As the weather gets warmer, Downtown Kingston comes to life as we head into our “Celebrate Summer” season! Discover downtown and make the most of your summer with amazing events for the whole family. From Movies in the Square to monthly promenades, there’s never a dull moment downtown in the summer.   

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 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! 

The S.S. Keewatin is a Titanic-era streamliner built in 1907 which transported tourists, settlers, and cargo throughout the Great Lakes until its retirement in the 1960s. This ship is one of the last of its kind and holds a story of Canada’s creation. Two different tours are available aboard the ship: the Passenger Experience and the Engine Room Experience. Take the chance to see a piece of history and tour the decks, cabins, boiler room, and engines! 

The K-Pass is your all-inclusive ticket to downtown Kingston. The K-Pass includes a 1000 Islands Cruise, a Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour, admission to museums and attractions, snorkel kit rentals, bicycle rentals, escape rooms, and so much more!

Choose a 24h, 48h or 72h pass and visit as many included attractions as you like while your pass is active.

Celebrate the summer solstice weekend at Skeleton Park and enjoy a wide range of artists such as Justin Rutledge, Sadaf Amini, Julia Finnegan, and many more! The Skeleton Park Arts Festival is a free annual event dedicated to supporting multi-disciplinary artists and musicians based in Kingston, community groups and one-of-a-kind vendors.

The biggest Pride Month celebration of the season is happening downtown! The Pride Parade will march down Princess Street to City Hall and Confederation Park where artisan vendors and community groups will be set up for the Community Fair!

The party is just getting started because in the evening Kingston's best local drag artists will be celebrating with special guests Denim and KiKi Coe from Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 in Springer Market Square!

The ultimate summer kickoff is happening at Fort Henry! Enjoy local craft beers and mouth-watering food, take part in live music and games at the YGK Craft Beer Fest.

Head to YGK Craft Beer Fest at Fort Henry in style with free trolley rides to and from downtown Kingston. Trolleys will stop at Slush Puppy Place (1 The Tragically Hip Way) and Casa (35 Brock St.) every 30 minutes from 12:30pm to 8:30pm and take you straight to the festival. Sit back, relax, and savour the brews without worrying about parking or transportation.

Have you been looking for a new way to become more in-tune with your body and form a new healthy habit? Bring your own yoga mat, relax by the water, and come take a Sunday morning yoga class in Battery Park! Every week is unique and taught by a different yoga instructor from a downtown yoga studio.  

Dust off your cowboy boots and enjoy some live country music and line dancing in Springer Market Square. Kickin’ It Country features local country artists every Friday of the summer at 7:00pm starting on June 28. 

Take part in an unforgettable adventure with Kingston’s 1000 Islands Cruises. Experience the breathtaking scenery of the St. Lawrence River on a relaxing boat tour. Ranked as one of the number one things to do in Kingston, 1000 Island Cruises offers both sightseeing and dining tours, along with the ability to host private events on board.  

Step into the shadows of history and explore the storied halls of Kingston Penitentiary. Examine the labyrinthine corridors, the lives of both inmates, infamous escapes, and the inner workings of Canada's most notorious prison. This 1.5-hour experience reveals every corner of this iconic landmark, perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and families looking for a unique adventure. 

Storm Fort Henry in a 5km race, featuring 20 obstacles designed to challenge strength and grow team spirit. With a combination of modern and historical themes, the race incorporates climbing, crawling, and jumping. While registration is closed, spectators are welcome to attend the event and cheer the teams on! There will be spectator zones set up on the day of the race and viewers can come in for no additional fee. After the event, purchase a ticket and attend YGK Beer Fest hosted on the hill at Fort Henry! 

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. View handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and accessories. View art and enjoy freshly made food while taking in live music and demonstrations. 

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 and sunscreen and your child’s TD Summer Reading Club notebook to log the books we read. Enjoy some screen-free time in the sunshine! 

Escape the digital world and dive into a day of fun with Screen-Free Saturdays at Summer Fun on Sydenham from 10am-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!