am–5:30 pm & Sat.,10 am–5 pm

For decades, Gallery Raymond has been the spot to go for framing services, purchasing or renting local art, and art exhibitions. The gallery boasts a large commercial gallery representing local artists and a selection of over 400 works of art. Next time you visit downtown Kingston, stop in and find a unique art piece, or attend their next art exhibition to see a new artist’s work and meet the artist. Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on upcoming exhibitions.

Martello Alley

203 B Wellington St.

Open: Daily, 10 am–5 pm

One of Kingston’s hidden gems, Martello Alley is an art gallery-themed historic alley in downtown Kingston. As you make your way through this unique gallery, you will find work by more than 20 local artists, including paintings, postcards, pottery, jewelry, and more. While you’re browsing in the alley, take a look at the ground. Notice anything? The ground is covered in brick, but not real bricks: each brick was painted on by the owner, David Dossett.

And, if you didn’t find a piece that spoke to you, head over to their newest location, Martello on Brock (66 Brock St.), to find more local artwork (only a three-minute walk from Martello Alley).

Other art finds

General Brock’s Commissary

55 Brock St.

Open: Tues.–Sat., 10 am–5 pm & Sun., noon–4 pm

Find items inspired by history and heritage at General Brock’s Commissary. The shop showcases and sources local products in Ontario, including products by Oscardo Canadian Indigenous Art Gifts. From fashion and travel accessories to home and kitchen items, you’ll find creative art to wear and display. In-store you’ll also find their War of 1812 gallery. Be sure to ask about these pieces while you’re shopping to get a mini art gallery tour.

When the weather is warmer, you might even find local artist Joanne Gervais working on a new creation outside the store.

Something Else Records

207A Wellington St.

Open: Mon.–Sat., 11 am–6 pm & Sun. noon–4 pm

At Something Else Records, in addition to a wide selection of music, you’ll also find posters, prints, and hand-painted cards created by local artists. Check them out in-store and online.

The VIC makers section

209 Ontario St.

Open: Sun.–Wed., 10 am–5 pm & Thurs.–Sat., 10 am–6 pm

Make sure to check out the makers’ section at the Visitor Information Centre. They feature a variety of local makers in their shop. Stay tuned for new makers being featured at the VIC by following Visit Kingston on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus: upcoming art events

Find more local art at these upcoming events:

Art Threads: Kingston Fibre Artists exhibition at the Tett Centre: Apr. 5–27, 10 am–5 pm
Kingston Potters’ Guild Spring Sale at the Tett Centre: Apr. 1–4
The BIG Art Show at the Tett Centre: May 2, 6–10 pm; May 3, 11 am–5 pm; May 4, 11 am–4 pm
Gunguo Sculpture Farm at 1414 Unity Rd.: May 9–11, 14–19, 21–24, & 29–31
Art After Dark in Downtown Kingston: May 23, 7–10 pm

May 4, 2025May 15, 2025

A guide to museums & historic sites in Kingston

With more than 20 museums and historic sites, Kingston offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities. Here are a few to get you started.

Visit Kingston with $100+ on us! Book a package at select hotels in Kingston and receive up to $200 to explore the rich history of Kingston, Canada’s first capital.

History & Heritage

Bellevue House National Historic Site

35 Centre St.

At the newly re-opened Bellevue House National Historic Site, experience history, engage, and reflect while you take in the complex story of Sir John A. Macdonald from various viewpoints. Take a self-guided tour or any of their three guided tours: Bellevue, in Brief; Keeping Up Appearances; and Unpacking Macdonald. For more information about Bellevue House tours, please visit their website.

Open: Thurs.–Mon., 10 am–5 pm, starting May 17

Fort Henry National Historic Site

1 Fort Henry Dr.

Fort Henry was built from 1832 to 1837 to replace an existing fortification from the War of 1812 era. The site served as a military fortress during the War of 1812 and later as a barracks for British troops. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into Canada’s past. With its impressive limestone walls, military demonstrations, and scenic views of Lake Ontario, Fort Henry is a must-see destination for history buffs and families.

