Page not found – Visit Kingston https://www.visitkingston.ca Fresh Made Daily Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:46:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.visitkingston.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Page not found – Visit Kingston https://www.visitkingston.ca 32 32 25 Things to do in Kingston in April https://www.visitkingston.ca/25-things-to-do-in-kingston-in-april/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:35:41 +0000 http://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=19181 This April in Kingston we welcome signs of spring including trolley tours, guided walks, live music, 1000 Islands cruises – and the total solar eclipse on April 8.

1. Total solar eclipse

1. Total Solar Eclipse

2. Art After Dark

2. Art After Dark

3. 101 ways to experience an eclipse

3. 101 ways to experience an eclipse

4. Art Threads: exhibition by the Kingston Fibre Artists

4. Art Threads: exhibition by the Kingston Fibre Artists

5. Jinsha: The Journey

5. Jinsha: The Journey

6. Solar Eclipse pancake party

6. Solar Eclipse pancake party

7. Creative Kingston walking tours

7. Creative Kingston walking tours

8. Fort Henry: Eclipse Weekend

8. Fort Henry: Eclipse Weekend

9. Eclipse cruise on the Island Queen

9. Eclipse cruise on the Island Queen

10. Graven

10. Graven

11. Meet the Wheel – pottery wheel workshop

11. Meet the Wheel – pottery wheel workshop

12. Kingston Trolley Tours: City Tour

12. Kingston Trolley Tours: City Tour

13. Kingston Food Tours

13. Kingston Food Tours

14. The Sun, the Moon and Your Body

14. The Sun, the Moon and Your Body

15. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

15. Memorial Centre Farmers' Market

16. RKY Camp summer album release concert

16. RKY Camp Summer Album Release Concert

17. Classic Albums Live: Synchronicity by The Police

17. Classic Albums Live: Synchronicity by The Police

18. Science Magic: Crazy Gadgets

18. Science Magic: Crazy Gadgets

19. Harry Paper et la parodie en carton

19. Harry Paper et la parodie en carton

20. “The Stuff Stories Are Made Of” exhibition

20. Stuff Stories Are Made Of Exhibition

21. Land of Talk

21. Land of Talk

22. Original Haunted Walk of Kingston

22. Original Haunted Walk of Kingston

23. 36 Questions That Lead to Loving Kingston

23. 36 Questions That Lead to Loving Kingston

24. 360 Allstars: urban circus

24. 360 Allstars: urban circus

25. Tchaikovsky Festival

25. Tchaikovsky Festival

 

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13 things to do during March Break 2024 https://www.visitkingston.ca/13-things-to-do-during-march-break-2024/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 16:06:59 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1015012 Kingston offers lots of family-friendly things to see and do over March Break. From visiting a sugarbush to tackling an escape room, exploring a museum to taking in a game, March Break means fun in Kingston.

Maple Madness

1. MAPLE MADNESS

1641 Perth Rd. (Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area)

Maple Madness will be running every weekend in March and throughout the week of March Break (2, 3, 9 – 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31). 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.

 

March of the Museums

2. MARCH OF THE MUSEUMS

Various locations (See website for details)

Enjoy a week-long festival of museums in Kingston. This free event runs March 11 – 15 and is oriented toward families. Learn about the history of Kingston, get creative with crafts, enjoy shows and presentations, and have fun!

For added fun, try to “Find the Ducks” from March 11-15 (during each location’s hours of operation). There are 30 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.

 

Meet Cuisine Kingstonlicious menu

3. Kingstonlicious: sharable feast

Various locations (see website for more details)

Now until March 31, share a special meal with friends: explore the new Kingstonlicious menus at 35+ participating restaurants, cafés, breweries, and markets.

 

Improbable Escapes

4. ESCAPE ROOMS

298 Bagot St. (Sherlock’s Escapes)

303 Bagot St (Improbable Escapes)

500 Gardiners Rd Unit 12A (Wonderland & Board Game Café)

Sherlock’s Escapes and Improbable Escapes offer in-person and online escape rooms. At Sherlock’s Escapes, try The Doctor’s Redemption in-person or Surviving Summer Camp online for an easier escape room experience. At Improbable Escapes, enjoy indoor, outdoor, and online escape room experiences. Try Seven Dwarfs: Minning 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 websites linked above for more details)

Open: Sherlock’s Escapes Mon – Thurs (5:30 – 11 pm), Fri (4 – 11 pm), Sat and Sun (9:30 am – 11 pm) See Improbable Escapes hours online.

 

The Boiler Room

5. ROCK CLIMBING AT THE BOILER ROOM CLIMBING GYM

993 Princess St. Unit 12

Practice 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)

 

The Fun Zone

6. THE FUN ZONE

541 Days Rd.

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.

Open: Hours vary (see website for details)

 

7. XTREME TRAMPOLINE

1525 Robinson Court

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+).

Open: various hours (see website for details)

 

Kingston Frontenac's

8. KINGSTON FRONTENACS GAME

1 The Tragically Hip Way (Slush Puppie Place)

Cheer on the Kingston Frontenacs on March 15 and 17 at Slush Puppie Place. Watch Kingston’s local hockey team as they play against the Peterborough Petes and the North Bay Battalion. Find more information and tickets on their website. Follow the Kingston Frontenacs on Instagram to stay updated on special events/happenings during their games.

 

9. KINGSTON FRONTENAC PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMMING

Locations vary (see more event details on their website)

March Break programming at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library offers multiple events geared toward kids. Enjoy the Puppet Show Tour March 11 – 15 at various locations, on March 11(10:30 – 11:30 am) attend Maple Math with Blue Marble at the Isabel Turner branch, invent a voice-activated robotic hand using electronic building blocks on Thursday, March 14 (1:30 – 2:30 pm) at the Isabel Turner branch, and more.

