Spring is in the air and that means the return of Kingston favourites like trolley tours and 1000 Islands cruises, plus a new museum exhibition, Earth Day inspiration, and lots of live music.
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. Kingston Botanical Market
Admission by donation (supports the Kingston Humane Society)
Looking for a fun, outdoor experience this March? How about one with a sweet treat as well? Maple Madness returns this March to Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. This family-friendly event invites visitors to explore the maple sugar bush, learn how maple syrup is made, and enjoy freshly made pancakes with warm maple syrup.
Celebrating a seasonal favourite
In March, as temperatures begin to rise, sap begins to flow in maple trees. This signals the start of maple syrup season. For more than 40 years, Cataraqui Conservation has held Maple Madness in March. The conservation area’s demonstration sugar bush offers you the opportunity to get outdoors and see first-hand how maple syrup is made from tree sap. Both historic and modern methods of sap collection and syrup making are demonstrated.
After you explore the sugar bush, head over to the Outdoors Centre for face-painting and maple-themed crafts and displays. And of course, don’t forget to stop at the sugar shack, where you can purchase pancakes with warm syrup.
Maple Madness runs every weekend in March and every day during March Break (March 10–14) from 9 am to 4 pm. Online registration for Maple Madness 2025 is required, and there is an entrance fee of $5.25 for adults, and $3.75 for children.
New for 2025, Cataraqui Conservation will offer bus transportation on selected days, for those without cars. Details will be posted on the Maple Madness webpage when they are confirmed.
Much more this March
If you are planning a March Break trip to Kingston, check out our family packages for overnight stays, including a Maple Madness family package at the Holiday Inn Express Kingston Central. And learn about March of the Museums, offering a huge variety of free kid-friendly activities and exhibitions at local museums, galleries, and historic sites.
Looking for more maple in your life? Check out Mio Gelato’s March Kingstonlicious special, featuring two pints of Maple Madness gelato for $25. It’s made with local maple syrup and homemade maple cookie crunch. And every Sunday at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market this month, Salmon River Sugar Bush offers snow maple taffy for just $4. Learn more about Kingstonlicious.
Kingston offers lots of family-friendly things to see and do over March Break. From visiting a sugar bush to tackling an escape room, exploring a museum to taking in a game, March Break means fun in Kingston.
1641 Perth Rd. (Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area)
Maple Madness will run every weekend in March and throughout the week of March Break. Activities include self-guided sugar bush tours, wagon rides, pancakes at the sugar shack, face painting, and maple-themed crafts and games. Online registration is required (entrance fee the day of is $5.25 for adults, $3.75 for children). See website for more event details and activities.
Enjoy a week-long festival of museums in Kingston. This free event runs March 10–14, with 14 local museums, galleries, and historic sites offering family-friendly activities.Learn about the history of Kingston, get creative with crafts, enjoy shows and presentations, and have fun! This year, special guests will be at selected sites, teaching guests how to grow an Indigenous garden,make a puppet, or take part in an Indigenous language lesson.
For added fun, try to “Find the Ducks” from March 10 to 14 (during each location’s hours of operation). There are 35 green ducks hiding at various sites. Once you’ve found the green ducks, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with @kingstonmuseums on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Now until March 31, share a special meal with friends: explore the new Kingstonlicious menus at 35+ participating restaurants, cafés, breweries, and markets.
500 Gardiners Rd. Unit 12A (Wonderland & Board Game Café)
Improbable Escapes offers in-person and online escape rooms. At Improbable Escapes, enjoy indoor, outdoor, and online escape room experiences. Try Seven Dwarfs: Mining Mission in-person (family-friendly for all ages) or The Triwizard Trials online (family-friendly for all ages) for a harder escape room experience. See their website for more escape rooms and details.
Practise your climbing skills at The Boiler Room, Kingston’s indoor rock-climbing gym. This space has different options for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to Olympian-level climbers. The types of climbing available include auto-belays, top rope with off-harness belaying, and lead climbing. If you like your experience and want to do more, check out their kids and teens program and personal training.
Open: Mon. – Fri. (10 am – 11 pm), Sat. and Sun. (9 am – 9 pm)
At Splitsville, enjoy 10-pin bowling, a new arcade, and a full-service bar and lounge. Its fun and energetic atmosphere makes this a great spot to gather with friends and family to play some games this March Break. Reserve a bowling lane online and get ready for some friendly competition!
Enjoy Kingston’s trampoline park with your kids this March Break. Jump together on the main court, challenge each other on the dunk court and the dodgeball court, and take your little ones to the kiddie court. On Friday nights, enjoy lights and music plus a free drink during JR Xtreme night 7 – 9 pm (kids under 12) and Xtreme night 9 – 11 pm (12+).
