It’s about that time of the year where the colorful lights illuminate the streets and the yards of houses in the neighborhood, and the festive cheer and smell of hot cocoa are a wonderful reminder of the holiday season. Here are some exciting things to do during the Christmas season in the Kingston area, including markets, music events, and plays.
Santa Claus Parades & Light Displays
Nighttime Santa Claus Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, November 21, 2026
Parade | 5:00 PM @ Along Princess Street
Tree Lighting ceremony | 7:00 PM @ Springer Market Square
Along Princess Street to Springer Market Square, Kingston
Free
Christmas Lights Tour
Carol along to Christmas classics on a 75-minute Christmas light viewing trolley ride through Kingston. Experience the city lit up for the holidays. This tour is fun for the whole family. Details
December 2 – 6, 9 – 13, 16 – 31, 2026
Tours begin from the Ticket Office at 1 Brock St. Crawford Wharf
$19.50 to $39.50 plus HST; Infants (0-1) Free
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Places to See Magical Christmas Lights in Ontario
Alight at Night
Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting! Close to one million lights adorn the heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival…a true winter wonderland! Details
Select nights from November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Upper Canada Village – 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg
$15 to $18
River of Lights
The River of Lights is a free holiday light display on Blockhouse Island which includes thousands of twinkle lights, flood lights, and other lighting effects set to music.
Tune in your car radio and enjoy the show from the comfort of your vehicle. Details
November 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Blockhouse Island, 30 Blockhouse Island Parkway, Brockville
Free
Christmas & Holiday Markets
Festive Friday Holiday Shopping Crawl
Celebrate the season with a festive holiday shopping crawl in downtown Kingston! Explore local businesses offering exclusive deals, seasonal surprises, and festive activities. Details
November 13, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Downtown Kingston
Free Admission
The Mess Studio Art Show & Sale
Come support local artists and discover your next masterpiece! Details
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Mess Studio, 130 Clergy Street East
Entry is free, but for just $10, you can savor a homemade soup, bun, and dessert
Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Annual Sale
The annual sale celebrates the creative possibilities of natural fibres – many locally sourced. All items are handmade by our members and offer one of a kind gifts from small to large. Garments and accessories will last a lifetime. We feature spinning, weaving, felting, dyeing and basket making. Details
November 5 – 8 2026
The Tett Centre, 370 King St. West, Kingston
Free Admission
Castagnata Christmas Market
Come do some Christmas shopping, enjoy roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, music and more at this year’s Castagnata Christmas Market – combining our annual castagnata event with a Christmas Market!! Details
November 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Italo-Canadian Club of Kingston, 1174 Italia Lane, Kingston
Free
Brockville Outdoor Christmas Market
Shop craft, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, clothing, spices and dips, beauty products and more! Live music! Food, mulled wine, hot apple cider. Details
Saturdays and Sundays, November 21 – December 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Market Street West, Brockville
Free
All Things Christmas, Gifts & Art Sale
Get into the festive spirit at the Kingston Symphony Volunteers All Things Christmas, Gifts & Art Sale, where creativity meets holiday cheer! Discover a curated selection of handcrafted treasures from local artists and makers – perfect for thoughtful gifting or treating yourself. From cozy textiles and whimsical ornaments to original paintings and pottery, every piece tells a story and supports the vibrant Kingston Symphony. Details
November 27 – 29, 2026
Kingston Symphony Warehouse, 785 Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd. Unit 7A, Kingston
Free
United Marketplace Tour
United Marketplace Tour is a church bazaar with a twist as six United Churches in the Kingston area will come together to host. Crossroads United Church paired with Sydenham Street United Church at 690 Sir John A Macdonald Blvd promises a serene selection of crafts and baked goods. Details
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Crossroads/Sydenham Street at 690 Sir John A Macdonald Blvd,Edith Rankin Memorial /Cookes-Portsmouth at 4080 Bath Road
Free
Artisan Christmas Market
Browse through our local vendors, pick up some holiday gifts, food, Drinks, Crafts & More. Grab your girlfriends and make a night of it!! Details
December 2 – 3, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
4 Cataraqui Street, Kingston
Fat Goose Craft Fair
50+ of the best crafts people from the region and beyond. Details
November 10, 2026 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Grant Hall, Queen’s University, 35 University Avenue, Kingston
$2 Admission
Kingston Potters Guild Holiday Sale
Join us for the Annual Pottery Christmas Show & Sale! Find unique handmade ceramics from over 20 local artists. Details
November 19 – 22, 2026
