Festival season has finally returned, and to get you ready here are 10 of the biggest arts parties, beer bashes and community celebrations happening in Kingston this summer, 2019.
The Juvenis Festival
May 1 – 11, 2019
Downtown
Back for its fourth year, The Juvenis Festival is one of only two youth arts festivals in the country. Expect everything from musicals to modern dance to multimedia art to the always popular battle of the bands. There are free youth workshops and masterclasses, too, plus an art gallery in an empty downtown storefront. Everyone involved in the festival is under 30, including staff, volunteers and participants, but all ages are welcome.
Prices vary
YGK Craft Beer Fest
June 8, 2019
Fort Henry
What better way to kick off summer in Kingston than by sipping a cold beer and chilling atop Fort Henry Hill with some live music? The brewery and entertainment lineups are still being finalized, but a few of your local favourites should be there. For eats, think food truck chow like poutine, fresh salads, jerk chicken and gelato from Ontario Street mainstay Mio Gelato.
$15 – $20, plus $3 per 6 oz beer sample
Kingston Pride Parade and Community Fair
June 15, 2019
Downtown
In 1989, only about 15 people walked up Princess Street in what was the city’s first Pride Parade. This year, there will be hundreds on hand to celebrate gender and sexual diversity in this city. Details are still being worked out for the parade itself and the community fair, but the theme is “Remember the Past, Create the Future”. No doubt it will be the most colourful and fabulous fest of the summer.
Free
Skeleton Park Arts Festival
June 19 – 23, 2019
McBurney “Skeleton” Park
This family-friendly summer solstice party showcases artists from Kingston and around the world playing concerts, hosting poetry readings, participating in artisan fairs and way more. The big draws are the concerts in Skeleton Park on the Saturday and Sunday, where past artists have included The Rheostatics, Sharon and Bram, Sarah Harmer, and Fred Penner. Want to let your own creative flag fly high? Hit up the parades, square dances, drum circles and heritage activities happening throughout the week.
Free
Artfest Kingston
June 29 – July 1, 2019
City Park
Every Canada Day weekend, 200 artists and artisans from across Ontario and Quebec set up along the shady paths of City Park to show off their creations. There’s always lots of live music, too, as well as outdoor theatre, poetry readings, art workshops and food trucks to keep you fuelled. In recent years, organizers have also added a First Nations Art Pavilion and a craft beer and wine tent.
Free
Kingston Buskers Rendezvous
July 4 – 7, 2019
Downtown
The sword swallowers, acrobats and contortionists return to the streets of downtown Kingston for the 31st time this year. What started as somewhat of an afterthought to the annual sidewalk sale in 1988 is now one of the most popular festivals of the year in this city. And no wonder. Where else can you see an Australian fire ninja on one corner, a Japanese balloon artist on the next, and a local ukulele quartet playing classic rock covers on Ontario Street?
Performers are paid by audience tips
1000 Islands Poker Run
August 16 – 17, 2019
Confederation Basin
The familiar roar of powerboat engines will emanate from Confederation Basin at 10 am sharp on Saturday, August 17, as competitors begin their race up the St. Lawrence. Drivers stop at five checkpoints along the way and draw a playing card at each. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Be there the night before to check out more than 50 of the big, beautiful hogs, all from across North America, as well as live music in Confederation Park on both the Friday and Saturday nights.
Free
Back to the Farm Beer and Music Festival
August 18, 2019
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company, Bath
Five years on, and this annual field party at the MacKinnon bros’ brewery is showing no signs of slowing. As usual, there will be lots of tasty bevvies on hand — including some special brews no doubt — as well as food trucks and live music all day long. Stay tuned for the lineup, but recent years have included indie darlings The Rural Alberta Advantage and local legends Lost Cousins and Miss Emily.
Price not yet available
Limestone City Blues Festival
August 22 – 25, 2019
Downtown
Few festivals make Kingston come alive quite like this one, which typically features over 100 hours of live blues music in downtown parks, clubs and street stages. Stay tuned for the full lineup, but the outdoor headline shows in Confederation Park, Princess Street and Market Square have featured some of the biggest names in blues music. Last year, for instance, multiple Blues Music Award winner Victor Wainwright (pictured) electrified the Market Square crowd with his driving keyboard licks.
$20/all-access bracelet
Kingston WritersFest
September 25 – 29, 2019
Downtown
The lineup is still being finalized for Kingston’s annual writers’ festival, but as usual, you can expect some serious literary heavyweights. In 2018, for example, the event’s 10th anniversary, about 70 authors were there, including Peter Carey, Esi Edugyan and Thomas King. The year before, the big draws included Michael Chabon, Adam Gopnik and Kathleen Winter. Whichever wordsmiths show this year, expect lots of readings, discussions, workshops, masterclasses, special dinners and more.
Varying prices
Lviv, Ukraine Folklore Festival
June 14 – 16, 2019
Regiopolis Notre Dame High School
Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Lviv, Ukraine Folklore Festival has been one of Canada’s longest running Ukrainian festivals. Visitors can expect 3 days of traditional dancing, museum quality displays, delicious food, and music. Passports are $5 and can be purchased at our Visitor Information Centre, Martello Alley, or Quattrocci’s Specialty Foods. There will also be passports available at the door.
$5/all access passport