Cheer on the Kingston Frontenacs on March 12 and 14 at Slush Puppie Place. Watch Kingston’s local hockey team as they play against the Ottawa 67s and the Peterborough Petes. Find more information and tickets on their website. Follow the Kingston Frontenacs on Instagram to stay updated on special events/happenings during their games.
Go on a 75-minute March Break ghost tour, including the original haunted walk of Kingston March 8 – 16 (7 pm). Take a guided stroll through Kingston and learn about the spooky history and stories about each location (hotels, courtyards, and burial grounds). See more details on their website.
Enjoy a one-hour guided trolley tour (no stops) through downtown Kingston covering all of the city’s historic old town and downtown shopping district. Tours begin from 209 Ontario St. on March 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 11 am and 1 pm. See ticket option on their website.
Bring the kiddos to a morning of Bluey-filled fun at The Rocking Horse on March 10 at 8:30 am. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and crafts. Kids will get the chance to make their own Queen or King Crown, participate in fun games, and snap a photo with their favourite character, Bluey. Registration is required. See their Facebook event for more details.
Gather the family and head to The Fun Zone to play arcade games, laser tag, virtual reality, and basketball, or explore their indoor play structure built for children (ages 3 – 10). A food counter is available to fuel up with a cold drink or snacks so you can continue playing. Find pricing for all activities on their website.
March of the Museums offers fun learning activities for kids and parents at Kingston and area museums, galleries, and historic sites during March Break. From March 10 to 14, these sites offer free admission and special activities.
“March of the Museums celebrates the incredible range of cultural heritage narratives and experiences available within Kingston and area,” says Jamie McKenzie-Naish of Kingston and Area Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites. “This weeklong festival is free and offers a variety of play-based and hands-on activities that families can enjoy and explore together. This is the eighth year of March of Museums; new offerings this year include ‘Grow your own Indigenous Garden’ with Lodge Pole Arts Alliance and puppet-making workshops with the Paddling Puppeteers.”
Here are just some of the activities taking place around Kingston.
This museum offers plenty of hands-on activities and special demonstrations over March Break. Kids can try out different types of communications tools, get creative with signal-themed crafts and colouring stations, and explore the on-site dress-up station. Also on site will be the RMC Museum, with more crafts and activities, and the Kingston Scout Museum, with knot-tying, cub car racing, and displays. The museum will also have different special guest activities every day of March Break, from an Indigenous Languages Workshop with Kahwá:tsire Programs to a puppet-making workshop with Paddling Puppeteers.
For fun rock and fossil-related crafts and displays, make sure to check out the Miller Museum of Geology. As part of its regular programming, the museum also has displays of rocks, minerals, ores, and fossils (including dinosaurs) and activations such as an augmented reality sandbox and a dinosaur fossil dig box. On Thursday, March 13, special guests from LodgePole Arts Alliance will teach you how to grow an Indigenous garden and make your own seed ball.
Both the Paddling Puppeteers and LodgePole Arts Alliance will be at different sites throughout the week.
This museum offers a fun learning activity for kids, who are invited to create their own top secret “X-ray” message or a DIY robot hand, all while learning about the role of X-rays in health care.
Murney Tower Museum will also have activities at the Museum of Health Care over the week. Visitors can create their own military medal or make a royal crown while learning about the history of the Murney Tower Museum, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
If you are planning a March Break trip to Kingston, check out our family packages for overnight stays, including March of the Museums family packages at Delta Hotel Kingston Waterfront and Hampton Inn by Hilton.
Kingston isn’t just the host city for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF). Kingston is also the setting for some of the stories on screen.
“Between all the limestone buildings, the waterfront, and all the landmarks and features in the area, Kingston has so much to offer filmmakers looking for an interesting location to shoot,” says Tourism Kingston’s Film and Media Officer Joanne Loton. “Kingston can pull off a lot of different looks throughout the decades. It’s a great spot for filmmakers who want to add a lot of production value without having to travel far.”
Check out this selection of films to see the city and local actors and artists in action at KCFF25.
Members of a rock band attempt to patch up a nasty breakup with a weekend in a secluded South Frontenac cottage. What could go wrong? Branded to Film’s Doom Boogie blends together hard rock with grizzly action in a high-tension thriller.
As well as being shot locally, Doom Boogie also stars local musicians Ciara Roberts of Tiny Horse and Jonah Lewis-Anthony of The Wilderness. Catch the late show on March 1 at 10 pm at the Grand Theatre.
Lovers of local music will want to add Still Alive in Kingston to their watch list. Former Much Music VJ Bill Welychka stars as a fictionalized version of himself, as an entertainment journalist looking to rebuild himself in a new community and gain national prominence. While building a demo reel, Bill connects with a wide roster of local talent, capturing performances from artists including The Wilderness, Keaton, Luella, and Miss Emily.