The Tett Centre, 370 King St. West, Kingston
Free Admission
Fall Metal Rocks Show & Sale
Discover the natural beauty of the Earth at the Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club’s 2026 Fall Metal Rocks Show & Sale! Browse a unique collection of handcrafted jewellery, beautiful natural gemstone cabochons, rocks, minerals and one-of-a-kind creations, all featuring the skill and creativity of KLMC members. Whether you’re a seasoned rockhound, a jewellery lover, a collector, or searching for that special holiday gift, you’ll find plenty of treasures to explore. Come discover the artistry of stone, metal and nature — all created with passion by local Club members. Details
November 19 – 22, 2026
The Tett Centre, 370 King St. West, Kingston
Free Admission
Timeless Memories Christmas Gift Show
Shop from over 60 exhibitors, come and visit Santa, and make countless memories. Details
November 21, 2026 | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Olympic Harbour, 53 Younge Street, Kingston
Free Admission
Tis the Season PM MARKET
Come out with friends for an evening of thrift & late night fun this FALL/WINTER szn. Details
November 21, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Lay Low Cafe, 241 Princess St, Kingston
Free Admission
Christmas & Holiday Concerts
An East Coast Christmas with THE BARRA MacNEILS
The Barra MacNeils – An East Coast Christmas is a musical potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season. Details
Friday, December 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$77.50 + HST and handling fee ($92.28 all in)
Matt Dusk – A Very Sinatra Christmas
Matt Dusk is one of Canada’s most celebrated vocalists, a modern entertainer bridging classic showmanship with today’s viral music culture. Praised by Billboard, Jazz Times, and the Los Angeles Times for his Sinatra-esque swagger and modern sensibility, Matt Dusk continues to redefine what a contemporary crooner can be—timeless, stylish, and digitally viral. Details
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$52.40 – $81.86 + HST and handling fee
The Heart of Winter: A Choral Advent
Music to celebrate the magic and mystery of Advent. The diverse program includes Haydn’s Orgelmess (“Little Organ Mass), Elgar’s lush The Snow, Laudate Pueri by Mozart, a rich and complex version of In Dulci Jubilo for double choir by Praetorius, music from the Rachmaninoff Vespers, Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin, & Gordon Lightfoot’s atmospheric Song for a Winter’s Night. Details
Sunday, November 22, 2026 | 2:30 PM
The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston
$16 – $38 (Plus HST and Ticketing Fee)
A Festive Celebration with The Isabel Voices
Begin the festive season surrounded by the glow of hundreds of candles, where magnificent choral music, piano, harp, and string orchestra come together for an experience of warmth, wonder, and reflection. Our beloved annual candlelit concert invites audiences to step away from the bustle of the season and into an atmosphere of beauty and stillness, where music and candlelight create a moment of peace before the holiday rush. Details
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall, Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, 390 King Street West, Kingston
Adult $38 / Senior $32 / Student $15, plus $4 ticket fee & HST
Christmas With Lionhearts
Christmas with Lionhearts brings an outstanding lineup of Canadian and Kingston-area talent to the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts for a special evening of live music. Featuring Brett Emmons of The Glorious Sons, Tiny Horse, Canadian Idol winner Ryan Malcolm, and Abby Stewart, and the Lionhearts House Band. Details
Friday, November 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall, Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, 390 King Street West, Kingston
$49.99
A Miss Emily Christmas
Throughout Emily Fennell’s career as a singer, songwriter, and performer, the Christmas season has always been a time that unites her favourite themes—community, generational love, and family. A Miss Emily Christmas combines sleigh rides and candy canes with soul music and glittery pink accents. It’s a fun and welcoming celebration that will have you up on your feet singing along and sharing the best that the season has to offer. Details
Friday, December 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM
The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston
$25 – $40 + fees and taxes
Christmas with The Ennis Sisters
Any time spent with The Ennis Sisters in concert is time well spent, but their Christmas concert raises the bar to a whole new level! Rooted in their Celtic and Newfoundland heritage, the Sisters light up the stage with their heart-warming mix of step-dancing and infectious humour, reflection and affection, and exquisite seamless sibling harmonies that showcase original works and breathes new life into holiday classics. Details
Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$70.00 + HST and handling fee ($83.80 all in)
Elvis: A Christmas Special
Returning this Holiday season, the incredible showman, Pete Paquette, and his band, the Rockin’ Royals with the sensational Tonettes, bring you ”Elvis – A Christmas Special”. Details
Friday, December 11, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$56.90 plus HST and handling fee ($69.00 all in)
The Jersey Nights Before Christmas Show!
