Stories
By Visit Kingston
Published December 1, 2024 / Updated November 13, 2025
This season, feel the warmth of festivities and holiday fun with workshops, markets, and live performances. From the annual Santa Parade to holiday markets, Kingston is filled with the spirit of the holiday season.
Holiday activities, games and crafts
Included with price of museum admission
Book tickets online
Holiday Fun at the Museum
Great Lakes Museum Dec. 20–22, 27–29, Jan. 2–4, 10 AM to 5 PM
Take a trip through Kingston to view Christmas lights in a heated red trolley
Approximately 75 minutes round trip
Christmas Light Tour
Starts at the Visitor Information Centre Throughout December
Downtown Kingston holiday shopping crawl
Scan the special ornament at all participating businesses for a chance to win a prize
Learn more online
Festive Friday
Downtown Kingston Nov. 14, 5–8 pm
Live music ensemble
Holiday concert
Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show
Kingston Grand Theatre December 3
Live music performance
A Miss Emily Christmas
Isabel Bader Centre December 5
Crafting stations, nature education booths, and interactive displays
Pre-registration required, three timeslots available
WinterLight
MacLachlan Woodworking Museum November 22
Over 50+ artisans from the region and beyond
$2 admission cash or card (free from 2–4 pm)
View the 2025 vendor line up online
Fat Goose Craft Fair
Grant Hall, Queen's University November 29
Handmade functional and decorative pottery by over 20 talental local artists
Free admission
Kingston Potters' Guild Holiday Sale
Tett Centre November 20
Traditional Italian social event and Christmas market
Carolers, prizes, cocoa, and more
Castagnata Christmas Market
1174 Italia Lane November 23
Figure-skating holiday performance
Featuring skating legend, Elvis Stojko
Stars on Ice Holiday Tour
Slush Puppie Place December 7
Walk-ins welcome for Santa photos
Over 50 local artisan & food vendors
$10 cash admission at the gate (free for kids 12 & under)
MacKinnon Holiday Market
1915 County Rd 22, Bath, ON November 22–23 & 29–30
Presented by Kingston Symphony and Kingston Choral Society
Candlelight Christmas
Isabel Bader Centre December 15, 16, 17
New Year's Eve silent disco
Ring in the new year with dancing and festive lights
Neon New Year's Eve
DoubleTree by Hilton Kingston December 31
Over 20 local artists with handcrafted goods
Nexus Holiday Artisan Alley
Kingston Nexus December 6
Candlelit concert
Featuring a choral, harp, string, and piano ensemble
A Festive Celebration
Isabel Bader Centre November 29, 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm
Featuring the Good Lovelies and their Merry Men
Good Lovelies Christmas Concert
Isabel Bader Centre December 19, 8 pm
Located at Thompson Drill Hall, CFB Kingston
$3 cash entry fee. Kids under 12 are free.
Proceeds go towards the Military Veteran Program Plus
CFB Craft Sale
Thompson Drill Hall November 22–23
Handcrafted goods by local artists and makers
All Things Christmas Gifts & Art Sale
Kingston Symphony Warehouse November 21–23
Catch the Santa Claus parade as it makes its way down Princess Street
Ends at Springer Market Square, where Santa will light the tree
Tree lighting at 7 pm
Nighttime Santa Claus Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Princess St. to Springer Market Square November 22, 5–7 pm
Stop by for a photo with Santa
Located at Santa's Village outside City Hall
Santa Saturdays
Santa's Village, Brock St. outside City Hall December 13 & 20, noon–2 pm
John D. Huston as Charles Dickens for A Christmas Carol
Three available performances on December 21, 2025
A Christmas Carol
Tett Centre December 21, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm
60 vendors every weekend
Located at The Malting Tower, The Rehearsal Hall, and The Gallery at the Tett Centre
The Kingston Holiday Market
Tett Centre November 29 & 30, December 6 & 7, 13 & 14
Over 60 vendors available
Timeless Memories Christmas Gift Show
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour November 22, 9 am–4 pm
Beverages and snacks available for sale in the lobby
Live performance with sing-along carols, silver bells and more
Orchestra Kingston presents: Holiday Magic
The Spire December 13 & 20, noon–2 pm
Traditional Irish ensemble
Danú: An Emerald Isle Christmas
Kingston Grand Theatre Dec. 8, 3 pm
Printing for Giving | Rideau Building, 207 Stuart St. | Tuesdays, 11 November–2 December
Jann Arden Christmas Tour | Kingston Grand Theatre | December 20
Share this story
Live music
25 Things: Holiday Concert Edition
Producer Accelerator Program: Adventures with emerging filmmaker Juan Manuel Huerta Galicia
Kingston’s military history: a prelude for Remembrance Day