Contrasting the scenic harbourfront views of Kingston with interior spaces, director Jennifer Law-Smith explores the meanings of solitude in her new short film Dry Land. The film offers a unique visual study of Kingston through comparison and juxtaposition.
After taking home the award for Best Local Short at KCFF23, Kingston/PEC-based filmmaker, writer, and artist Naomi Okabe returns to the festival for the world premiere of In Good Hands. In this 45-minute documentary, Okabe profiles six people who have challenged gender and societal norms in their career paths, including beekeeping, flower farming, and cattle breeding.
Director and former Kingstonian Blain Watters returns to town to share Single Woman Seeking Child. This deeply personal short film tells the story of Watters’ mother in early-1980s Kingston as she pursues her dream of having a child. This intimate tale of motherhood is presented with plenty of humour and a lot of Kingston flavour.
Single Woman Seeking Child airs before the feature Still Alive in Kingston.
KCFF’s longstanding tradition of platforming local short films continues in its 25th season. This showcase of nine shorts is packed with variety, from a backwoods thriller to an intimate drama to a nightmarish conversation with Canada Revenue Agency. Head over to the Baby Grand on March 1 to see the complete selection.
Experience the future of Canadian film at the Baby Grand during this year’s 18 MM Showcase. 18 MM is an innovative program that provides filmmakers ages 18 and under with film training and support to make their own films. Now in its second year, the showcase features 11 diverse films. Check out the full list and order your tickets on the KCFF website.
Now in its fifth year, the Slaight Music Video program connects Kingston musicians with local filmmakers to create music videos. On March 1, the latest batch of music videos from this popular program will be screened in a special event at the Grand Theatre. Catch new videos from Kasador, Savannah Shea, The Gertrudes, Almond Milk, and seven local musical artists. Stick around after the screening and vote for your favourite video.
For tickets to all these events, check out the KCFF website.
From Maple Madness and March of the Museums to the return of Kingston Trolley Tours, there’s so much to see, do, and experience in Kingston this March.
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. March of the Museums
2. Kingstonlicious signature events
3. Cirque du Soleil: OVO
4. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
5. Kingston Trolley Tour
6. Guided sauna experience
7. Tribute to GREASE and the music of the ’50s and ’60s
8. Classic Kingston Food Tour
9. Queeraoke
10. Explore 35+ Kingstonlicious prix fixe menus
11. Thermotherapy spa experience
12. The Celtic Kitchen Party – a St. Patrick’s Event
13. Ojibwe language Star Wars: A New Hope (with English subtitles)
14. Champions of Magic: Chasing the Unbelievable
15. Explore Canadian military history
16. Live-edge charcuterie board workshop
17. Maple Madness
18. Imaginaire – Cello and piano duo
19. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live
20. Cancer Bats
21. Nautical Nights speaker series
22. Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings
23. Scott Owen live
24. Kingston Gets Active
25. Tyffanie’s Silver Jubilee Party: drag show
Events just in
Great Bach Marathon | St. George’s Cathedral Church | Mar. 22, 12:30–4:30 pm
You don’t have to break the bank to get a great meal in Kingston. In fact, you can order a flavourful plate of fresh food for under $15 at multiple stores and restaurants across the city.
This hidden gem tucked away on Wellington Street and run by Sally herself, serves reasonably priced, flavourful roti wraps and curry plates starting at just $12.50.
A Sally’s Roti Shop classic, the doubles are soft curried chickpeas stuffed between two dough patties, and only $3.50 each. If you’re looking for a quick, delicious lunch, order two phulorie for $6.50– pillowy dough balls served with your choice of thick chutney. Both the phulorie and doubles are satisfying dishes.
So, come to this iconic Caribbean shop in the heart of downtown Kingston for tasty food and warm hospitality.
Head to Manoosheh for crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside flatbreads covered in your choice of toppings, starting at just $4.
Manoosheh is a traditional Levantine flatbread resembling a pizza. From salty melted cheese and savoury za’ater to sweet Nutella and soft bananas, there’s a wide selection to choose from.
Beyond their flavourful flatbreads, Manoosheh serves chicken fajitas for $13 and falafel wraps for $10.50. Experience the spices and marinades of the Middle East at Manoosheh today.
Inside Choi’s Roll’s distinctive baby-blue exterior is a small takeout restaurant serving well-priced sushi.
The sushi spot offers six-piece rolls, such as the California roll and salmon roll, both priced at $6. If you’re vegetarian, try their six-piece $5.50 avocado roll.
