Thanksgiving weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions. A few weekday events are also listed.
Things to do this Thanksgiving Weekend in Kingston
Friday, October 6 – Monday, October 9, 2023
50 Activities and Festivals to Experience in Ontario This Fall Season
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Fort Fright
Prepare to be terrified as Fort Fright returns to Fort Henry in Kingston, transforming the 18th-century garrison and National Historic Site into one of the most spine-chilling haunted houses in North America. Details
September 29 – October 31, 2023
October 6 – 8, 2023 – 7:15 pm to 10:45 pm
Fort Henry, 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston
$20 – $25
Fruition Berry Farm Corn Maze
Explore a 5-6 acre maze in a field of cattle corn. The 2023 maze theme is: Amazon River Adventure. Details
Saturday and Sunday, Until October 29, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fruition Berry Farm, 3208 Hughes Rd, Kingston
$4 – $6
Cranberry Harvest
Visit Cranberry Marsh and take part in an experience that is unique in Northern America!! See how 27 acres of marsh that produce around 300,000-400,000 lbs of cranberries are harvested! Details
September 23 – October 22, 2023
Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala
$20 – $60
Pumpkinferno
Kingston welcomes back the beloved Pumpkinferno for its third season, and this time, it’s finding a new home at Kingston Penitentiary. The limestone walls of the historic setting will provide a backdrop for this family-friendly event, offering guests a chance to explore the mesmerizing display of glowing pumpkins while enjoying the rich architecture of the site. Details
September 29 – October 29, 2023
Kingston Penitentiary, 560 King St W, Kingston
$20 – $25
Pumpkinferno
Get ready to feast your eyes on a magical spellbinding display of 7,000 hand-crafted glowing pumpkins. Details
September 29 – October 29, 2023
Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg
$17 – $22
Fall in and Around Kingston
The former capital of Canada – Kingston, and the 1000 islands – a beautiful archipelago on Lake Ontario, are both places to see the best of fall in Ontario. These stunning waterside locations offer down-to-earth fall experiences like apple picking, corn mazes, sightseeing, hiking, and more. Details
Corn Mazes in Ontario
Get lost at world-famous corn mazes or the one nearest to you for a memorable experience with the family or your bestie. Most of these farms also have a whole bunch of other great activities so you can enjoy the entire day picking pumpkins, milking goats, cuddling bunnies and so much more! Details
Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
When Ontario comes alive with vibrant colors in autumn, cities and towns across the province offer a unique environment, and distinct character for visitors and locals to truly explore.
- Bucket List Ideas for Fall Activities and Getaways in Ontario
- Fall Day Trips From Toronto
- 10 Trips for Fall in Ontario
- 10 Fantastic Fall Activities in Ontario
II. Live Music / Theatre/Performing Arts
The AC/DC Tribute Show
You’ll hear hits from both eras, Brian Johnson and (the late) Bon Scott as lead vocalist. The show is an authentic audio/visual recreation of the legendary Australian band. With the stacks of Marshall amplifiers and the grit of the mighty Gibson SG lead guitar, this musical tone is sure to capture your attention from the opening notes. Details
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 7:30 PM
The Grand Theatre, 218 Princess Street, Kingston
Starting at $50.93 plus HST and handling fee
Harry Manx
Harry Manx has been dubbed an “essential link” between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the Blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. The resulting sound is uniquely bewitching and deliciously addictive to listen to. Details
Saturday, October 7, 2023 | Doors 7:00 PM
Bob Richardson Legion Branch 496, 4361 Amelia Street, Sydenham
$46.40
Ready The Prince
+Romes, Foals of ‘07, Gilgamesh. Details
Friday, October 6, 2023 | Doors 7:00 PM
The Broom Factory, 305 Rideau Street, Kingston
$15
The Wiggles
The “Ready, Steady, Wiggle!” Tour is a high-energy celebration of music, dancing and endless fun leaving children inspired, enthralled and eager for more! Get ready to sing, dance and wiggle your way through an unforgettable musical extravaganza of beloved Wiggles hits including ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Bear’, ‘Hot Potato’ and ‘Do the Propeller’, guaranteed to have children and parents alike singing and dancing along! Details
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM
The Leon Centre, 1 The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston
$45.90
Drive-in Movies
Spend an enjoyable time with family watching a movie under the stars.
For ideas see, Check out the Drive-In Theatres in Ontario
Various dates
III. Sports/Fitness
Kingston Frontenacs
Cheer the Frontenacs! Details
vs. Sudbury Wolves on Friday, October 6, 2023 | 7:00 PM
vs. Ottawa 67s on Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 2:00 PM
The Leon Centre, 1 The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston
$18 – $32
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
Parks and pathways, Provincial parks, and conservation reserves are open for people to enjoy some time with nature.