A museum for anyone interested in military history and families who will enjoy live demonstrations.

Open: Daily, 10 am–5 pm, starting May 17

Canada’s Penitentiary Museum

555 King St. West

Appropriately located in the former Warden’s residence across the street from the Kingston Pen, Canada’s Penitentiary Museum has many unexpected facts about Canada’s Corrections system. Expect to see confiscated weapons, officer regalia, and works of art created by inmates.

A museum for anyone interested in criminology, Canadian history, or just unusual places and experiences.

Open: Daily 9 am–4 pm, starting May 1

Frontenac County Schools Museum

414 Regent St., Barriefield Village

Perfect for students who want a true throwback to the past; experience educational life in the early 1900s through displays of school textbooks, artifacts, memorabilia and photographs. There’s even a schoolroom stocked with slates and wooden desks! See upcoming events and closures for class visits on the museum’s website.

A museum for those interested in the educational system, lifelong learners, or those who want to learn more about Kingston’s history.

Open: starting May 9

Original Hockey Hall of Fame

1350 Gardiners Rd.

Fittingly located on the second floor of the INVISTA Centre, the Original Hockey Hall of Fame is filled with interesting facts and artifacts. The hall contains items like jerseys from Canadian hockey greats Wayne Gretzky, Rocket Richard, and Gordie Howe as well as Kingston-specific exhibits on hometown favourites like Doug Gilmour and Jayna Hefford. A museum for hockey fans and sports lovers.

Open: Thurs – Sun, noon – 6 pm

Queen’s University Archives

Kathleen Ryan Hall, 50A Arch St.

The Queen’s Archives holds collections of manuscripts, photographs, genealogical resources, and more. Registration is required for new researchers. A museum for researchers and anyone wanting to learn more about the history of Kingston.

Open: Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Natural History

Miller Museum of Geology

36 Union St.

This museum features a collection of the Earth’s rocks, minerals, and fossils (including a dinosaur exhibit with a fossil dig box), an overview of the geological history of the Kingston area, and exhibits about the oldest known animal fossils. You’ll love their newest exhibit featuring an Augmented Reality Sandbox display (perfect for kids who want to get their hands dirty!) Instructor-led educational programs presented in the Dr. Richard Milne Geo-science Education Classroom are available to pre-book for school groups, summer camp groups, and any other group of 10–30 people. Contact the museum by email at MillerMuseum@queensu.ca for more information.

A museum for geology lovers, mineral collectors, and those interested in the study of the Earth.

Open: Mon – Fri, 9 am – 4:30 pm

MacLachlan Woodworking Museum

2993 Highway 2 E

Housed in an 1855 log cabin, this one-of-a-kind museum offers “hands-on history” with woodworking and other workshops for visitors of all ages. Visit their website at https://www.woodworkingmuseum.ca/events-programs for a complete list of activities and registration details.

A kid-friendly museum for creators who love hands-on experiences.

Open: Currently open only for scheduled workshops and events. See their website for registration details.

Great Lakes Museum & S.S. Keewatin

55 Ontario St.

Home to an artifact collection of over 4,000 objects and art, expect to find a broad range of instruments, tools, and equipment used by mariners and shipbuilders. There’s also a photo collection that includes images documenting ships and shipwrecks, the marine industry, shipping company advertising, and more. Small groups can also sign up for the Shipwrights game, a partnership between the museum and Improbable Escapes.

S.S. Keewatin is now open. Located at the Great Lakes Museum, this Titanic-era ship is a new attraction offering tours daily. The Passenger Experience, the Engine Room Experience, and the Combination Tour. On these tours, you’ll explore the decks, cabins, first-class accommodations, and the steamed powered engine of the historic Great Lakes steamship. Book ahead online.

A museum for marine lovers, sailors, and anyone interested in the story of Kingston and the Great Lakes.