The Jersey Nights Before Christmas Show! Four superb vocalists, a live band, the legendary music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, nostalgic hits by artists of the magic area, and a special presentation of Christmas classics. This is an evening of fun for the whole family. Details
Sunday, December 13, 2026 | 6:00 PM
The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston
General – $50.00 + handling fee ($54.70); Premium – $59.00 + handling fee ($63.70)
Candlelight Christmas
Kingston Symphony’s Candlelight Christmas is Kingston’s most beloved holiday musical tradition. And it’s not hard to see why! Revel in all of your Christmas favourites courtesy of your Kingston Symphony and our great friends in the Kingston Choral Society. Christmas is a very special time of year, and that perfect-cup-of-cocoa feeling is what we’re aiming for with Candlelight Christmas, one of our very favourite concerts! Details
December 14 – 16, 2026
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, 390 King Street West, Kingston
$10 – $36 plus HST & handling fee
Orchestra Kingston: Celebrate Tradition
December 12th, Orchestra Kingston collaborates with She Sings! Women’s Choir under the direction of Emily McPherson to present an evening of holiday music. Also featured, the 2026 Kiwanis Music Festival’s Junior Concerto Competition Winner, violinist Grace Yeseo Jeon, in Charles Auguste de Bériot’s Concerto No. 9, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves. Come celebrate the season with us!! Details
December 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM
The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston
$20 – $25; Age 16 and under FREE
UNDER THE LIGHTS: A Tribute to the Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas Featuring Thompson Egbo-Egbo
Step into the magic of the holiday season with Under The Lights: A Tribute to the Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring acclaimed pianist Thompson Egbo-Egbo. Details
Tuesday, December 15, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$39.99 – $63.00 + HST and handling fee
Kristine St-Pierre
Let yourself be swept away by the magic of the holidays with the velvety voice of Franco-Ontarian artist Kristine St-Pierre. Her show, Chansons pour Noël (Songs for Christmas), is both warm and festive, blending catchy songs with touching moments — a perfect invitation to celebrate winter and the beauty (and kindness!) of the holiday season. Details
Friday, December 18, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Le Sésame Theater, 1290 Wheathill St, Kingston
$10 – $25 + fees and taxes
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy Present: A Celtic Family Christmas
This Grand OnStage performance is in memory of Walter Fenlon, a passionate lover of the arts and tireless support of Kingston Grand Theatre. Details
Friday, December 18, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$54.50 – $64.50 +HST and fees
Good Lovelies 20th Anniversary Christmas Concert
The Good Lovelies’ much-loved Christmas tour returns this December, bringing holiday classics, winter favourites and a sprinkle of the band’s original songs that you’ve come to love. Details
Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts – Jennifer Velva Bernstein Performance Hall, 390 King Street West
$60 | Youth, 25 and under: $25
Holiday Magic
Holiday Magic celebrates the sounds of the season through music and traditions from around the world. From beloved Christmas carols and lively folk songs to contemporary seasonal music and cherished holiday favourites, this festive program reflects the many ways communities celebrate the spirit of the season through song. Details
December 18 – 20, 2026
The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston
$15 – $37
Holiday Theatre
The Velveteen Rabbit
Embark on the journey of The Velveteen Rabbit, reimagined in the modern day: we follow the journey of our titular protagonist – a shy toy who wants nothing more than to become ‘real.’ In other words, to be truly loved by the child that takes care of you. Through the story we experience the unbreakable bond between the Velveteen Rabbit and the Girl. Details
Sunday, November 22, 2026 | 3:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$19.50 – $25.50 +HST and fees
The Nutcracker
The tradition continues, as families and friends gather to enjoy the timeless magic of The Nutcracker. Featuring exquisite choreography, lavish costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, this enchanting performance brings Clara’s holiday journey to life with elegance and artistry. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s a festive tradition that captures the wonder and beauty of the season. Details
November 25 – 26, 2026
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$48.50 – $59.50 +HST and fees
Cinderella
