The sunniest season is almost here, and to help you get ready, here are 12 summer festivals happening in Kingston to put on your can’t-miss list. This is just a taste of what’s to come, though. For a full plate of Kingston summer fests, keep your eye out for my monthly lists.
June
YGK Craft Beer Fest: June 10, 12 pm – 8 pm
Fort Henry
This third annual craft beer fest is upping its game this year with more breweries, bigger samples, a full day of live music, and cider and wine options. Fresh local eats from the likes of Dianne’s, Harper’s Burger Bar and others will be there too, as will those unbeatable downtown views, of course.
$15 + HST. Free for kids 5 and under and Cannonball Crush participants
forthenry.com
Doors Open Kingston: June 17
Many of the 25 doors on this festival’s list are open all year, but Doors Open is always a good way to find out more about what’s inside. Think guided tours of the Islamic Centre, a new exhibition at the Pump House Steam Museum focusing on bizarre objects from Kingston’s past, and a display of rare items at the W.D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections Library.
Free
doorsopenontario.on.ca
Skeleton Park Arts Festival: June 21 – 25
McBurney Park
Celebrate summer solstice with Sarah Harmer, Fred Penner, free morning yoga, a jazz parade and way more at this five-day multidisciplinary fest. Every year it welcomes artists from the city and around the world and takes place in and around Kingston’s historic McBurney Park (aka Skeleton Park). The wide-ranging lineup has something for every age.
Free
skeletonparkartsfest.ca
July
Canada Day: July 1
The country turns 150 this year, so you can be sure Canada’s first capital will host one of the nation’s biggest parties. The Limestone Mile marathon, People Parade and, of course, fireworks on the waterfront will make their return, but new events should make their mark too, including the exhibition “Road Trip: Across Canada with Alan C. Collier” at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre.
Mostly free
City of Kingston
Kingston Buskers Rendezvous: July 6 – 9
Downtown
What began as a side note to Kingston’s July sidewalk sale has turned into one of the region’s most popular festivals of the year. The reasons for that rise include the calibre of street performers from around the world who perform and the beauty and accessibility of downtown Kingston itself. The result is a fest that’s attracted the young, old and everyone in between for 28 years.
Donation per performance
downtownkingston.ca
Taste of Kingston: July 30, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Confederation Park
A whopping 5,000-plus people are expected at the 19th annual Taste of Kingston this year. And no wonder. Some of this city’s best restos will be in the park serving up tasty bite-size eats in support of Diabetes Canada. Have your say on the day’s best bites at the public voting competition.
Tickets: $1/each (servings will cost $1 – $5)
diabetes.ca
August
Princess Street Promenade: August 5, 10 am – 4 pm
Princess Street
To “promenade” means to take a leisurely stroll, and the best place to do so this August long weekend may well be Princess Street. Closed to traffic between Ontario and Division Streets all day, Princess will come alive with businesses, community groups and restaurants hosting special pop-up food events, sidewalk sales, games, a climbing wall and way more.
Free
downtownkingston.ca
Wolfe Island Music Festival: August 11 – 12
Wolfe Island
After a 2016 hiatus, the Wolfe Island Music Festival returns this year. And thank goodness. Where else in the country can you take a 20-minute ferry to an intimate island festival featuring some of the biggest names in Canadian indie music? The lineups for the indoor shows and outdoor Saturday event haven’t been released yet, but past artists have included Shad, Constantines and the Sam Roberts Band, so expect good ones.
Prices not yet available
wolfeislandmusicfestival.com
Limestone City Blues Fest: August 24 – 27
Downtown
This yearly big kahuna of a festival features one hundred hours of live blues music on outdoor stages and in downtown bars, restaurants and clubs — all for just a $15 bracelet. The 2017 lineup hasn’t been set yet, but with past appearances by legends like Edgar Winter and Joe Louis Walker, rest assured it’ll once again offer the greatest value of any Kingston festival this year.
$15
downtownkingston.ca
September
Garrison Family Fun Fest: September 9 – 10
CFB Kingston
Garrison Kingston will mark Canada’s 150th with what should be its best annual fun fest. Legendary Canadian rockers Trooper, Honeymoon Suite and Sass Jordan will play on Saturday night, while the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will put on two special shows over the weekend. Also expect family-friendly activities, military exhibits, good food and a beer garden.
Prices not yet available
pspkingston.com
Limestone City Tattoo and Arts Festival: September 16 – 17
Four Points by Sheraton
This tattoo arts fest was a huge hit last year, so organizers aren’t changing much. About 40 carefully selected artists from Canada, the US and elsewhere will be there to tattoo, and vendors will be onsite selling artwork and tattoo culture-related products. Organized events, entertainment and after-show parties will round out the weekend.
Prices not yet available
limestonetattoofestival.com
Kingston Writersfest: September 27 – October 1
Multiple locations
Every year, it seems, this literary festival featuring readings, events and masterclasses gets better and better. In 2015, Patrick DeWitt, Jane Urquhart and Lawrence Hill showed. Last year, 75 writers that included David Mitchell, Lisa Moore and Emma Donaghue were there. The 2017 lineup hasn’t been released yet, but expect more literary heavyweights.
Prices not yet available
kingstonwritersfest.ca