Open: Mon – Sun, 10 am – 5 pm (S.S. Keewatin tours start May 11)

Science & Technology

Military Communications & Electronics Museum

95 Craftsman Blvd

If you haven’t been to this museum, you’ll be surprised by how large it is. Explore displays that showcase military communications and the development and application of communications technology. One of the museum’s newest exhibitions, Below! Norad’s Underground Fortresses, highlights the engineering, computer technology, and operational history of the Cold War. The museum also offers two interactive games (in partnership with Improbable Escapes) that lead small groups through the exhibits in search of clues.

A museum for those interested in the Canadian military and communications technology.

Open: Mon – Fri, 10 am – 3:30 pm

PumpHouse

23 Ontario St.

Housed in one of Canada’s oldest waterworks, which provided running water to Kingston residents in the 1850s, this eye-catching museum offers a mix of old and new. Stunning old pumps and model train displays fill the space. The newest interactive exhibit, Dinosaurs Among Us, shares the connection between dinosaurs and birds and features dinosaur fossils, a prehistoric ostrich skull, and full raptor casts. See upcoming special events and programming on their website.

A kid-friendly museum for anyone interested in science, engineering, and technology.

Open: Tues – Sat, 10 am – 5 pm

Museum of Health Care

32 George St.

Appropriately located in the Ann Baillie Building, a former residence for student nurses, the Museum of Health Care explores medical innovations in the 1800s, the influence of electricity in health care, and an inside look at the history of Kingston General Hospital. The museum has a number of exhibits and activities specifically for kids.

A museum for anyone interested in medicine.

Open: Wed – Fri, 10 am – 4 pm

To explore more museums in Kingston and area visit www.kingstonmuseums.ca.

Murney Tower Museum

2 King St. W.

Built in 1846, Murney Tower is part of a series of fortifications, Kingston’s Martello towers, that were constructed in response to the Oregon Crisis. In 1925 it reopened as the Murney Tower Museum and is now open to the public for guided tours and visitation. This year, Murney Tower celebrate its 100th anniversary. See our story, A sentinel of history and heritage: the Murney Tower Museum to learn more about the Murney Tower Museum.

May 3, 2025May 15, 2025

Discover local beverages in Kingston

Check out these locally made, roasted, brewed, and blended beverages from small businesses in and around Kingston.

Carbonated beverages

The County Bounty artisanal soda

County Bounty sodas are made in Napanee, just west of Kingston. These lightly carbonated, lightly sweetened sodas use locally grown fruits and herbs in delightful combinations, like strawberry and basil, sour cherry and mint, and foraged botanicals. Find them in Kingston at Daughter’s General Store, The Everly Restaurant, Improbable Escapes, Juniper Café, Old Farm Fine Foods, The Screening Room, The Silly Yak, and Otter Creek Kitchen.

Mohawk Soda

The Indigenous-owned small company in nearby Deseronto creates delicious sodas using traditional ingredients. Flavours include strawberry sweetgrass, orange maple, and blueberry sweetgrass “sumac-ade.” Find these sodas in Kingston at the Visitor Information Centre.

Two of Kingston’s breweries also make non-alcoholic beverages:
Spearhead Brewing Company makes Akwa, a sparkling hop-infused botanical water. You can also find it at The Screening Room, Tara Natural Foods, and Pan Chancho.

Something in the Water Brewing Company offers sparkling hop water in three flavours: lime, berry, and peach. You can also find them at the Visitor Information Centre.

Patriam

Patriam’s Lemon Ginger Sparkling Americano is a canned coffee made with all-natural ingredients, fresh juices, and locally roasted organic coffee. The fun and vibrant packaging you see on the cans was created by a local artist. Head to Patriam tucked inside Fine Balance Brewing at 677 Innovation Dr. Unit 4 to try one in person.

Stay tuned for the three flavours Patriam is adding this spring, including a decaf version of our original flavour and iced tea.

