Take a holiday getaway in Kingston and find local goods to fill your stockings; festive events; spas to relax at; and delicious cuisine to enjoy.
Make your getaway even easier with VIA Rail. Centrally located between Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, Kingston is an easy stop on VIA Rail, which provides services from many nearby cities.
Shop on us while staying with participating hotels offering a $100 Visa gift card when you book your visit to Kingston until Dec. 17, 2023.
Day 1: Shopping
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Holiday markets in Kingston
Find unique holiday gifts at a local market in Kingston. From now until Christmas you can get your fix at markets including All Things Christmas Gifts & Art Sale, Fat Goose Craft Fair, Mackinnon Brothers Holiday Market, German Christmas Market, and Holiday Evening Market.
Learn more about the 12 holiday markets to visit in Kingston
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Advent calendars
There’s nothing better than waking up each morning in December to a surprise gift from your advent calendar. Get special “Kingston-only” advent calendars at the Visitor Information Centre, 1000 Islands Soap Company, and Kingston Olive Oil Company.
Check out more Visitor Information Centre merch
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Charming downtown stores
Visit a local store in charming downtown Kingston. Grab some books for stocking stuffers at Happy Thoughts, prepare for the holiday season with decorations from Send In The Clowns, and find games for the family at Minotour. These are just a few of the wonderful stores you’ll find in downtown Kingston offering seasonal options for you. Treat yourself or mark items off your list this holiday season!
Day 2: Holiday activities
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Concerts
Catch a show at Kingston Grand Theatre. Book your spot for the Nutcracker, experience East Coast talent at The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas, and let your inner Elvis fan shine at the Elvis A Christmas Special. See talented performers at the Isabel Bader Centre. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Isabel Quartet, celebrate the holidays at the Miss Emily concert, and see the Good Lovelies Christmas Tour. Watch A Christmas Story performance at Domino Theatre. Groove to the Tyler Shaw Christmas concert at the Broom Factory.
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Spas
Take a moment away from the holiday rush and unwind at one of Kingston’s spas. Enjoy Glow Spa’s thermotherapy and thermotherapy yoga indoors or relax in the fresh air during the guided outdoor sauna experience at Stoked Sauna Co. Treat yourself to a facial, manicure, massage, and more at Refinery Spa and Social House.
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See Kingston’s charm
Experience Kingston’s holiday charm. Take the trolley to see Christmas lights twinkling around Kingston on the 75-minute Christmas Light Tour. Walk Princess Street to see all the festive window displays lit up. Explore downtown Kingston to see illuminated alleyways, singing trees, and other whimsical decorations this season.
Day 3: Culinary treats
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Handcrafted chocolates
Keep your chocolate local with Kingston’s artisan-made chocolates. Visit Cocoa Bistro and select six of your favourite truffles to make your own winter collection box (Cocoa Bistro chocolates are also carried at General Brock Commissary). At Mac’s Chocolates, pick a chocolate bar from their handmade selection (flavours include London Fog, dark chocolate, and raspberry tea). As a bonus, head to Cooke’s Fine Foods and Coffee for chocolates and other treats from around the world.
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Coffee and cocoa
Warm yourself up with a hot drink at a local café. Enjoy one of Balzac’s coffee blends (winter blend, farmer’s blend, espresso blend). Order for everyone in the family at Kingston Coffee and Company (classic hot chocolate, peppermint chai, café mocha). Whether you’re downtown or in the west end visit Juniper Café to get your fix of specialty coffee (peppermint latte, matcha latte, regular latte)
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Baked goods
Savour a sweet treat at a local bakery. Pick up your holiday favourites at Cards Bakery and Goods (gingerbread men, shortbread, holiday cupcakes). Find holiday classics with a twist at Pan Chancho (chocolate chip gingerbread loaf, sea salt chocolate shortbread, chocolate bourbon pecan pie). Head to the west end to satisfy your holiday cravings with scones and cookies at Bread and Butter Bakery (white chocolate cranberry scones, ginger molasses cookies).
