Kingston, Ontario is a vibrant city that has something for everyone. From sublime experiences in the wild to numerous entertainment options, visitors and locals of Kingston have an abundance
of activities to enjoy throughout the year.
In addition to the permanent excursions that Kingston offers, the city also hosts several festivals, concerts, and events covering various genres like food, literature, music, and arts. It’s no wonder Ontario is known as a year-round holiday destination in Canada. A great way to mingle with the locals and get a feel of the regional culture, these festivals add a sense of merriment and enjoyment to any visit.
Culture Days
Not just limited to Kingston, Cultural Days is a nationwide celebration of arts and crafts. The idea behind the festival is to get people involved, and that is why most of the activities are open to the public. Culture Days events take place during the last weekend of September and feature free activities such as exhibitions by famous artists, a children’s creativity club, storytelling, dance workshops and drum circles.
Kingston WritersFest
A grand five-day literary festival, the WritersFest is an eagerly awaited event by book lovers. This year’s event takes place from September 25 to 29 and features author talks, group discussions, a chance to mingle and meet favorite writers, and A Literary Pub (s)crawl.
Art After Dark
The fall edition of Art After Dark takes place on Friday, September 27 when galleries and art loving businesses in downtown Kingston open their doors from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. This free event features fun art activities and visitors are invited to enter to win $500 towards the purchase of original art at all participating businesses.
Nighttime Santa Parade
The most awaited family event in the city, Nighttime Santa Parade takes place on Princess Street and is not to be missed. Happening in mid-November, the parade will get your Christmas spirits rolling with colorful floats, a tree lighting ceremony and children being invited to bring letters to give to Santa. Like every year, Kingston Transit will allow free rides on all city buses on
parade day.
Now, many festival goers will be aware that having fun can often be a time-consuming affair. Large events mean standing in long lines with nothing to do. Before going to any such festival, it
is always a good idea to be prepared. Even if the venue is central and, in the city, it is best to keep a few essentials handy. A bottle of water and a few snacks can keep you hydrated and prevent getting hungry, so pack them up in a carry-on.
Both residents and visitors to Kingston can also check out Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, just outside nearby Gananoque off the 401 highway, all year round. The casino offers dining entertainment along with gaming that includes slots, poker and table games.
Don’t have the time to drive to the casino? Install a casino app on your phone – remembering to make the most of free spins in Canadian casinos to get a head start on your journey by picking one of the leading online casinos and using its welcome bonus.
Photos: City Hall – Marcus Jeffrey (cc)
Santa Claus – Randy Landicho (cc)