Coffee

Cooke’s Fine Foods

Cooke’s coffee blends can be found in many local restaurants. Some venues – Chez Piggy, the Frontenac Club, and Days on Front – have their own signature Cooke’s coffee blend. You can sample these blends with your restaurant meal or take home a pound of beans or ground coffee from Cooke’s Fine Foods on Brock Street, where it is roasted in-house.

North Roast Coffee Roaster

Kingston’s North Roast offers a variety of fair trade, organic, and micro lot coffee, roasted on site and packaged in 100% compostable bags. They offer free delivery in Kingston and online shipping elsewhere. You can also pick up grinders and other coffee accessories.

County Roasters

From Picton comes County Roasters, a family-run micro coffee roaster that offers organic and ethically sourced coffee beans. In Kingston, you can find their beans at Old Farm Fine Foods and General Brock’s Commissary.

Tea

Cha Cha Tea

Cha Cha Tea offers a wide variety of high-quality looseleaf tea, from traditional black and oolong teas to green and herbal teas to seasonal blends. If you need advice on what kind of tea to get, talk to Kaoru, a certified tea sommelier.

Kebaonish

Kebaonish is an Indigenous- and woman-led coffee and tea company in nearby Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Kebaonish offers seven tea blends inspired by the Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather Teachings: honesty, love, respect, wisdom, truth, humility, and bravery. In Kingston, enjoy a cup of Kebaonish tea at Pedal Works Café, or pick up a package of tea bags to take home at Cha Cha Tea.

Juniper Cafe

Check out the locally inspired tea blends at both of Juniper Cafe’s locations. They include Breakfast in Kingston, Limestone city chai, and Queen’s rooibos.

Apple cider

Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

Hall’s Apple Market in Brockville offers its apple cider (in addition to other apple goodies) at the Kingston Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market every Sunday.

Kingston Public Market

Baycrest Farms near Picton offers apple cider at the Kingston Public Market Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Beer

Kingston breweries

Kingston is also home to several amazing breweries. Discover local brews on-site and at local restaurants. Learn more about Kingston beers.

April 1, 2025May 5, 2025

HomeGrown Live Music Festival 2025

Celtic, folk, country, and blues. Jazz, hip hop, electronic, and classical. If you’re a music fan, HomeGrown Live has just the show for you on May 3.

With 145 performances at 17 venues, all on one day, it’s safe to say that HomeGrown Live Music Festival has something for every type of music fan.

Since 2008, HomeGrown Live has organized thousands of live performances across Kingston. It all happens on one day every May. And proceeds from the HomeGrown Live Music Festival go to a very special local cause: Joe’s Music Mill, Kingston’s musical instrument lending library.

Festival wristbands are available for $10: you can get yours at any one of the festival’s 17 venues on the day of the festival. And with that wristband, you get access to as many of the HomeGrown Live events you can take in one day.

If you’re a jazz fan, Renaissance (285 Queen St.) is the place to be on May 3. Performances start at 11 am with The Saxobelles. There’s a new band every hour on the hour, with Psychic Mojo taking the stage at 8 pm.

The RCHA Club (193 Ontario St.) is the home of the blues in Kingston. For HomeGrown Live, it hosts a variety of local artists starting at 2 pm and going until midnight.

Over at Something in the Water, (275 Princess St.) they’ll have two hours of comedy starting at 7 pm. Then hip hop starts at 9 pm with S-cape Artist, with new acts performing every 20 minutes until 11 pm.

From 2 to 9 pm, The Caesar Company (177 Princess St.) hosts a variety of talented folk artists.

And if you want a little bit of everything, the Royal Tavern 2.0 (344 Princess St.) hosts a mixed bag of musical acts, from grunge to power pop and ending the evening with Sweet Cheetah, an ’80s-inspired cover band that will get everyone on the dance floor.

There’s also classical, ambient-electronic, Celtic, country, and more. Check out the full lineup on the HomeGrown Live website.