 

10. THE SCREENING ROOM

120 Princess St.

The Screening Room offers $5 kid-friendly movies throughout March Break. Screenings are My Neighbor Totoro (March 11 – 14), Barbie (March 11, 13, 15), The Land Before Time (11, 12, 14, 15), Tangled (March 11, 12, 14, 15), Looney Tunes Cartoon (March 11, 13 – 15), Napolean Dynomite (March 12 – 14), and Up (March 12 – 15). Kids’ combos (small popcorn + juice box) will be $5 ($5.60 with HST). Visit their website for more details.

 

Haunted Walk of Kingston

11. THE HAUNTED WALK

200 Ontario St.

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.

 

Kingston Trolley Tour

12. KINGSTON TROLLEY TOURS

209 Ontario St.

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 16 and 17 at 11 am and 1 pm. See ticket option on their website.

 

March Break Activities at The Rocking Horse

13. Activities at The Rocking Horse

193 Princess St.

Enjoy some family fun at The Rocking Horse during March Break. Make a caterpillar suncatcher and collage at Crafty Craft (March 11), make gifts for your besties at Friendship Bracelet Making (March 13), and learn about growing/caring for plants and start growing your own at Get Growing (March 15). Each workshop is about 45 – 50 minutes. All supplies are provided. See their website for more details.

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25 Things to do in March https://www.visitkingston.ca/25-things-to-do-in-march/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:21:36 +0000 http://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=18710

From Maple Madness to March Break, music to museums, we welcome warmer weather and so much to see, do, and experience in Kingston this March.

1. March of the Museums

1. March of the Museums

2. Kingston Canadian Film Festival

2. Kingston Canadian Film Festival

3. Maple Madness

3. Maple Madness

4. Kingstonlicious: culinary festival

4. Kingstonlicious: culinary festival

5. Jonathan Davies & Django’s Kitchen

5. Jonathan Davies & Django’s Kitchen

6. As You Like It

6. As You Like It

7. Choir! Choir! Choir!

7. Choir! Choir! Choir!

8. Kingstonlicious signature events

8. Kingstonlicious signature events

9. Eggs-tream Easter Fun at the Museum

9. Eggs-tream Easter Fun at the Museum

10. Stoked Sauna Co.

10. Stoked Sauna Co.

11. Kingston Food Tours

11. Kingston Food Tours

12. Kingston Trolley Tours

12. Kingston Trolley Tours

13. Jinsha: The Journey

13. Jinsha: The Journey

14. Glow Spa Retreat

14. Glow Spa Retreat

15. Magic: the Gathering

15. Magic: the Gathering

16. Original Haunted Walk of Kingston

16. Original Haunted Walk of Kingston

17. The Rural Alberta Advantage

17. The Rural Alberta Advantage

18. K-os

18. K-os

19. Fifth annual Great Bach Marathon

19. Fifth annual Great Bach Marathon

20. Impressionist Flowers Workshop

20. Impressionist Flowers Workshop

21. Allison Russell

21. Allison Russell

22. Nautical Nights: HMCS Thiepval

22. Nautical Nights: HMCS Thiepval

23. Paul Langlois Band and Skydiggers

23. Paul Langlois Band and Skydiggers

24. A Cosmic Collison: Sun vs Moon

24. A Cosmic Collison: Sun vs Moon

25. Who is Belle Island?

25. Who is Belle Island?

 

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

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A shareable feast: Kingstonlicious https://www.visitkingston.ca/a-shareable-feast-kingstonlicious/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:31:54 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1127096 Now until March 31, share a special meal with friends: explore the new Kingstonlicious menus at 35+ participating restaurants, cafés, breweries, and markets. Here’s a sample:

 

Breakfast

Memorial Centre Farmer's Market

Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

303 York St.

Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market offers a sample tasting adventure for $25 (or less) on Sundays 10 am to 2 pm until March 31. Enjoy freshly made, local food, from beverages to main to dessert, all at the market. This market culinary adventure features freshly roasted coffee from Haymakers Coffee Co, handmade apple cider from Cravin’, charcuterie starter pack (artisanal crackers, pea shoot pesto, and microgreens) from Collective Joy Farm, soup with fresh bread from Cravin’, okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancake created with fresh vegetables, including cabbage and carrots) from Main Street Urban Farm, and a two-piece truffle box for dessert from CocoaBistro.

View menu

 

Lunch

Juniper Café

Juniper Cafe

370 King St W (Tett Centre)

3-497 Cataraqui Woods Dr (west end)

A meal to share with friends: choose six party-sized sandwiches (including local chicken, Brie-l-t, warm Wilton cheddar bacon, Abner Mennonite salami, roasted squash, and Mediterranean mushroom) plus a litre of house-made soup for $75. Available seven days a week February 18 – March 31, until sold out.

View menu

View west end menu

 

Wharf and Feather

Wharf & Feather

2 Princess St.

Choose between cheese doughnuts or Caprese flatbread to start, braised beef sirloin or chipotle chicken tacos for your second course, and then indulge in some New York-style cheesecake bites for dessert. Dine-in Wed–Thurs, 4:30 to 9 pm; Fri–Sat, noon to 9 pm. Available February 21–March 31.

View Menu

Make it a culinary getaway: visit Kingston and receive a $100 Visa gift card when you book select overnight packages.

 

Dinner

Namaste

Namaste

178 Ontario St. (downtown)

2559 Princess St. (west end)

For $75, enjoy a tasty eight-item menu offered at Namaste’s downtown and west end locations, featuring samosa, onion bhaji, chicken korma, lamb rogan josh, shrimp bhuna, rice, naan, and gulab jamun. Dine-in and takeout Mon–Thurs. Available February 19–March 28.