Want to spice up your sushi order? Try Choi’s Roll’s $13.50 Monster Dynamite sushi, stuffed with deep-fried shrimp, avocado, cucumber, and yams or the $14.50 Gyoza Gyoza Roll, packed with veggie dumplings, sweet mushrooms, cucumbers, and tempera bits. Most of Choi’s Roll’s menu items are under $15!
A charming restaurant with a green and yellow exterior, Sunflower Chinese restaurant serves special combination plates under $15. Each plate features a main dish, like Szechuan beef or sweet & sour chicken balls or shrimp and chicken fried rice, plus a free egg roll.
For more meal deals, check out Sunflower Chinese’s special meal menu. You can order four chicken balls, one spring roll, and chicken fried rice for under $10.
Aside from their flavourful combination platters and special meals, Sunflower Chinese serves well-priced rice platters and chop suey, a dish loaded with meat, eggs, bean sprouts, cabbage, and a thick sauce.
Each dish at Sindibad combines an abundance of spices and sweet marinades to create a delicious culinary experience.
Sindibad’s flatbreads are topped with a variety of meats, cheeses, and za’atar, priced at $3.99 to $5.99 each.
If you want a heartier lunch packed with pickles, salad, rice, chicken, tahini, and garlic sauce, try their chicken shawarma platter for $12.49. They offer their tender chicken shawarma in a wrap for $8.49. Finish off your lunch at Sindibad with buttery, sugary baklava, just $3.99 for four pieces.
Sindibad’s affordable and rich flavours make this small Kingston restaurant a worthwhile spot.
You can customize your own mini pizza for $10.97 at one of Score Pizza’s two locations in Kingston.
Score Pizza offers customers a variety of sauces, cheeses, meats, and vegetables to load their personal pizzas with. After your pizza is doused in colourful toppings, it’s loaded into Score’s woodfire oven. Watch as the savoury cheese melts atop the fresh dough.
Score Pizza also makes signature pies such as the K-Town, served with red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, and mushrooms; or the Great White North, topped with garlic cream sauce, asiago, mozzarella, Italian sausage, mushrooms, caramelized onions, crushed garlic, and arugula.
Whether you make your own pizza or indulge in one of their signature creations, you’ll be satisfied by Score Pizza’s abundance of flavour.
House of Donair’s menu items are under $15 and pack a flavourful punch.
The Lebanese restaurant’s soft potatoes with creamy garlic sauce are a must-try, as are their pitas filled with donair meat, tomato, onion and sweet sauce. Depending on your hunger levels, order a small for $9.49, regular for $11.49, or large for $12.49.
Try the Donair Plate served on a bed of fresh- cut fries. The regular size goes for $11.49, while the large size is priced at $14.49. House of Donair also offers satiating options for vegetarians, such as their $13.49 Veggie Plate, featuring those to-die-for garlic potatoes.
You’re sure to leave House of Donair with your stomach (and wallet) full.
Bubba’s $8.85 Quebec-style poutine with thick, flavourful gravy, cheese curds, and fresh- cut fries is the perfect late-night meal. And the delicious Canadian classic won’t make a large dent in your bank account.
Bubba’s serves up their poutine in a variety of unique flavours, including gyro and chicken bacon, priced at $12.95 each. Most of Bubba’s menu items are under $15, making it the perfect spot for those who want tasty food for cheap.
Craving fairly priced, quality sushi? Try Sima Sushi’s lunch specials, served from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm daily.
Their lunch special sushi meals range from $12.95 to $14.95, and each meal features nine to 12 rolls. Plus, all lunch specials include a green salad and bowl of miso soup.
Their meal deals extend to dinner time–the restaurant’s six–piece maxi dishes are under $10.
Whether you’re dining in or ordering take-out, this family-run restaurant won’t disappoint.
This historic Kingston restaurant outfitted with its distinctive blue awning and ’50s-style decor has been serving well-priced, classic diner foods for over 100 years.
Take a seat at one of Morrison’s cozy booths facing Springer Market Square and indulge in a plate of warm buttermilk pancakes with sweet maple syrup, or buttery toast and eggs for under $15.
Morrison’s offers bottomless drip coffee, making the family-run restaurant the perfect place to have your afternoon pick-me-up or an early-morning family brunch.
Stepping inside Pasta Genova’s quaint storefront, you’re transported to a bakery in the heart of Italy, specializing in fresh focaccia, lasagna, and pasta.
With over 35 years of experience creating classic Italian cuisine, Pasta Genova is the perfect place to grab a loaded sandwich made on their homemade focaccia and stuffed with meat or vegetables. Both their sandwiches and focaccia loaf are under $15.
Get a taste of Italy and visit Pasta Genova on your next lunch break.
