Discover beloved signature winter events, holiday shopping programs & daily experiences. Come downtown and embrace the season this winter!
Find it here
Experience the Magic of Downtown Kingston.
Things to do in Downtown Kingston this winter!
Embrace the Season.
Discover downtown Kingston's signature winter events, holiday shopping programs & daily experiences. Come downtown and embrace the season this winter!
Winter Events & Activities
Celebrate the snowy season in Downtown Kingston with an action-packed lineup of events and activities.
Festive Friday
November 15
Kick off your holiday shopping in style with special offers & activities around every corner of downtown at 30+ participating locations (hours will vary). Enjoy free gift wrapping & horse-drawn wagon rides from 5-9 pm. Plus, don’t forget to scan the ornament at each location for a chance to win a $500 Downtown Kingston Gift Card!
Nighttime Santa Claus Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 23rd
5:00 PM
Santa Claus is coming to town! The Nighttime Santa Parade will march down Princess Street, with festive celebration! The holiday cheer leads up to our grand finale where Santa will light the tree in Springer Market Square!
Lunar New Year
February 10 - February 24
Downtown Kingston is celebrating the Lunar New Year with exciting Asian-inspired workshops, sales, limited-time offers, food specials and much more at your favourite downtown businesses!
Après Ski
March 2
Beat the chill and warm up with a bevy from The Caesar Company! They're bringing their mobile bar to Springer Market Square on select days this winter! Skate your heart out then cozy up around the fire with spiked hot chocolate, caesars, shooters, beer and more!
Free Downtown Trolley Rides
Saturdays, November 30 - December 21
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Travel in style while your holiday shopping on the iconic red Kingston Trolley with just one sticker on your Holiday Shopping Passport.
Trolley Stops
- Casa Domenico - 35 Brock Street
- The Works - 298 Princess Street
- The Grand Theatre - 218 Princess Street
- The Toucan - 76 Princess Street
Free Horse & Wagon Rides
Saturdays, from December 7 - December 21
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Experience the magic of downtown Kingston in winter from the back of a horse drawn wagon!
Pick Up and Drop Off Locations:
- Market Street by Springer Market Square
- Sydenham Street by Lay Low Cafe
You can also enjoy a free horse and wagon ride during Festive Friday, November 15th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
Santa Saturdays
December 14th & 21st
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Say hi to holliest jolliest guy around! Santa Claus is taking photos with festive merrymakers on Brock Street outside City Hall during Santa Saturdays! Plus Santa loves pets so feel free to bring your fuzzy friends!
Wish List Weekend
December 20th & 21st
Wrap up your holiday shopping downtown while enjoying horse and wagon rides, visits with Santa, free trolley rides and more!
Holiday Shopping
Add some downtown magic to your holiday shopping season with chances to shop and win.
Holiday Shopping Passport: November 15th to 24th
Holiday Shopping Passport
Do your holiday shopping downtown this season and score big with the Holiday Shopping Passport! Grab a Holiday Shopping Passport at a particpating location, start shopping and you could win up to $5000 in Downtown Kingston Gift Cards.
Giant Holiday Advent Calendar: December 1st to 24th
Giant Holiday Advent Calendar
Discover daily gifts from downtown shops, spas, restaurants, and hotels! Enter to win huge prizes from your favourite spots downtown by scanning the giant holiday calendar on Brock St. outside City Hall.
Kingston Pewter 30th Anniversary Collection
30th Anniversary Pewter Ornament Collection
It's the most wonderful time of year, Pewter season! Every Monday from November 18th until December 16th a Pewter Ornament inspired by iconic Kingston architecture and landmarks will be released for purchase. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary this year's collection will include a mix of iconic ornaments from the past and brand new pieces.
A Perfect Gift: The Downtown Kingston Gift Card
The Downtown Kingston Gift Card
The Downtown Kingston Gift Card makes a thoughtful, flexible gift that celebrates the community while offering something for everyone on your list. Accepted at over 150 unique downtown locations, this card lets your friends and family choose their favorites, from cozy cafés and top-notch restaurants to boutique shops, salons, and entertainment spots.
Froid'Art
January 27th until the Ice Melts
Take a stroll along the snowy streets of downtown on an enchanting self-guided art walk, unlike anything you've seen before. Martello Alley presents the Art on Ice exhibition in Downtown Kingston, showcasing artworks crafted by local artists, frozen into crystal-clear blocks of ice.
A Winter Day Downtown
TextI dont know I dont know
Skate the Square
Lace up and hit the ice for Kingston's premier winter experience! Day or night a spin around the Springer Market Square Skating Rink is a magical moment unlike anything else in the city. Don't have skates? Make your way up Princess Street to Trailhead Kingston and rent the perfect pair.
Gather 'round the Fire
After a long skate, chase away the chill with your favourite people around a cozy wood-burning fire pit. Rest your feet, get comfy in bright red Adirondack chairs, and embrace the warmth.
Sip Hot Chocolate
The cherry on top of a perfect winter day skating and shopping downtown is a cozy cup of hot chocolate. Especially when it's paired with a BeaverTail or two. With cafés on practically every corner, you won't have to look far to find that sweet spot.
Find The Perfect Bite
Skating, shopping and sipping sweet warm drinks will work up an appetite. Try something new or indulge in your favourite classic cravings at one of the many delicious restaurants downtown and discover the perfect bite.
Capture the Moment
You won't find a prettier background than snow-covered downtown Kingston. Say cheese over a delicious plate of food or get the perfect group shot around the fire. And don't forget to show your followers your skate routine.
Skate the Square
Lace up and hit the ice for Kingston's premier winter experience! Day or night a spin around the beautiful Springer Market Square Skating Rink is a magical moment unlike anything else in the city. Don't have skates? Make your way up Princess Street to Trailhead Kingston and rent the perfect pair.
Gather 'round the Fire
After a long skate, chase away the chill with your favourite people around a cozy wood-burning fire pit. Rest your feet, get comfy in bright red Adirondack chairs, and embrace the warmth.
Fire pits are lit - Fridays: 5 to 8 PM, Saturdays: 12 to 8 PM and Sundays: 12 to 5 PM.
Sip Hot Chocolate
The cherry on top of a perfect winter day skating and shopping downtown is a cozy cup of hot chocolate. Especially when it's paired with a BeaverTail or two. With cafés on practically every corner, you won't have to look far to find that sweet spot. Or enjoy a serving of spiked hot chocolate for an extra warm kick at Après Skate!
Find the Perfect Bite
Skating, shopping and sipping sweet warm drinks will work up an appetite. There are so many delicious options downtown anyone can discover the perfect bite. Kingston restaurants are putting their best on display this winter with mouth-watering prix fixe menus and irresistible culinary events for Visit Kingston's Kingstonlicious!
Capture the Moment
Downtown Kingston is the place to make memories and capture them! Say cheese over a delicious plate of food or get the perfect group shot around the fire. And dont forget to show your followers your skate routine. You'll discover plenty of selfie spots all across downtown and you won't find a prettier background than snow-covered Kingston.
Share your Winter Experience
We want to see how you embraced the season in downtown Kingston!
Tag us @downtownkingston to be featured in our stories!
Subscribe to The
Downtown Dish
Stay up to date on what's happening in your downtown and discover something new about the city you love!