View downtown menu

View west end menu

Pizza Monster

Pizza Monster

213 Montreal St.

Date night special: choose two pizzas (marinara, margherita, salami, mushroom, buffalo chicken or cauliflower, pineapple, anchovy, jalapeño, sausage, cacio e pepe, or pesto) plus kale Caesar salad and two cannoli (regular, pistachio, or chocolate). Dine-in or takeout for $60 Wed–Sat 4 pm to close. Available February 21–March 30.

View menu

 

Light bites

Collective Joy Farm

Collective Joy Farm

477 Macdonnell St.  

This fresh, healthy menu feeds two for $25. Share a snackable package featuring crisp artisanal crackers, pea shoot pesto, and organic microgreens. Available in-store Tues–Sat, 10 am–5 pm and online February 18–March 31.

View menu

Fine Balance Brewing Company and Patriam Coffee

Fine Balance Brewing Company/ Patriam Coffee

677 Innovation Drive, Unit 4  

Have brunch or lunch for two, with bacon/cheddar biscuits, carrot cake, your choice of latte (salted caramel latte or cardamom latte), and a beer sampler (choose from a selection of IPAs, sours, stouts, and pale ales on tap). Dine-in Wed–Sat, 9 am to 3 pm. Available February 21–March 30.

View Fine Balance Brewing Co. menu

View Patriam Coffee menu

 

See all shareable menus: Kingstonlicious

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25 Things to do on St. Patrick’s Day https://www.visitkingston.ca/25-things-to-do-on-st-patricks-day/ Tue, 20 Feb 2024 22:32:32 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1127414

St. Patrick's Day

Grab your friends and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a variety of safe and fun activities close to campus. The events marked with a shamrock are free!

 

1. 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship

Queen’s ARC, Mar 14-17

 

2. Paradise Lost by the Dan School of Drama & Music

Isabel Bader Centre, Mar 14-16, 8 pm; Mar 17, 2 pm

 

3. An escape room or outdoor adventure

Improbable Escapes, open daily

 

☘️. Kingston Irish Folk Club

Tir Nan Og, Mar 15, 6-8 pm

 

☘️. Paula Wood, Frank Ryan Band

Royal Tavern, Mar 15, 4:30-midnight

 

☘️. Kingston Irish Folk Club

Tir Nan Og, Mar 15, 6-8 pm

 

7. Big Sugar

Kingston Grand Theatre, Mar 15, 7:30 pm

 

8. Oakridge Ave., The Sugar Pills, Julia Finnegan

The Broom Factory, Mar 15, 7:30-10 pm

 

☘️. Christopher Jackson & friends

Blu Martini, Mar 15, 7-10 pm

 

☘️. Karaoke hosted by Maygan Sudds

Royal Tavern, Mar 16, 9 pm-1 am

 

11. A solo show: Lizzie St Cloud

The Grad Club, Mar 15, 8 pm

 

12. Queer Prom

Grant Hall, Mar 15, 8 pm-midnight

 

13. Whiskey Smoke

The Club at the RCHA, Mar 15, 8-11 pm

 

☘️. Celtic Kitchen Party, Kevin and the Kitchen Sink

Tir Nan Og, Mar 16, 5 pm-midnight

 

15. St. Paddy’s with Three’s Company

The Club at RCHA, Mar 16, 8-10 pm

 

16. Zeus

The Grad Club, Mar 16, 8-11 pm

 

☘️. Taming Sari, Wyntry, Lowery Milly

Blu Martini, Mar 16, 9 pm

 

18. The Next Level Tour: The Last of the Duke Kings, No Souvenirs

The Mansion, Mar 16, 9 pm

 

☘️. St Paddy’s

Royal Tavern, Mar 17, 11 am-2 am

 

☘️. Irish Folk Club

Montes, Mar 17, 1-5 pm

 

21. Kingston Frontenacs vs North Bay Battalion

Slush Puppie Place, Mar 17, 2 pm

 

☘️. Savannah Shea

Musiikki Cafe, Mar 17, 4-6 pm

 

23.The Mahones

 The Broom Factory, Mar 17, 7:30-10 pm

 

☘️. Scott Owens

The Brass Pub, Mar 17, 10 pm-1 am

 

☘️. The Celtic Kitchen Party, Fiddleheads, Kevin and the Kitchen Sink

Tir Nan Og, Mar 17, noon-11 pm

 

Special events:

 

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Waterfront Run with Runners’ Choice

Mar 17, 10 am

  • Start and end at Springer Market Square
  • 5 km and 7 km routes along the waterfront
  • Enjoy live music and smoothies in the Square after your run thanks to Fresh Healthy Cafe!

All participants are entered to win a $100 Runners’ Choice gift card and a Runners’ Choice prize pack.

Free to participate! Register in advance: here.

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Waterfront Yoga with Morro Yoga

Mar 17, 11 am

Battery Park (Ontario St and Earl St)

  • Bring your own yoga mat
  • 50-minute yoga class on the waterfront
  • Enjoy live music and smoothies in the Springer Market Square after yoga thanks to Fresh Healthy Cafe!
  • All participants are entered to win a $100 Lululemon gift card and 10 x class passes to Morro Yoga.