Walking into this European-style bakery, you’re hit with the aroma of buttery pastries and homemade marinades blended into their tasty to-go meals.
Pan Chancho to-go food items and sandwiches are brightly coloured, tasty, and fresh with most items priced under $15. Try their $9.50 smoked meat sandwich– thinly sliced meat, vegetables, and a dollop of mustard between two pieces of freshly made white bread. They also offer well-priced roast beef, smoked turkey, and vegetarian sandwiches.
Indulge in one of their freshly made pastries like their blueberry scones, crystallized with sugar and loaded with sweet blueberries, and of course, their buttery, crispy croissants.
For a delectable pastry or grab-and-go meal, Pan Chancho has your lunch plans covered.
Hailed as having some of the best shawarma in Kingston, Shawarma Dubai offers up a variety of Syrian and Lebanese flavours.
Their wraps, loaded with freshly cut, seasoned meat, are $12.99. Shawarma Dubai’s heaping plate of potatoes, served with a delicious garlic sauce, are priced at $8.99.
Want to experience the individual taste of their crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the inside, homemade falafel? Try their six-piece $8.99 falafel dish.
Located on Princess just below Bagot Street, Pho Chopstix offers their signature noodles immersed in seasoned broth, topped with green onions and tender meat for $11.95.
Pho Chopstix has a small, but versatile menu featuring quality ingredients. Their selection of pho come topped with your choice of rare beef, spicy rare beef, or tofu and vegetables, and range from $11.95 to $13.50.
Visit Pho Chopstix for delicious Vietnamese dishes today.
Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF) is celebrating its 25th season this year. On top of dozens of Canadian feature films and shorts, the festival has a host of special events, including standup comedy, live music, and in-depth conversations with stars. Here are some highlights of can’t-miss events happening as part of KCFF 25.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the movie: the soundtrack: the tribute concert
The cult classic graphic novel series turned equally cult classic movie comes to life at the Broom Factory with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: the movie: the soundtrack: the tribute concert. Get ready for action-packed live performances from the film’s soundtrack, including songs from Metric, Beck, Frank Black, and more, all set to projected visuals and the occasional musical battle. Fans of indie music and Edgar Wright won’t want to miss out.
Head to the Broom Factory on night three of KCFF for an evening of sharp, dark stand-up with veteran comedy writers Allie Pearse and Olivia Stadler. Allie and Olivia are at the forefront of contemporary Canadian comedy, having written for both Letterkenny and Shoresy and toured nationally with Letterkenny Presents: A Night of Standup Comedy.
Veteran actor and stand-up comedian Jeremy Hotz and his canine companion Shack will be taking to the stage of the Grand Theatre for Très Misérables, his 10th national tour. This brand-new show combining Hotz’s trademark jokes and mishaps, Très Misérables is the show for enthusiasts of both stand-up and emotional support longhair Chihuahuas.
Catch award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and showrunner Carolyn Taylor at the Broom Factory for a late-afternoon conversation and screening of her hit quixotic figure-skating docu-comedy I Have Nothing. Carolyn’s work as a writer and actress in Baroness Von Sketch Show has garnered her critical acclaim. I Have Nothing follows a pair of comedians as they attempt to choreograph a figure skating routine to Whitney Houston’s hit song “I Have Nothing.” This is sure to be a hilarious event.
From his roles in movies like Tropic Thunder, Blackberry, and the How to Train Your Dragon series to his Canadian cult hockey hit Goon and his show We’re All Gonna Die (Even Jay Baruchel), Jay Baruchel is a force in Canadian media and comedy. Head to the Broom Factory for an intimate conversation between Jay Baruchel and host Elamin Abdelmahmoud of CBC Radio’s Commotion as they discuss Canadian comedy, film, and more.
The Backsteps music video produced by JL Creative Agency for the Slaight Music Video Program. (Photo credit: Tyler Healey)
Eleven performers, 11 production companies, and 11 brand-new music videos. The Slaight Music Video Showcase returns to KCFF with an array of fresh videos produced through the Slaight Music Video Program. This showcase includes fresh videos from local artists including Miss Emily, Kasador, The Gertrudes, Luscious, and Savannah Shea. Stick around after the showcase to grab a snack and vote for your favourite video in the Grand Lobby.
As well as being a hugely popular TV series, Murdoch Mysteries has frequently filmed in Kingston, which makes KCFF the perfect host for a behind-the-scenes discussion of the show. Daniel Maslany (actor), Eleanore Lindo (director), and Julie Lacey (producer) take part in a moderated discussion and Q&A session.
