First Capital Discovery

Start your visit with a ride on the Confederation Tour Trolley, highlighting the long history of Kingston and some facts about Sir John A. MacDonald that you probably have never heard before! After the tour, you’ll know what you want a closer second look at.


Then visit Fort Henry, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Sentries guard the entrance to this 19th century British military fortress, only to let you in if you are ready to enter British garrison life during the year of Canada's confederation.
You will also visit Bellevue House, once the home of Sir John A. Macdonald. Restored to the 1840s period, and staffed by costumed interpreters, the house and gardens are kept much as they would have been during the time that Macdonald lived here with his wife and infant son.
In the evening, take the Haunted Walk, an evening tour of local ghost stories and darker history. The tour takes place when the lights are low and the atmosphere is just right for a good ghost story. The Haunted Walk tour presents the city

More details here

Fanfayr in Confederation Park

This year Fanfayr falls on Canada Day weekend and Kingston is only second to Ottawa as the place to be on Canada Day... stick around for the whole weekend and check out what else there is to do.

Fanfayr is the Outdoor Juried Art and Crafts Show held annually since 1982, and is one of the Special Events of the summer. Admission is free!

Exhibitors come from across Ontario and Québec to display and sell their art and crafts in a beautiful setting by Lake Ontario.

A wide range of art and crafts will be on view. There will be over 90 artists and craftspeople working in wood, glass, tie dye, stone sculptures, jewellery, oils, acrylics, watercolour, pottery, small furniture, leather, metal, designer clothing, hats for children and adults, rug hooking, fretwork and more. All articles are handmade and unique!

Many favourites will return, and they will be joined by equally exciting new exhibitors.

Summer Movies in Kingston

It's that time of year again, Movies in the Square are back. Springer Market Square in Downtown Kingston will play host for the big screen again. Movies start at dusk every Thursday, don't forget your lawn chair.

Start the long weekend right with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and then come back for more:


Thursday July 7 Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Thursday July 21 Iron Man
Thursday July 28 Rudy
Thursday Aug 4 Father of the Bride
Thursday Aug 11 An Affair to Remember
Thursday Aug 18 Toy Story
Thursday Aug 25 Driving Miss Daisy
Thursday Sept 1 Night at the Museum

Downtown Jazz

The Grand Theatre, The Kingston Jazz Society and The Kingston Arts Council are proud to present the Kingston Jazz Festival from June 23 to June 25. This three day festival will feature a selection of the world’s best musicians performing at the Grand Theatre, a late-night series at the Mansion, live music on porches and a free afternoon of music and family fun at Confederation Park.

The Grand Theatre Back to BASSics Series will feature three of the industry’s top bass players in an unprecedented line-up. The opening night of the festival, Thursday, June 23, will feature The Dave Holland Quintet with Robin Eubanks, Chris Potter, Steve Nelson and Nate Smith. This jazz bassist, composer and bandleader has been a forceful presence on the jazz scene for more than five decades and is a multi Grammy Award winner.

Many Kingston hotels offer a Kingston Jazz weekend packages.

Doors Open

If you're anything like me you love knowing what's going on behind closed doors, and now we can be nosy neighbours together on June 18th for Doors Open Kingston.

Some participating sites include: The Grand Theatre, Kingston City Hall, Kingston Police Headquarters, Sydenham Street United Church and many others. The full list is on the Doors Open Website.