Free to participate! Register in advance: here 

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day in the Square

Mar 17, 11 am – 7 pm

Springer Market Square

  • Free all-ages concert
  • Line-up of Queen’s bands: Frank Ryan, girldad, Möbius Trip, Carnelian, RevZed,
  • Rustpump, Bad Fortune, Heavy Pocket + more
  • Hosted by CFRC 101.9’s Live Session Team
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Things to do in Kingston: Family Day weekend https://www.visitkingston.ca/things-to-do-in-kingston-family-day-weekend/ Thu, 08 Feb 2024 16:50:20 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1126568 Enjoy a variety of Family Day weekend activities and experiences in Kingston. From catching a Kingston Frontenacs game to making art with the kids, there is something for every family to do.

the Stuff Stories are Made of exhibition

The stuff stories are made of

PumpHouse Museum (23 Ontario St)

Feb 16–17, 10 am–5 pm

On Friday and Saturday of the long weekend, visit the PumpHouse Museum from 10 am to 5 pm to explore its current exhibition, The stuff stories are made of. This exhibit showcases objects from the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, the PumpHouse, civic, art, and archaeology collections.

 

pizza, salad, and cannoli's on a table at Pizza Monster
Pizza Monster

Dine on us!

Various locations

All weekend long

Dine on us with a $100 Visa gift card when you book your stay through select packages. Use your gift card towards a meal out with your family at this year’s Kingstonlicious locations. Enjoy tasty bites at your favourite Kingston restaurants, cafés, markets, and breweries. (On February 18, all menus switch to shareable themed menus – perfect for the whole family to enjoy.)

Book a $100 Visa package

See all Kingstonlicious menus and participating Kingstonlicious locations

 

Family Day at the Tett: Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning x Draw by Night Kingston

Family Day at the Tett: Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning x Draw by Night Kingston

Tett Centre (370 King St. W.)

Feb 19, 10am–1pm

Head to the Rehearsal Hall (Room 203) at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning for a family social drawing party. The Tett Centre and Draw by Night Kingston are supplying all the drawing tools for you and your family to get creative. Try family-friendly colouring sheets or get creative, drawing on tables covered with paper.

 

https://www.tettcentre.org/events/family-day-at-the-tett-tett-centre-for-creativity-and-learning-x-draw-by-night-kingston

Over, under, and round and round (Kingston Handloom Weavers & Spinners)

Tett Centre (370 King St. W.)

Feb 19, 10 am–1 pm

Also in the Rehearsal Hall of the Tett Centre, learn how to handweave with your family at the KHWS activity Over, under, and round and round.

 

Family Day at the Kingston Potters’ Guild

Family Day at the Kingston Potters’ Guild

Tett Centre (370 King St. West)
Feb 19, 10 am–1 pm

While you’re at the Tett Centre, head to suite 207 (2nd floor) to create mosaics inspired by Kingston’s cultural history. Using unused mosaic tiles, paint your own piece of mosaic, or take home a glazed piece of mosaic art created for the ceramic art installation at the Richardson Bathhouse.

 

Abstract Workshop Birdgirl Art Studio

Abstract workshop

Birdgirl Arts Studio (77 Princess Street, 2nd floor)

Feb 19, 1–4 pm

Create an abstract masterpiece with artist and arts educator Shannon Dickie at the Birdgirl Art Studio. You and your family will create your mixed-media abstract through layers of pencil crayons, custom-mixed acrylic paint, and paint markers. Tickets include two price points, for families of 2 to 3 ($125) and families of 4 to 5 ($150). Purchase your tickets online.

There will be a 30-to-45-minute break to let the layer of acrylic paint dry. While you’re waiting, check out nearby coffee shops for you and your kiddo to grab a beverage.

 

Lord Of The Rings at The Screening Room

Lord of the Rings trilogy marathon: The Screening Room

The Screening Room (120 Princess St.)

Feb 19 – show times:

  • 10 am, 10:15 am: The Fellowship of the Rings (2 hours 58 min)
  • 2 pm, 2:15 pm: The Two Towers (2 hours 59 min)
  • 6 pm, 6:15 pm: The Return of the King (3 hours 21 min)

Gather at The Screening Room for a day-long movie marathon featuring The Lord of the Rings trilogy. While you’re there, get some tasty popcorn, drinks, and treats at the canteen for your movie day. General admission is $11.95 plus HST per screening. Stay for all three for $38.85 plus HST and receive a coupon for a medium popcorn. See more ticket pricing online.

 

The Kingston Frontenacs players on the ice

Kingston Frontenacs vs. Barrie Colts Family Day game

Slush Puppie Place (1 The Tragically Hip Way)

Feb 19, 2 pm

Bring the family and cheer on the Kingston Fronts as they go up against the Barrie Colts. The centre also will have family fun activities running on the main concourse.

Price: $15.18 – $41.50

Book now and receive special offers when you book your stay using our Kingston Frontenacs Game Day family packages.

 

Teddy Bear Hospital

(Sold out) Teddy Bear Hospital

Museum of Health Care (32 Goerge St.)

Feb 19, 9 am–4 pm

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 11. Time slot registration is required. Book your timeslot online.

 

skating on ice

Family Day activities – City Of Kingston programming

Various locations

Feb 17–19

Enjoy tot swim time or family badminton at Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, public skating or Family Day Zumba class at the INVISTA Centre, and more special city programming at Kingston’s recreation and leisure facilities. Learn more online.

 

Visitor Information Centre

Family Day weekend scavenger hunt

Visitor Information Centre (209 Ontario St.)

Feb 17, starting at noon

Come to the Visitor Information Centre for a family day scavenger hunt and a free hot cup of cocoa. The scavenger hunt starts at noon. Entries will be accepted until 3 pm. All participants who finish the scavenger hunt will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a prize bag (Kingston merch and local gift certificates). Anyone is welcome to stop by for a cup of hot chocolate (not only scavenger hunt participants).

See all available family packages.