The classic story of a plucky, attractive, orphaned girl living an oppressed existence under the thumb of her wicked stepmother and two ugly stepsisters. With the help of her friend Buttons, a young aristocrat named Dandini, and an inexperienced but determined Fairy Godmother, she rises above her humble beginnings to marry her Prince Charming. Details
November 26 – December 12, 2026
Domino Theatre, The Davies Foundation Auditorium, 52 Church Street, Kingston
Admit one – $20 + handling fee ($24.70 all in); Child/Student – $10 + handling fee ($14.70 all in)
HOME for the holidays
This year’s theme at KSD is “HOME”, and our incredible teaching faculty, administrative team, and talented dancers have been working hard to bring you “HOME for the Holidays” – a joyful variety show of short dances celebrating the strength, artistry,
and growth our students have developed over the past three months. Details
Monday, December 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
Adults (aged 13+) – $25.77 + HST and handling fee ($33.82 all in); Children (aged 12 & under) – $20.57 + HST and handling fee ($27.95 all in)
O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy
Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario Award-winning duo steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos. Details
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
Adults – $71-$44 plus HST and fees; Students (18 and under or with valid Student ID) – $62-$35 plus HST and fees.
A Very Merry Middle Raged
From the stars of the hit sketch comedy show Middle Raged, comes a hilarious holiday twist on the show that’s garnered rave reviews from coast to coast! Details
Thursday, December 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Kingston Grand Theatre – Rosen Auditorium, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$34.50 – $39.50 +HST and fees
Christmas at Red Butte
Christmas at Red Butte is a new one act musical adapted from a short story by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. The story follows Theadora, a girl on a quest to save Christmas for her family. Canadian to the core, this production transports audiences to a winter on the Saskatchewan Prairie in the late 1890s, where Theadora’s young cousins are eagerly awaiting a visit from Santa. Details
December 17 – 21, 2026
Kingston Grand Theatre – Homestead Baby Grand Theatre, 218 Princess St, Kingston
$25 + HST and handling fee ($32.95 all in); Students – $18 plus HST and handling fee ($25.04 all in)
Other Holiday-Themed Events
Santa Saturdays
Saturday, December 5, 12, 19, 2026
Santa | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Horse-drawn wagon | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Springer Market Square – 1 Market St., Kingston
Free
A Night of Little Lights
Kick off the holiday season with a hands-on paper lantern workshop inspired by Día de las Velitas, the Colombian tradition where families fill their streets, windows and doorsteps with candles and lanterns to welcome the holidays. Hosted by Draw by Night Kingston, a community of social art nights for anyone who wants to make something with others, and led by Maria, who grew up celebrating Velitas in Colombia, participants will learn a bit about the tradition and make their own stained-glass-style paper lantern to take home, with Colombian snacks to enjoy while they work. Details
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
The Tett Centre, 370 King St. West, Kingston
$30 + Booking Fees
Miracle on King Street
Downtown Brockville and Brockville Tourism are teaming up to bring a full day of Christmas festivities to King Street. For one day, King Street will be closed to traffic and filled with holiday shopping, entertainment, activities, and plenty happening along the way.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
King Street from Perth Street to Bethune Street, Downtown Brockville
Free
Workshops
Join us for a fun-filled wreath-making experience, where you’ll learn the art of wreath design and take home a stunning, handcrafted masterpiece. Details
Various dates in November and December
11 Perth St, Brockville
Varies
HOHOHoliday 5k
The HoHoHoliday 5K is the most festive FUN run in Canada! This 5km run/walk combines the magic of the Holidays with community engagement and fitness. Be apart of a holiday movement and join 10,000 Santa’s virtually across Canada who are spreading cheer in their local community while choosing to raise funds to support Make-A-Wish Canada. Details
November 28 – December 31, 2026 | All Day anytime
Nationwide/Virtual Run
Register
Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk
Every year, the Santa Shuffle brings passionate individuals from across the country to support vulnerable Canadians and the work of The Salvation Army. This year will be no exception. We look forward to bringing everyone together for a meaningful fun run/walk!! Details
Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 10 AM
Salvation Army Kingston Citadel, 816 Centennial Drive
$61.59
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.