As spring gives way to summer, Kingston hosts a variety of festivals including a two-day cheese-tasting experience and an immersive art exhibition exploring resistance and solidarity. Check out these six events taking place throughout May and June in Kingston.
The Great Canadian Cheese Festival
Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
May 24, 10 am—5 pm & May 25, 10 am—4 pm
Taste creamy brie and sharp blue cheese at The Great Canadian Cheese Festival happening at Fort Henry. The two-day event will feature kids’ cheese-making workshops, tasting events, live music, and over 80 vendors who explain what it takes to make the perfect block of parmesan.
As well as making their own cheese, your kiddo will learn about the production and history behind Swiss, Limburger, blue, and cream cheeses during the kid’s cheese-making workshop. The festival also offers programming for adults, including a Canadian award-winning cheese tasting (May 24 at 11 am & May 25 at 1 pm) and Quebec cheese tasting (May 24 at 1 pm & May 25 at 11 am). They’re even hosting a tasting called “All Around the Farmyard” (May 24 at 3 pm) where you’ll get to try interesting cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cow’s milk, all produced on Canadian farms.
As you roam the historic military fort and snack on various cheeses, enjoy live jazz music from Toronto musician Howard Lopez.
Visit The Great Canadian Cheese Festival’s website to purchase your tickets and check out their full schedule.
Spring Reverb
Various locations
May 29 to June 1
Music reverberates throughout Kingston this May and June. The fourth annual Spring Reverb returns, featuring live-music events at local businesses.
Pop into Musiikki Café to hear original songs from Ash Malloy, Julia Finnegan, and Clara Smallman (May 30 at 7 pm). Or head over to the Broom Factory for CJ Wiley’s Big Gay Night featuring music from emerging indie-pop musician Mint Simon, queer line dancing with country tunes from the band SPURS, film screenings, and more (May 31 at 7 pm). While most of the shows are open to all ages, events at The Mansion—like the showcase of Montreal pop artists (May 31 at 9 pm)—and The Toucan are 19+.
Check out Spring Reverb’s full schedule online and purchase your advance tickets.
Festival of Live Digital Art (FOLDA): Seeds of Resistance and Solidarity
Various locations
June 4 to 7
FOLDA’s theatre performances invite audiences to reflect upon our current social and political climate. This year’s festival of live digital art focuses on resistance and solidarity with shows that delve into topics such as migration, identity, inclusion, technology, and kinship. Audiences actively contribute to FOLDA’s shows, providing real-time feedback to artists that shape the final version of the performance.
FOLDA’s thought-provoking performances include “WindRush,” a live concept album exploring migration and identity by Marcel Stewart (June 4 & 6 at 8 pm) and “Kinnomics” by artist Iman Datoo (June 6 at 5:30 pm), an interactive art exhibition taking you on a journey examining economic problems and kinship.
Visit FOLDA’s website to learn more and purchase your tickets.
YGK Craft Beer Fest
Fort Henry (1 Fort Henry Drive)
June 14 noon—8 pm
Kick off summer with YGK Craft Beer Fest, boasting craft beer vendors from local and visiting businesses like MacKinnon Brothers Brewing and SIPS Niagara. The festival features Kingston artisans and food vendors—including Mio Gelato and barbeque restaurant Smoke ’N’ Barrel—as well as lawn games for your kids to play. As you enjoy your cold brew, watch the sun dip below Kingston’s waterfront.
Visit the Fort Henry website to purchase your tickets and learn more about the festival. All ages are welcome.
Skeleton Park Arts Festival
McBurney Park (30 Alma Street)
June 21 & 22
This free annual arts festival returns to Skeleton Park for its 20th year. The Skeleton Park Arts Festival has previously boasted live music from JUNO-nominated musicians, lively parades, local food vendors, community information booths, and vibrant art made by local artists.
Keep an eye on the festival’s website and Instagram for their programming schedule. In the meantime, check out their year-round programs, including art exhibitions at The Elm Cafe—a cozy coffee shop in Kingston’s Inner Harbour neighbourhood.
Artfest Kingston
City Park
June 28 to July 1, 10 am—5 pm
City Park becomes a lively creative hub during Artfest Kingston. Take a stroll around the park to hear local poets present their works and explore booths selling handmade pottery, paintings, clothing and accessories, hot sauces and honey. The annual festival also offers programs for kids, where they’ll learn how to make prints and create cardboard sculptures.
Artfest features an Indigenous arts pavilion, featuring art, sculpture, demonstrations, and performances. Keep an eye on the festival’s website to learn which Indigenous artists will be featured at this year’s pavilion.
There are several businesses in Kingston hosting live musicians starting in May. Read your guide to patios, pubs, breweries, and bars with live music in Kingston to learn more about Kingston’s vibrant music scene.