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Film in Kingston: past and present https://www.visitkingston.ca/film-in-kingston-past-and-present/ Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:37:04 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1126474 Learn about Kingston’s rich film history and the 2024 Kingston Canadian Film Festival.

Alias Grace
“Alias Grace” Day 62/65 Photo: Jan Thijs 2016

To celebrate the upcoming 2024 edition of the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, we’re taking a look back at some of Kingston’s film landmarks and history. To explore Kingston’s film history further, take a free Creative Kingston film walking tour. These tours give insights into Kingston locations used in productions from Star Trek: Voyager to Murdoch Mysteries, share archival photos of historic film landmarks, and explore Kingston connections in the world of film.

The Screening Room was the site of the first Kingston Canadian Film Festival in 2001 and it will play a host once more for the 2024 festival. Kingston’s only independent movie theatre, The Screening Room offers a variety of new releases, cult classics, art-house films, and family-friendly movies on its three screens.

Steacy’s Department Store. Courtesy of The Screening Room

The Screening Room building at 120 Princess Street was originally the home of Steacy’s Department Store, which operated from 1903 to 1983.

Two blocks up Princess Street, Kingston Grand Theatre was originally the Grand Opera House, designed for live performances and built in 1901–02 on the site of an earlier opera house. But for several decades, The Grand operated as a movie theatre.

two people holding hands in a doorway
Still from Carry on Sergeant! by Bruce Bairnsfather (1928)

In 1928, The Grand featured Carry On Sergeant!, a silent World War One drama that was largely filmed at studios in Trenton as well as locations in Kingston including the Plaza Hotel (at Montreal and Queen Streets) and Canadian Locomotive Company (along the waterfront on Ontario Street between William and Gore streets). Carry On, Sergeant! was screened at the 2010 edition of KCFF.

The Movie Man
The Movie Man

The recently announced line-up for KCFF 2024 includes a number of premieres, including the world premiere of AJ Edmonds’ documentary Dark Highway and the Canadian premiere of Matt Finlin’s documentary The Movie Man. A number of this year’s films have Kingston connections, including Fitting In, a movie by Queen’s University film graduate Molly McGlynn.

Local Shorts: The Local Motion
Local Shorts: The Local Motion

The festival had so many great locally made submissions for its short film program, it is offering two events to highlight the best: LET’S GET LOCAL, on March 1 and The LOCAL MOTION, on March 3. Both events are held at the Kingston Grand Theatre.

In addition, the third annual Slaight Music Video Showcase returns as part of the festival. Ten new music videos will be premiered on March 2, representing the collaboration between Kingston musicians and filmmakers.

The 2024 Kingston Canadian Film Festival passes and tickets are now on sale.

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25 things to do in February https://www.visitkingston.ca/25-things-to-do-in-february/ Thu, 25 Jan 2024 16:35:54 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=693493 Fall in love with Kingston this February. Enjoy a special Kingstonlicious meal, explore a museum, experience live music and theatre.

Make sure you click each image for more event details.

1. Kingston Canadian Film Festival

1. Kingston Canadian Film Festival

2. Standup comedy night at Daft

2. Standup comedy night at Daft

3. J’attends encore: music with Geneviève and Allain

3. J'attends encore: music with Geneviève and Allain

4. Brayden King live at The Buckle

4. Brayden King live at The Buckle

5. ReelOut Queer Film Festival

5. ReelOut Queer Film Festival

6. Cabin Fever: Kingston winter antiques show

6. Cabin Fever: Kingston winter antiques show

7. Kingstonlicious

7. Kingstonlicious

8. Happy Trails painting workshop with Lisa Leskien

8. Happy Trails painting workshop with Lisa Leskien

9. Horizon: lighting installation

9. Horizon: lighting installation

10. Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show

10. Comfortable Numb – Canada's Pink Floyd Show

11. Craig Cardiff live at Musiikki

11. Craig Cardiff live at Musiikki

12. Kingstonlicious signature events

12. Kingstonlicious signature events

13. Side by Side art exhibition and fundraiser

13. Side by Side art exhibition and fundraiser

14. Family Day: Teddy Bear Hospital

14. Family Day: Teddy Bear Hospital

15. DND Jazz Trio

15. DND Jazz Trio

16. Kingston Symphony plays Livingston & Rachmaninoff

16. Kingston Symphony plays Livingston & Rachmaninoff

17. ValenZine workshop

17. ValenZine workshop

18. My Kinky Valentine burlesque show

18. My Kinky Valentine burlesque show

19. Stoked Sauna Co.

19. Stoked Sauna Co.

20. Jay Bridges: Hidden in plain sight photography exhibition

20. Jay Bridges: Hidden in plain sight photography exhibition

21. Kingston Food Tours

21. Kingston Food Tours

22. The Stuff Stories Are Made Of: exhibition

22. The Stuff Stories Are Made Of: exhibition

23. Kingston CCA-AFC Cat Show

23. Kingston CCA-AFC Cat Show

24. Theatre Kingston presents Bakersfield Mist

24. Theatre Kingston presents Bakersfield Mist

25. The Strumbellas

25. The Strumbellas

Events just in

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Reelout celebrates 25 years of queer film https://www.visitkingston.ca/reelout-celebrates-25-years-of-queer-film/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:34:42 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1120664 Kingston film festival runs Feb. 1–10

Reelout 2024 poster

Reelout, Kingston’s queer film festival, returns February 1 for its 25th season. This year’s ten-day festival showcases more than 85 films from across Canada and around the world.

The festival kicks off with a gala shindig on February 1 at the Broom Factory, hosted by Kingston drag king Dare De LaFemme. Film screenings run every day from February 2 to 10 at The Screening Room. There are 28 unique film programs over the ten days, with a variety of feature-length and short films, dramas and documentaries. The opening night film, PeaFowl, comes from South Korea, and is paired with a Canadian animated short, Embrace the Moon.

