Last updated: November 11, 2024
See the key highlights of the festive season in Kingston. Our guide has all the essential holiday events. For those who call Kingston home and those just visiting, this guide showcases the city's festive charm.
One popular attraction lighting up the holidays is the Kingston Trolley Tours Christmas Light Tour, where you can sit back and enjoy a scenic ride through neighborhoods adorned with festive lights. The Fat Goose Craft Fair features local artisans and unique gifts, perfect for finding that special something for loved ones this season. And the Candlelight Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical experience with soft lights and seasonal music. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Kingston Holiday Light Displays
Kingston Trolley Tours Christmas Light Tour
- What to Expect
- 75-minute Christmas light viewing tour in a red trolley.
- Description
- Explore Kingston's festive atmosphere on a 75-minute Christmas light viewing trolley tour. Travel through the city in comfort, caroling along to Christmas classics from the red trolley. This family-friendly tour operates Thurs-Sun from December 6-22nd, then daily from December 23rd-31st.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Kingston Trolley Tours Christmas Light Tour
An Evening in December
- What to Expect
- Over one million lights illuminate historic village settings.
- Description
- Stroll through Upper Canada Village adorned with over one million lights, featuring historic buildings, trees, and fences, creating a unique backdrop for the annual Alight at Night Festival. This event is perfect for families, couples, and friends alike, with activities including a life-sized, colourfully lit toy train and Pommier carriage rides.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : An Evening in December
Kingston Holiday Markets and Shopping
Fat Goose Craft Fair
- What to Expect
- Showcase of handmade artisan goods.
- Description
- Fat Goose Craft Fair showcases handmade artisan goods, offering a diverse array of unique, handcrafted items.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Fat Goose Craft Fair
Kingston Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Multi-weekend event featuring local artisan vendors.
- Description
- The Kingston Holiday Market is a multi-weekend event showcasing local artisan vendors, offering a diverse array of handmade gifts and seasonal items.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Kingston Holiday Market
MacKinnon Brothers Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local artisans and festive activities.
- Description
- The MacKinnon Brothers Holiday Market features over 50 local artisan and food vendors, offering a variety of gifts and seasonal items. Activities include photos with Santa, cookie decorating, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The event takes place at 1915 County Rd 22, Bath, ON, with a $10 cash admission for adults and free entry for children under 12.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : MacKinnon Brothers Holiday Market
Kingston Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Multi-weekend market with local artisan vendors.
- Description
- The Kingston Christmas Market is a multi-weekend event featuring local artisan vendors selling gifts and seasonal items, creating a vibrant community showcase of talent.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Kingston Christmas Market
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market Holiday Evening Market
- What to Expect
- Seasonal market with local produce and artisan crafts.
- Description
- The Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market Holiday Evening Market offers a seasonal celebration with local produce, artisan crafts, live music, and festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market Holiday Evening Market
Kingston Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Candlelight Christmas
- What to Expect
- Classical Christmas concert with the Kingston Choral Society.
- Description
- Join the Kingston Symphony and Kingston Choral Society for a classical Christmas concert, featuring music written to celebrate the season. This beloved holiday tradition is an early gift of music for the whole family to enjoy.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Candlelight Christmas
The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Nutcracker is a classic ballet performance featuring vibrant characters, toy soldiers, and Clara's journey with her magical Nutcracker. This holiday tradition transports audiences to a world filled with enchanting moments that warm the heart.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : The Nutcracker
Christmas with Johnny Reid
- What to Expect
- Full band show with Johnny Reid and special guest performances.
- Description
- Join Johnny Reid and his band for a joyful celebration of holiday spirit, featuring personal favorites, cherished classics, and inspiring stories.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Christmas with Johnny Reid
The Jersey Nights Before Christmas
- What to Expect
- Nostalgic Christmas concert with legendary music.
- Description
- The Jersey Nights Before Christmas Show features four superb vocalists performing legendary music by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, along with a live band, in a nostalgic and entertaining Christmas presentation.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : The Jersey Nights Before Christmas
A Christmas Story
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming tale of family resilience during the Great Depression.
