Celebrate Summer: 17 Things to Do in July in Downtown Kingston
By Sierra Saikaley
Summer is in full swing and there's an endless number of ways to celebrate the sunnny season in Downtown Kingston! Buskers, fireworks, festivals, live music, dancing, shopping and so much more are filling the streets of downtown this July!
July Events and Activities in Downtown Kingston
Canada Day Parade + Fireworks
🗓 July 1
⏰ Parade: 11am - Fireworks: 10pm
📍 Princess Street, Confederation Park & Springer Market Square
On July 1, Downtown Kingston will host the Canada Day Parade of People! Starting at Metro (310 Barrie St.) where t-shirts will be handed out while supplies last, we will march down Princess Street to City Hall and Confederation Park where cake, live music, and fun await. There will be a Kids Fun Zone in Confederation Park featuring children’s entertainment and activities including a rock wall, inflatables, and face painting.
To top it all off, fireworks will light up the sky starting at 10pm. The best spots to see them are Confederation Park and Springer Market Square so bring a blanket, chair, and your friends and enjoy the show!
Kingston Buskers Rendezvous
🗓 July 4 to 7
📍 Springer Market Square
Get ready to cheer on your favourite performers at the return of the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous! Taking place throughout Downtown Kingston from July 4-7, buskers from all over will be showing off their skills for your entertainment.
Featuring an after dark fire show, acrobats and contortionists, musical performances, mini plane rides for kids, and the return of your People’s Choice 2023 winners Seb and Fritzzz this event is one you don’t want to miss!
Buskers After Dark
🗓 July 6
⏰ 8pm
📍 Springer Market Square
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of street performance as Buskers After Dark unveils the creative energy that only thrives at night. Hosted by last year's Kingston Buskers Rendezvous People's Choice Winners Seb & Fritzzz, experience an out of this world show, including Montreal-based DJ Truwayz, Toronto's Dr. Draw and the Strange Parade, the mesmerizing NorthFIRE circus, local graffiti artist EronOne and delicious drinks from Daft Brewing.
Princess Street Promenade
🗓 July 20
⏰ 10am - 5pm
📍 Princess Street
Movies in the Square
🗓 Every Thursday
📍 Springer Market Square
Head down to Springer Market Square on any Thursday night starting June 27th and enjoy this year’s Movies in the Sqaure movie lineup, including beloved classics such as Freaky Friday, Barbie, and Mission Impossible.
Elevate your experience this year and try out the brand new “Star Lounge,” an all-inclusive experience with everything from a reserved prime viewing area, inflatable lounge chairs, and freshly popped popcorn for only $10!
Salsa in the Square
🗓 Every Tuesday starting July 9
⏰ 6:30pm - 8:30pm
📍 Springer Market Square
Dance the night away in Springer Market Square! Take a spin at free latin dance classes in the Square every Tuesday starting July 9th.
Expert dance instructors will begin these free lessons at 6:30pm and then at 7:30pm the dance floor is yours for an open social dance! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, these classes are open to everyone who wants to learn and have fun! Bring a dance partner or come solo.
Rockin’ the Square - Crash Test Dummies with special guest, Piner
🗓 July 26
⏰ 8pm
📍 Springer Market Square
The City of Kingson is once again presenting Rockin’ the Square! This year see the Crash Test Dummies perform with special guest, Kingston’s own, Piner!
Rockin’ the Square is the City’s annual large-scale, free outdoor music concert that presents renowned national musicians alongside local Kingston artists. Kingston Transit Buses will be free from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 26 so you can make it to the show at no charge!
Live 365: Summer Music Series
🗓 Every Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday
📍 Springer Market Square and Confederation Park
Downtown Kingston’s summer music series, Live 365 is bringing over 50 free outdoor concerts this summer! Performances will showcase multiple genres and feature some of Kingston’s most talented and loved musicians.
Catch Swingin’ Summer on Wednesday nights in Springer Market Square, with jazzy, romantic tunes from your favourite local Big Bands. Kickin’ It Country will take place on Friday nights in the Square, so break out your cowboy boots and come on down for some toe-tappin'. In Confederation Park, enjoy Saturday Sessions with a variety of unique artists from different genres.
Chef Demos
🗓 Every Saturday starting July 13
⏰ 11am
📍 Springer Market Square ampitheatre
Ever wondered how downtown restaurants make their dishes taste so good?! Well, now you can find out when chefs from your favourite restaurants prepare their delicious creations (using locally-sourced ingredients) in the Springer Market Square ampitheatre every Saturday starting July 13th!
Following the demonstration, samples are available for just $2!
Potted Potter
🗓 July 27
📍 Kingston Grand Theatre
Get ready for a spellbindingly hilarious adventure with Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff! This uproarious show takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books into seventy side-splitting minutes.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or a Muggle who doesn’t know a horcrux from a Hufflepuff, Potted Potter will have you roaring with laughter. Don’t miss this magical, laugh-out-loud performance that’s sure to delight audiences of all ages!
The Beatles Dinner Cruise with 1000 Islands Cruises
🗓 July 18th
Take part in an unforgettable adventure with Kingston’s 1000 Islands Cruises while enjoying dinner and a show! Experience the breathtaking scenery of the St. Lawrence River with the sweet sounds of The Beatles!
The River Cats present classic hits of the fab four: All My Loving, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Hey Jude and more! Enjoy the lunch cruise at 12:30pm or the dinner cruise at 6:30pm on The Island Star.
Pulp Fiction (1994) – 30th Anniversary Screening
🗓 July 5, 9, 10 & 11
📍 The Screening Room
Quentin Tarantino’s ultra-hip, multi-strand crime classic is celerbating it's 30th Anniversary with a return to the big screen! Downtown's beloved local, independent theatre, The Screening Room, is showing 4 screenings of this eye-popping dark comedy this July!
Kingston Public Market
🗓Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
📍 Springer Market Square
Yoga in the Park
🗓 Every Sunday
⏰ 10am
📍 Battery Park
Stretch it out and relax in the great outdoors with Downtown Kingston's expert yoga instructors. Every Sunday an instructor from one of downtown's best yoga studios will run a free class in Battery Park!
Bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen and water bottle. Tips for instructors are welcome!
Katarokwi Indigenous Art Market
🗓 Every Sunday
📍 Springer Market Square
Featuring traditional Indigenous food, arts and crafts, experiences, music, and much more. The Katarokwi Indigenous Art Market runs from June 4 through September 24 from 10am-3pm in Springer Market Square. Browse handcrafted jewelry, clothing, art and accessories while you enjoy freshly made food, live music and demonstrations.
Stories in the Square
🗓 Every Thursday
⏰ 10:30am
📍 Springer Market Square
Enjoy some screen-free time in the sunshine at an event for children of all ages! Drop in for stories, songs, and fun in Springer Market Square every Thursday at 10:30am. Bring a blanket, sunscreen and your child’s TD Summer Reading Club notebook to log the books we read.
Summer Fun on Sydenham
🗓 Every Saturday
⏰ 10am - 2pm
📍 Sydenham Street
Escape the digital world and dive into a day of fun with Screen-Free Saturdays at Summer Fun on Sydenham from 10am to 2pm. At Sydenham Street, with a variety of toys, activities, and games, every child is sure to find something that sparks their curiosity. Don’t miss the opportunity to unplug, unwind, and make lasting memories with the entire family!
Follow Downtown Kingston to learn more!