Peafowl

Although most of the films screened at Reelout are recent productions, there are a few retrospective films of note this year. Dreamers of the Day is a 1990 romance by Patrica Rivera Spencer that was filmed mostly in Kingston. Skin Deep is a 1995 psychological drama by Midi Onodera. Both of these filmmakers will be in attendance at the screenings of their films.

Dreamers of the Day

Individual tickets and festival passes for Reelout are now on sale.

Reelout is now the second largest film festival in Ontario and Kingston’s longest running film festival (by a year – the Kingston Canadian Film Festival celebrates its 24th anniversary in 2024.)

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So delicious: Kingstonlicious is back this winter https://www.visitkingston.ca/so-delicious-kingstonlicious-is-back-this-winter/ Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:22:59 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1105219 Now in its fourth year, Kingstonlicious is a season-long culinary festival pairing premier prix fixe menus with curated culinary events across the city. Participating restaurants, cafés, and breweries offer something for every budget and taste.

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Light bites. Experience how delicious Kingston is this winter.

January 15 to February 17: a world of flavours

Dig into the international tastes of Kingstonlicious between January 15 and February 17. From cozy, feel-good dishes to mouthwatering multicultural menus, Kingston’s restaurants have crafted a world of flavours.

Score Pizza offers a delicious Kingstonlicious meal deal for $25. Choose from one of their four signature fired sandwiches, including balsamic chicken (chicken topped with bacon, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, spinach, pesto mayo, and balsamic drizzle). Pair your sandwich with a Caesar salad or a “build your own” salad and a bottled non-alcoholic drink or Score’s housemade lemonade.

A balsamic chicken sandwich with salad and a drink from Score Pizza
A balsamic chicken sandwich with salad and a drink from Score Pizza

Chez Piggy changes its three-course Kingstonlicious menu weekly: its tour of world cuisine kicks off on January 21, with roasted mushroom toast, roasted dry-brined chicken with “peasant” salad, and a hand-rolled lemon truffle, for $60 per person. The special Kingstonlicious menus are offered Sunday through Thursday.

A roasted mushroom toast appetizer from Chez Piggy
A roasted mushroom toast appetizer from Chez Piggy

Crazing something sweet? Mio Gelato offers a trio of Italian classics for $25: raspberry sorbeto, pistachio gelato, and stracciatella gelato (sweet cream with chocolate crackle).

Raspberry sorbeto, pistachio and stracciatella gelato from Mio Gelato
Raspberry sorbeto, pistachio and stracciatella gelato from Mio Gelato

 

Make it a culinary getaway: visit Kingston this winter and receive a $100 Visa gift card when you book select overnight packages.

 

New signature events

Kingstonlicious 2024 offers six new culinary events, with Kingston chefs creating magical one-off menus, often in collaboration with guest chefs.

Mesa Fresca
Explore the flavours of Mexico at the Mesa Fresca x La Condesa signature event

Mesa Fresca x La Condesa

Sun Feb 4, 11 am-4 pm

Mesa Fresca, Kingston’s Mexican-fusion restaurant, partners with La Condesa, Prince Edward County’s own cucina Mexicana. Explore the flavours of Mexico brought to life with local ingredients in this collaborative four-course feast (with vegan options). Mesa Fresca’s Andrew and Alison Scahill work with guests Samantha Valdivia and Matt Gilsenan of La Condesa to create a meal to remember. Raissa Sarkisian (Kingston’s Juniper Cafe) adds a delightful dessert to conclude the meal.

Secret Garden Inn Rock the Casbah signature event
The Secret Garden Inn’s “Rock the Casbah” signature event

The Secret Garden Inn

Weds Feb 7, 5:30-8 pm

The Secret Garden’s Head Chef Rachael Johnston and Chef Andrew Kernohan have built upon the inn’s signature fondue experience to create a special five-course Moroccan feast. Inspired by the herbs and spices of Moroccan cuisine, and utilizing fresh, local ingredients, they have created a sumptuous meal – plus a signature cocktail – that will tantalize your tastebuds.

Miss Bāo special Chinese Lantern Festival signature event
Miss Bāo special Chinese Lantern Festival signature event

Miss Bāo Restaurant + Cocktail Bar x The Pine & Mockingbird

Mon Feb 26, 5 pm

Chef Bellen Tong of Miss Bāo welcomes special guests from Collingwood and Kingston to create a special Chinese Lantern Festival culinary event. Guest chef Jeremy Austin showcases his culinary training in China at his award-winning Collingwood restaurant The Pine (and soon-to-open restaurant Mockingbird). Chef Brent McAllister (Kingston’s AquaTerra) joins the collaboration to create innovative dishes that celebrate the end of the lunar New Year celebrations, and herald new beginnings as spring approaches.

HEIST Restaurant + Wine Club
At HEIST Restaurant + Wine Club’s signature event enjoy a evening of Roman cuisine

HEIST Restaurant and Wine Club x Enoteca Sociale

Thurs Feb 29

Executive Chef Lindsay Skoropada of HEIST Restaurant and Wine Club welcomes Kyle Rindinella, Executive Chef of Enoteca Sociale, a Toronto restaurant known for its Roman cuisine. Together, they will create a sumptuous meal accented with selections from Heist’s impressive wine collection. The evening concludes with a special dessert inspired by Rome created by Kingston’s own Mio Gelato.