If you are interested in getting a glimpse of what the future of Canadian film might look like, you’ll want to check out the 18 MM Showcase. These 11 films represent the culmination of the latest class of the 18 MM program, a course and workshop series that provides filmmakers 18 years old and younger with basic knowledge of the cinematic art and the necessary skills for filmmaking. Ranging from horror to comedy, fantasy to queer and social drama, these films explore themes of self-discovery, friendship, tolerance, mental health, and more.
In classic KCFF style, the festival will wrap up with a special screening. Head to the Kingston Grand Theatre and join special guests Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor, and director Dale Heslip for a screening of Blue Rodeo: Lost Together. This documentary chronicles Blue Rodeo’s four-decades-long journey from their start in the bars of Queen Street in Toronto to their position as one of Canada’s most beloved bands. Make sure to stick around after for a Q&A session with Cuddy, Keelor, and Heslip.
Catching locally produced features
As well as special events, features, and short films, KCFF will also feature films shot in Kingston.
Doom Boogie combines ’70s grindhouse excess with rock and roll in a high-tension thriller; it stars several local musicians in gory roles.
Locally produced feature: Still Alive in Kingston
Still Alive in Kingston tells a mostly fictionalized story of former Much Music VJ and entertainment journalist Bill Welychka as he settles into a post-fame life in Kingston. Still Alive in Kingston is also Director Jay Middaugh’s follow-up to his much-loved film Live in Kingston, and features performances from local artists including The Wilderness, Keaton, Luella, and Miss Emily.
Locally produced feature: Single Woman Seeking Child
Still Alive in Kingston will also be proceeded by a screening of Blain Watters’ Single Woman Seeking Child, a short film shot in Kingston that tells the story of Watters’ mother as she bucks the conservative nature of early-1980s Kingston when she sets out to fulfill her dreams of motherhood (mostly) on her own.
For tickets to all these events, check out the KCFF website.
Kingston boasts a dynamic culinary scene with new restaurants popping up year-round, from high-end dining in newly renovated hotels to quaint and intimate restaurants that pack a big punch. Here are 10 new restaurants in Kingston to add to your 2025 bucket list.
In downtown Kingston, Mercury Lounge serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pub grub. Their menu combines western culinary traditions with Asian flavours inspired by Chef Paulson George’s global culinary journey. Explore different flavours from confit duck and waffle to Korean barbeque short ribs and sambal chicken skewers. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on deals and events.
Must-try: Mercury butter chicken (creamy tomato-cashew sauce, basmati rice, and naan). View their full menu online.
Open: Mon. – Sun. (11 am – 11 pm), lunch special (10:30 am – 3 pm)
Tucked away on Bagot Street, you’ll find Hakka Horizon, an Indo Hakka Chinese, Thai cuisine, and momo restaurant. Savour traditional international flavours in downtown Kingston at this fusion restaurant with a large menu featuring everything from chop suey, fried rice, and dumplings to Thai curry dishes.
Located in the newly renovated Kingston Marriott hotel, Academy Food + Drink offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring a variety of local flavours. From casual meals to social gatherings, you can enjoy any occasion in their refreshing dining space. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on deals and events.
Planning to book a stay? Book a dine on us package at the Marriott during Kingstonlicious and receive a $100 Visa gift card to enjoy Academy Food + Drink’s prix fixe menu.
Must-try: Academy signature chicken wings (seasoned with peri-peri lemon marinade, heirloom carrots and celery, with sriracha honey, hot, honey garlic or BBQ flavour options). View their full menu online.
Sit back and enjoy a beer from a Kingston brewery and a burger made with locally sourced ingredients at Burger 347. This restaurant boasts local connections including Barriefield Market as the sole supplier for all of their meat, poultry, and pork products. Burger 347 gets creative with their burgers: check out their menu and you’ll find adventurous burgers like the not-cho cheesburger, the poutine extreme, and the pickleballer. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook for updates on new burgers and upcoming events.
Must-try: the smokeshow (6 oz. grilled patty, house BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, smoked bacon, onion rings, mayo, shredded lettuce, house pickles on a brioche bun with choice of side). View their full menu online.
Open: Mon. – Wed. (11 am – 9 pm), Thurs. – Fri. (11 am – 10 pm), Sun. (9 am – 9 pm)
The Loaf N’ Ale is a locally owned British pub with a fun atmosphere, perfect for a night out with friends in Kingston’s west end. Enjoy live music events or trivia with a pint and pub fare, including waffle fries, wings, classic Reuben sandwich, and fish and chips. Check their event calendar online for upcoming events.
Must-try: Guinness loaded loafer (house-made beef or veggie patty topped with crispy onion rings, bacon, Swiss cheese, and Guinness BBQ sauce). View their full menu online.
