Discover beloved signature winter events & free fun activities in Downtown Kingston.
Experience the Magic of Winter in Downtown Kingston.
Experience the Magic of Winter in Downtown Kingston
Discover beloved signature winter events & free family activities in Downtown Kingston.
Downtown Kingston's Winter Events & Activities
Celebrate the snowy season in Downtown Kingston with an action-packed lineup of events and activities.
Festive Friday Holiday Shopping Crawl
Friday, November 14th
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Participating Locations
Celebrate the season with a magical night of holiday shopping in downtown Kingston! Explore over 20 local businesses featuring festive deals, giveaways, and fun activities. Enjoy free trolley rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, and scan the special stickers at each stop for your chance to win a $500 Downtown Kingston Gift Card.
Nighttime Santa Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 22nd
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Princess Street & Springer Market Square
Santa Claus is coming to town! The Nighttime Santa Parade will fill Princess Street with lights, music, and holiday magic starting at 5 PM. The celebration continues with the grand finale at 7 PM, when Santa lights the tree in Springer Market Square!
Spirit of Winter: Enchanted
February, 1st to 28th
Springer Market Square
Step into Spirit of Winter: Enchanted, where the season's magic comes alive. Stroll through an illuminated forest, skate under the stars, and gather around the fire for s'mores and stories. It's a winter wonderland in the heart of downtown!
5th Annual Mitten Tree Drive
Sunday, December 14
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Springer Market Square
Join the 5th Annual Mitten Tree Drive hosted by Revel Realty Kingston and enjoy a fun day of horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, a Christmas letter writing station, and cozy firepits with s’mores, all available by donation.
What can you donate? Mittens, New or Gently Used Winter Clothing and Gear, Non-perishable Food Items, Basic Toiletries and Cash
Donations will be in support of Partners In Mission Food Bank, Lionhearts Inc., Kingston Street Mission and the Welcoming Streets program.
Lunar New Year
Saturday, February 21st
Participating locations
Downtown Kingston is ringing in the Lunar New Year with festive décor, fun events, kid-friendly activities, delicious bites, and special offers at your favourite shops and restaurants! Celebrate the Year of the Horse right in the heart of downtown!
Join us for a captivating Lion Dance at 3 PM in Springer Market Square!
Downtown Holiday Shopping Programs
Holiday Shopping Passport
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 participating location starting November 14th, start shopping, and you could win up to $5000 in Downtown Kingston Gift Cards.
Giant Holiday Advent Calendar
Giant Holiday Advent Calendar
The Downtown Kingston Holiday Advent Calendar is back! From December 1st to 24th, discover gifts and prizes from over 30 local shops, restaurants, spas, and hotels. Visit the giant holiday calendar in Springer Market Square, scan, and enter for your chance to win amazing prizes from your favourite downtown spots.
Pewter Mondays
Pewter Mondays
It’s Pewter Season! From November 17th to December 15th, a new ornament inspired by Kingston’s landmarks will be released each Monday. Grab yours for $10 at the Visitor Information Centre, Grand Theatre, or Slush Puppie Place with $25 in downtown receipts dated after November 1, 2025.
A Winter Day Downtown
Downtown is packed with magical winter fun every day this season.
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, and embrace the warmth.
Thursdays & Fridays: 5 PM - 9 PM
Saturdays: 1 PM - 9 PM
Sundays: 12 PM - 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.
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, and embrace the warmth.
Thursdays & Fridays: 5 PM - 9 PM
Saturdays: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sundays: 11 AM - 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.
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!
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