Black Dog Tavern
Black Dog Tavern’s signature event pairs a delectable surf and turf menu with carefully curated Ontario ciders

Black Dog Tavern x The Royal Hotel x Ontario Cidermakers

Mon Mar 4

Chef Andrew Varley of Black Dog Tavern hosts a culinary evening that pairs local cuisine with a variety of Ontario ciders. This event features a delectable surf and turf menu co-created by Executive Chef Albert Ponzo and Pastry Chef Sarah Villamere from The Royal Hotel in Picton. Ciders from Spy Cider House & Distillery (The Blue Mountains), Woodfolk Cider (Coldwater), Cold Creek Vineyards (Hillier) and Stock and Row (Bloomfield) will be paired with the dishes created for this event.

Wharf and Feather signature culinary event
Enjoy Wharf and Feather’s signature event highlighting new Asian flavours

Wharf & Feather x DaiLo

Weds Mar 27

Chef Pankaj Bhatt of Wharf & Feather welcomes Chef Nick Liu of Toronto restaurant DaiLo, plus Kingston’s Chez Piggy Chef Rich Nicholas, to create a dining experience highlighting new Asian flavours. Chef Liu is known for his French-inspired Chinese cuisine, putting a new spin on the comfort food of his childhood. Together, these chefs have created an inspired menu that marries old favourites with new ideas and local ingredients.

February 18 to March 31: a shareable feast

From February 18 to March 31, enjoy Kingstonlicious menus crafted to bring you together. Snackable, shareable, and downright devourable, Kingston’s restaurants, cafés, and breweries are serving up charm and connection. Gather the family, cheers with friends, or make it a late-night date night.

Otter Creek Kitchen has a cozy date night meal for two, with two five-ounce Wagyu beef burgers with Wilton cheddar, large fries, and two drinks, all for $40.

Otter Creek Kitchen serves up Wagyu beef burgers topped with Wilton cheddar.
Otter Creek Kitchen serves up Wagyu beef burgers topped with Wilton cheddar.

Heist Restaurant and Wine Club offers a romantic four-course dinner for two, available Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. ($60 per person)

Arancini and polenta fries from Heist
Arancini and polenta fries from Heist

Choose from arancini or polenta fries to start, then share a pizza (mortadella or roasted veggie). Your entrée choices are braised short rib (served with creamy polenta, grilled radicchio, and red wine jus) or eggplant parmigiana (with tomato sugo, fresh basil, and seasonal vegetables).

Your sharable feast concludes with sticky toffee pudding, filled with cranberry and fig, and served with toffee sauce and crème anglaise.

Heist’s sticky toffee pudding for two
Heist’s sticky toffee pudding for two

See all prix fixe menus, signature culinary events, and $100 Visa packages on our Kingstonlicious page.

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Rest, relax & retreat in Kingston https://www.visitkingston.ca/rest-relax-retreat-in-kingston/ Sun, 10 Dec 2023 22:08:45 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1108466 When the chill of winter sets in, find warmth in the Limestone City. Discover elegant inns and chic hotels, soothing spas, saunas, and food & drink to feed your soul.  

This winter, receive a $100 Visa gift card when you book select overnight packages.   

 

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Stoked Sauna Co.  

At the Frontenac Club, you’ll find the outdoor Stoke and Chill Sauna experience by Stoked Sauna Co. Relax as they guide you through in their outdoor saunas, take an invigorating soak in their ice baths, and then warm up by a crackling fire. After you’re done, enjoy the après-sauna menu.  

Reservations required.  

Secret Garden Inn Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea at The Secret Garden Inn  

Reminiscent of days gone by, The Secret Garden Inn’s signature afternoon tea experience is a culinary delight. Expect house-made sweet and savoury delicacies including buttery scones, petite fours, and even a glass of bubbly elegantly served on tiered stands.  

Reservations required.  

Glow Spa Retreat at Glow Skincare Co. 

Indulge in the ancient tradition of thermotherapy at the Glow Spa Retreat. This indoor experience features a large hydrotherapy hot tub, soothing sauna, energizing steam room, and a cold plunge pool. The Spa Retreat includes light food and beverage service (additional cost). Book for one to three hours. Glow also offers services such as facials and massages.  

Reservations required.  

Miss Bao Filipino Kamayan Feast

Kingstonlicious  

Kingston’s culinary festival returns mid-January through end of March. Kingstonlicious offers a variety of prix fixe menus to suit every taste and budget at restaurants, cafes, and breweries across the city. Enjoy crafted culinary experiences through the signature events series, which presents exclusive themed dining events.  

Explore deliciousness at Kingstonlicious  

 

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The Refinery Spa & Social House  

Enter The Refinery Spa’s eucalyptus steam room and feel your stress melt away. This 30-minute experience includes private access and towel service. Enjoy it with a friend or go solo. For the ultimate unwind, package it with one (or more!) of their many services, including facials, pedicures, body treatments and more.  

Reservations required.  

Breakfast inn bed 

Kingston’s historic inns include the Frontenac Club, The Secret Garden Inn, The Rosemount Inn, The Hochelaga Inn, and All Suite Whitney Manor. Each captures the history, heritage, and charm of Kingston past while offering modern amenities and service. From gourmet breakfasts to pastries baked in-house and fresh-pressed juice, stays at the Frontenac Club, The Secret Garden, The Rosemount Inn, and The Hochelaga Inn include breakfast service. At All Suites Whitney Manor, pick up some fresh local ingredients and craft your own breakfast using the in-suite kitchen.  

View accommodation packages 

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Where history comes to life https://www.visitkingston.ca/where-history-comes-to-life/ Sat, 09 Dec 2023 20:47:09 +0000 https://www.visitkingston.ca/?p=1107160 The Military Communications and Electronics Museum

“A museum is a story,” says Annette Gillis, Curator at the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, a Kingston museum that specifically focuses on “the troops, the times and the technology.” These are honoured through carefully curated exhibits that educate and enlighten its visitors.