At the newly opened DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston, you’ll find The Cannery Kitchen & Social, a restaurant inspired by Canada’s heritage. Enjoy East Coast-inspired food including baked lobster & crab dip, and seafood chowder with innovative drinks like the Maritime Mule. Whether you’ve booked a stay at their hotel or you’re visiting for an event, be sure to relax and enjoy the delicious offerings at this new restaurant.
Planning to book a stay? Book a dine on us package at the DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston during Kingstonlicious and receive a $100 Visa gift card to enjoy The Cannery Kitchen & Social’s prix fixe menu.
Must-try: Seafood linguini (shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari, red peppers, spinach, garlic, olive oil, shallots, white wine), with cheesecake for dessert. View their full menu online.
Get your fix of Thai and Western flavours at Cat House Chiangmai, a new west-end restaurant. Cat House Chiangmai serves up dishes such as noodles, crispy chicken, pad Thai, spring rolls, curry, and more. Follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates on new offers and specials. Your next bowl of Thai food is waiting for you!
Open: Sun. – Thu. (11 am – 12 am), Fri. and Sat. (11 am – 1 am)
Now open in downtown Kingston in addition to their upper Princess Street location, Chuck’s Roadhouse caters to everyone’s needs with items like the Chuck’s Burger at $9 to items like the filet mignon & lobster tail at $35.99. Chuck’s Roadhouse prides itself on offering affordable items for everyone to enjoy.
Open: Sun. – Thu. (11 am – 9 pm), Fri. & Sat. (11 am – 10 pm)
If you are craving crispy chicken, Mighty Bird has plenty of tasty options. From crispy chicken tenders to a variety of sandwiches, their buttermilk-marinated chicken won’t disappoint. Mighty Bird also offers tacos, salads, fries, sandwiches, and waffles. Follow their Instagram and Facebook for updates on new menu items.
Must-try: The Mighty O.G. (crispy chicken, banana peppers, and slaw, finished with house-made syrup on top of a toasted brioche bun with buttermilk ranch.). View their full menu online.
Are you out shopping in downtown Kingston on Princess Street? Take time to stop for lunch at the new wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant. Enjoy amazing pizza, homemade sauces, and quick service in a welcoming atmosphere at Doughbox Woodfired Pizza and Pasta. Choose the create-your-own-pizza option and load your pizza with all of your favourite toppings.
Must-try: New wood-fired toasted fire’n veg foldy (pesto base, feta cheese, fire-roasted red onions and mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh artichokes, arugula, balsamic glaze). View their full menu online.
Mercury Bar & Lounge, Academy Food & Drink, The Cannery Kitchen & Social, and Burger 347 are all participating in the Kingstonlicious culinary festival running until March 31. View their prix fixe menu offers online.
February 17 is the last day to enjoy Spirit of Winter, the immersive Indigenous art installation on Market Street and Springer Market Square. When planning your visit, bring your skates and take a spin around the public ice rink. You can enjoy even more activities on February 17, including roasting marshmallows and making s’mores at the fire pits, plus enjoy hot chocolate and spiced hot cider courtesy of Kingston Coffee House. Learn more online.
Dine on us with a $100 Visa gift card when you book your Kingston stay through select packages. Use your gift card for a meal out with your family at this month’s Kingstonlicious locations. Enjoy Kingstonlicious specials at local restaurants, cafés, market, and breweries.
Head to the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning for a day filled with fun. Activities include face painting, dance performances, and hands-on activities with Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners, Kingston Potters’ Guild, Kingston Lapidary & Mineral Club (KLMC), Tett creativity studio artists, and Tett artists-in-residence.
Bring the family and cheer on the Kingston Fronts as they go up against the Barrie Colts. Grab some popcorn and your drink of choice and enjoy the game.
Bring your kids and their favourite stuffie for a hands-on experience with crafts and activities. Trained “teddy doctors and nurses” will examine your toys’ bumps and bruises and make them feel better. This is a great activity for kids up to age 10. Time slot registration is required. Book your timeslot online.
Get active this Family Day weekend with recreational activities available across Kingston. Register for gym time, family badminton, spin class, swimming, or family aqua fit at Artillery Park Aquatic Centre (382 Bagot St.). Drop in for skating or family Zumba at the INVISTA Centre (1350 Gardiners Rd.). Enjoy family badminton, basketball, and open gym time at Rideau Heights Community Centre (McCauley St.) or the Kingston East Community Centre (779 Highway 15.). View registration details and times online.
Find a new family game or puzzle
Various locations
You’ll find unique options in Kingston to pick up a new game for the family.
Explore the heart of Kingston while hunting for iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and quirky street art. Grab your camera, follow the clues, and snap creative shots to earn points. From historic sites to tasty treats, every find brings you closer to victory—and prizes! Are you ready to capture the adventure? Stop at the Visitor Information Centre between 1 and 4 pm to participate in the family scavenger hunt.