- Description
- The Homecoming, a Christmas Story, is a holiday drama-comedy adapted by Christopher Sergel, directed by Penny Nash. The story follows the Spencer family living at the foot of a Virginia mountain during the Great Depression. Clay-Boy is stuck with an unusual responsibility as his father is long overdue returning home, leading to a climactic ending that reveals the understanding and strength of a loving family.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : A Christmas Story
Tyffanie’s Holiday Spice drag show & party
- What to Expect
- A dynamic drag show fundraiser for a good cause.
- Description
- Tyffanie’s Holiday Spice is a vibrant drag show fundraiser for Rainbow Railroad, featuring a dynamic lineup of performers and a night of entertainment.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Tyffanie’s Holiday Spice drag show & party
Another Celtic Christmas
- What to Expect
- Family affair featuring renowned fiddlers and their children.
- Description
- Renowned Canadian musicians Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy bring their Celtic heritage to life with a heartwarming celebration of traditional fiddle music, dance, and holiday spirit. Their show, Celtic Family Christmas, features the couple and their seven talented children participating in dancing, singing, and fiddling, showcasing the passing down of musical traditions from one generation to the next.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Another Celtic Christmas
The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas
- What to Expect
- Traditional East Coast Christmas music performed by the MacNeil siblings.
- Description
- The Barra MacNeils bring a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favorites, blending Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses, and festive traditions. Their captivating vocals, distinctive harmonies, and extraordinary musicianship inject new life into the sights and sounds of Christmas.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas
Light in the Dark II
- What to Expect
- Contemplative music celebrating returning light and hope.
- Description
- Light in the Dark II features contemplative music celebrating the darkest season, returning light, love, and hope, performed by Melos Choir and Period Instruments, with guest santur virtuoso Sadaf Amini and members of Kingston's Navaa Ensemble.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Light in the Dark II
Kingston Symphony Candlelight Christmas
- What to Expect
- Classical Christmas concert with the Kingston Choral Society.
- Description
- The Kingston Symphony's Candlelight Christmas features classical Christmas concerts, joining forces with the Kingston Choral Society to present Kingston's favourite musical holiday tradition. This event is an early gift of music for the whole family to enjoy, showcasing cherished Christmas classics and seasonal favourites.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Kingston Symphony Candlelight Christmas
A Tyler Shaw Christmas
- What to Expect
- Acoustic holiday concert with a mix of classic and new songs.
- Description
- Tyler Shaw's A Tyler Shaw Christmas features a blend of classic and new holiday songs, showcasing his acoustic and pop-rock talents in a heartfelt celebration of the season.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : A Tyler Shaw Christmas
Celebrating the holidays with Miss Emily
- What to Expect
- Amplified performance featuring an angelic voice with sultry devilishness.
- Description
- Miss Emily's performances are foot-stomping, heart-wrenching adventures in rhythm, blues, jazz, and rock and roll. With over 15 years of captivating listeners across Canada, the US, and the UK, she brings a unique blend of passion and talent to the stage. Her remarkable artistry and holiday tunes make for an unforgettable experience.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Celebrating the holidays with Miss Emily
Kingston Other Holiday Activities
3rd Annual Family Winter Gala
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly activities and community engagement.
- Description
- The 3rd Annual Family Winter Gala is a delightful event featuring family-friendly activities, entertainment, and community engagement. It offers a variety of fun and educational experiences for all ages, fostering a sense of community and joy during the winter season.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : 3rd Annual Family Winter Gala
Christmas in Rosewood
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebrations with local traditions and cultural performances.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season in Westport, Canada, with a variety of festive events and activities. Enjoy local traditions, cultural performances, and community gatherings that bring people together to celebrate special days.
- Where
- Kingston | More Info : Christmas in Rosewood
Christmas Cookie Decorating at Buried Acorn
- Hands-on cookie decorating with expert guidance.
- Join Buried Acorn Restaurant & Brewery for a delightful Christmas Cookie Decorating event. Learn various decorating techniques and enjoy the festive atmosphere while creating your own holiday treats.
- Kingston | More Info : Christmas Cookie Decorating at Buried Acorn