“You can read a story about World War Two – but reading does not provide the full picture. For example, our museum allows you to experience that history through objects – like Radio No. 33, also called the Maple Leaf radio, a set that weighs a hefty 630 lbs,” continues Annette. “Our museum allows you to experience that history through objects – like that radio. At the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, you get to see what soldiers wore and the equipment they used.”

Radio No. 33

“Obviously, we’re not on a battlefield, but the museum creates an experience, a snapshot that is worth a thousand words,” she explains.

At the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, the adventurous can step into the pages of Canadian history to discover the role that military communications and electronics have played in conflict and peacekeeping for more than a century.

Here, history comes to life.

“The history of Telecommunications is a major part of the story for the Military Communications and Electronics Branch,” begins Annette. “One of the most prominent exhibits at the museum is the JN-4 Canuck display, which showcases the ingenuity and progress of military communication technology over centuries.”

The JN-4 Canuck display

“Imagine it’s World War One and you’re trying to figure out: how can we communicate from the air to the ground, and send back information for reconnaissance? And due to the limited space in this airplane, you can either receive or you can send information. But then you see the scale of the JN-4 Canuck – and the scale of the radio, and you realize that it’s just so scary for a pilot and a passenger to share space with an engine and this radio.”

“It’s extraordinary – to showcase that scale to the visitor, and to realize that as early as 1915-16, we had the technology to gather reconnaissance from the air!” exclaims Annette.

The Military Communications and Electronics Museum is home to other celebrated and notorious communications technologies, including an Enigma Machine, cipher technology used by Nazi Germany during World War Two and Cold War-era equipment utilized by the Communication and Electronics Branch members active in NORAD’s underground fortresses.

An Enigma machine

Yet perhaps one of the museum’s most celebrated exhibits has little to do with communications and electronics, a testimonial to the impact of Canada on the world.

In the Vimy Memorial Room, the Military Communications and Electronics Museum houses Canada Bereft, the Grieving Lady and the Grieving Man, half-scale plaster models of an allegory of Canada’s immense sacrifice on European battlefields during World War One.

The Grieving Lady

Created by famous Canadian sculptor Walter Seymour Allward, the figures of Canada Bereft guided the construction process of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in northern France, commemorating a battle considered to be a pivotal moment in Canada’s history as a young nation, a moment in time when the country emerged from Britain’s shadow.

“Canada Bereft is just breathtaking in the morning,” reflects Annette. “I love being here first thing in the morning when the sun casts light and shadow on her face framed by the ceramic poppies. To me, it’s one of the important displays that people must take in when they visit.”

The Military Communications and Electronics Museum doesn’t just show and tell – it also creates and curates experiences that challenge visitors to engage with history and explore their knowledge. Case in point: in partnership with Improbable Escapes, the museum has created Camp X and Spymaster, interactive games and mind puzzles that engage all five senses, plunging visitors into a world of intrigue, secrets, and coding, and turning them into wartime spies on a mission.

Camp X, explains Annette, was one of several dozen schools around the world that served the Special Operations Executive, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario between Whitby and Oshawa in Ontario and created by the British agency in 1940 to promote sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines during World War II.

The game Camp X calls on visitors to don a trench coat, the pockets of which are stuffed with puzzles – crosswords, encoding and decoding tasks – inviting these would-be spies to engage with the gallery exhibits dedicated to Camp X to decipher clues.

A trench coat for the Camp X game

“And because spies are pretty cool, we developed a game that’s a little bit harder called Spymaster,” says Annette. “This is where you’re an agent and you have to figure out who is the double agent, the traitor, that has turned on you. Similar to Camp X, there are a whole bunch of different little games, puzzles and clues you have to figure out. And during this game you are timed. Whoever completes the game first wins – and both these games are available to French-speaking visitors!”

The Spymaster game

While the Military Communications and Electronics Museum houses many exhibits in both of Canada’s official languages, Annette underscores that translating English-language exhibits to French has been a progressive journey – but that it is one the Museum is committed to seeing to completion.

“Our visitor is our motivator,” explains Annette. “We welcome many French-speaking visitors and there are many serving and retired members of our Branch and our community who are Francophone. To not provide as many exhibits as possible in the French language would be leaving out a huge part of our community.”

Translation of exhibits, key materials and the Military Communications and Electronics Museum website has not been without its challenges – but also, explains Annette, a powerful catalyst for insightful and unexpected revelations on military parlance.

“The military has its own culture – they have their own unique vocabulary and sometimes, the same word for an object or a concept might be used in both English and French. In fact, retired Francophone soldiers often laugh about it, because we are trying to take these historical terms and properly translate them to French – and they tell us, “We never would have called it that.”

Ultimately, achieving full translation to French also means honouring Francophones who have served in the Communications and Electronics Branch over the course of Canadian history, believes Annette.

“When you think about Morse Code, Teletype, these are all special languages and it’s a field of work that attracted people who were adept with language,” says Annette. “When we’re trying to tell the story of the people who are part of the Communications and Electronics Branch, a lot of them are Francophones.”

A treasure trove of history, technology, and innovation, the museum’s story unfolds itself to the visitor, its carefully curated exhibits and experiences shining a light on stories of ingenuity and imagination from Canada’s military past.

“We are such a niche museum,” concludes Annette. “And yet our audience is vast and incredibly diverse. We see military history buffs. Art majors. Archeologists. Tech nerds. Young and old. They want to come see radars, phones, switchboards – the Enigma Machine used by the Germans to communicate through codes during World War Two. The JN-4 Canuck. Canada Bereft.”

“And it’s all because our museum breathes life into history.”

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