Join the new restaurant Academy Food + Drink inside Kingston Marriott hotel for a Family Day brunch featuring a four-course shareable menu with a mix of healthy and comforting dishes. Reserve a table between noon and 2:30 pm online.
2025 marks the fifth year of Kingstonlicious, a culinary festival that includes special restaurant menus, signature events, and overnight packages.
Starting February 3, restaurants across Kingston are offering prix fixe menus at a variety of price points, from under $25 to $75. From comfort food and local beer to haute cuisine, local ingredients are showcased on Kingstonlicious menus. In addition, seven vendors at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market will offer Kingstonlicious specials on specific products every Sunday.
To whet your appetite, here’s a sample from the almost 40 new Kingstonlicious menus offered for February.
The Everly’s prix fixe menu showcases local ingredients.
Downtown, The Everly Restaurant & Lounge offers a three-course meal for $40. It features a kale salad (with local kale from Salt of the Earth Farms), an entrée of cheese tortellini with Bolognese sauce, and a vanilla panna cotta for dessert. The Everly is Kingston’s newest Feast On® certified restaurant, signifying its commitment to using Ontario food and beverage products.
Burger 347, one of the city’s newest west-end restaurants, offers a “burger & a bevy” meal for $25. Choose from one of their eight signature burgers, including a black bean burger with plant-based jalepeño mayo and a decadent “poutine extreme” burger topped with St. Albert curds. Add a salad or fries, and choose a beer, glass of wine, or a mocktail for your “bevy.”
In mid-town, Daft Brewing offers two pizzas and a beer for $40 (with dine-in and takeout options). Daft’s signature pizzas include the Slytherin Bite (red sauce, mozzarella, hot calabrese, candied jalapeño, hot honey, and parm) and the Daftly Dill-icious (garlic butter, dill sauce, dill pickle, mozzarella, parm, and dill weed).
Visitors to Kingston can “dine on us” when choosing a Kingstonlicious overnight package. Get a $100 Visa gift card to spend on your Kingstonlicious experience when you book an overnight stay at select accommodations.
The ReelOut Queer Film Festival is set to light up Kingston January 30 to February 8, 2025, both at The Screening Room and the downtown library. This annual event continues to champion inclusivity and representation in the arts.
This year’s festival features 18 programs across 10 days, showcasing over 45 filmmakers, media artists, game designers, and performers from 14 countries. Against the backdrop of challenging times, ReelOut promises a vibrant, welcoming space for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and allies alike, with a focus on uplifting marginalized voices.
“It’s a dark time for a lot of folks in the US and we feel that shadow creeping across the border,” says ReelOut director Matt Salton. “We want to ensure that we are providing audiences with not just solid entertainment, but a place for marginalized communities to immerse themselves in a space created for them. There are 18 different programs that can be seen as 18 different escapes from the threat of the world.”
Kingston’s drag performers—Tyffanie Morgan, Rowena Whey, BeeWitched, BlowPony, and Sherry Anne Hex—will kick off the festival on January 30, taking the stage to deliver musical numbers inspired by iconic motion pictures.
This year’s feature films include To the Moon screening January 31 at 7 pm. The film by Kevin Hartford follows three intertwined journeys of self-discovery. As single father Sam grapples with coming out after decades of hiding, his teenaged daughter Ella navigates challenges at a new school, and their neighbour Claire seeks creative inspiration while reinventing her life.
Under the Influencer is a gripping thriller that explores the exploitation of creative talent and the psychological toll of ambition, screening January 31 at 9:30 pm.
For music lovers, watch We Forgot to Break Up on February 1 at 9:30 pm. It follows a diverse Toronto band, The New Normals, as they channel their struggles into a bold rock sound that challenges societal norms.
Explore the complexities of love, friendship, and personal growth by watching Lakeview on February 7 at 9 pm. A queer friend group navigate old wounds, fresh connections, and shifting dynamics during a divorce celebration weekend.
The festival concludes with a February 8 screening of La Arriera (The Muleteer), a drama set in the highlands of Jalisco in 1930, where teenager Emilia escapes her adoptive family to find freedom and her biological father, disguising herself as a male muleteer amidst the chaos of war.
These feature films will all be shown at The Screening Room. New this year, the ReelOut short films collections will screen at the downtown branch of the Kingston-Frontenac Public Library, from February 3 to 6.
Visit ReelOut’s website for full programming and to purchase tickets.
“ReelOut is always something the Kingston queer community looks forward to each year but keep in mind, the films are queer, our audiences are lovers of independent cinema and want to broaden their horizons. All allies are welcome!” Salton says.
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