Enjoy a leisurely walk with the family at any of these locations:
- 25 Hikes to Enjoy Fall Colours in Ontario
- 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 25 Nature and Wilderness Adventures in Ontario
- 25 Outdoor Adventures in and around Kingston
V. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Ontario Culture Days
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of participatory arts and culture events across the country. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Details
September 22 to October 15, 2023
Across Ontario
Free
Kingston Waterfront Cruise
Enjoy the unique sights and heritage of the 1000 Islands region with a main focus on the historic waterfront of Kingston; Canada’s first capital city. The cruise passes close to National Historic Sites such as Fort Henry, and includes a lively narration of Kingston’s history and natural setting. Details
For more 1000 Island Cruises, see Boat Cruises Ontraio
Various Hours
1 Brock St, Kingston
Varies
Ghost and Mystery Trolley Tour
Take a tour through Kingston’s mysterious past on the Ghost and Mystery Trolley. This 90-min evening tour takes you off the beaten path to notable sites and notorious neighbourhoods that played a ghostly role in Kingston’s early history. Details
Until October 31
Kingston Trolley Tours, 209 Ontario St, Kingston
$44
The Stuff Stories Are Made Of
The Stuff Stories Are Made Of, is an exhibition that showcases an impressive range of over 180 objects from the City of Kingston Civic Collection, many of which have never been on display before. This exhibition is intended to be a feast for the eyes and will feature objects from the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum, PumpHouse, Civic, Art and Archaeology collections. Details
September 19, 2023 to May 25, 2024
Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Pumphouse, 23 Ontario St., Kingston
$3.60 – $7.21
Spells and Spirits- Artisan Market
Come on out and explore the world of Spells and Spirits. There will be a variety of vendors and readers there! From the oddities, crystals, paintings and broom decor – there is something for everyone! Details
Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Tie One On Creativity Bar, 1329 Gardiners Road #Suite 109 Kingston
Free
Mmaandaawaabi (see a wondrous sight)
Mmaandaawaabi (see a wondrous sight) features the work of Preston Buffalo, Dallas Flett-Wapash, Quinn Hopkins and Casey Koyczan, four Indigenous artists whose digital practice reflects upon and engages with Indigenous worldviews and epistemologies through new media and AR technology. Through their work, and your phone, the artists invite you into their sculpturally immersive worlds to view and engage with artworks reflecting an Indigenous perspective on land, language, cosmology and contemporary realities. Details
20 August–12 November 2023
Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–4:30 pm
Thursday, 10 am–9 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 pm
Agnes Etherington Art Centre – Queen’s University, 36 University Avenue, Kingston
Admission is free of charge; Donations are welcome
Emergence: A Recent Gift of Indigenous Art
Emergence highlights important early and mid-career works of art by contemporary Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island, North and South. As a collection, these works provide a cohesive vision of the approaches and concerns of artists working in the 1970s. Both emerging and elder artists experimented with various media, in drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture, and textiles. Details
July 1- November 12, 2023
Tuesday–Friday, 10 am–4:30 pm
Thursday, 10 am–9 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 1–5 pm
Agnes Etherington Art Centre – Queen’s University, 36 University Avenue, Kingston
Admission is free of charge; Donations are welcome
Juried Art Exhibition & Sale
The Juried Art Exhibition & Sale is an annual fundraising event hosted by Kingston School of Art that showcases amazing artistic talent in Eastern Ontario. Details
Exhibition Opens October 7, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 7 | 12 PM – 4 PM; Awards at 1 PM
Window Art Gallery, 647A Princess St., Kingston
Open Farm Days
Farms across Frontenac County and rural Kingston are opening their doors and welcoming visitors to their farms September 1 to October 15, 2023. Participating farms offer unique experiences based on the farm. Tours include farm experiences that will allow participants to see and learn more, enjoy culinary tastes and many have products available for purchase on site. Details
September 1 to October 15, 2023
Farms across Frontenac County and Kingston
Free
City of Kingston Arts Walk
Explore Public Art
Discover new and existing public art as part of the City of Kingston Arts Walk, a self-guided tour across the city, accessible by walking and/or by bicycle, car, and public transportation. The Arts Walk highlights City-owned public art – permanent and temporary – developed through the City of Kingston’s Public Art Program, as well as existing public art as part of the Civic Collection. Details
Various locations in Kingston
Below! Norad’s Underground Fortresses
Dive deep into Cold War history…for there are secrets underground…
During the height of the Cold War, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) built two operations centres deep underground. These amazing facilities, located in North Bay, Ontario, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, were feats of engineering and a fascinating part of military history. “Below!” shares the history of the engineering, computer technology, and operational history of both the Canadian and American complexes. Details
Monday to Friday | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Military Communications and Electronics Museum, 95 Craftsman Blvd, Kingston
$4.43 – $8.85 +tax
Kingston Pen Tours
Kingston Pen Tours offers a unique opportunity to explore Canada’s oldest maximum-security prison.
Step inside the walls of Canada’s oldest penitentiary and explore the living and working areas, some dating back to the 1830s. Hear the personalized accounts from former staff and learn about the history and the daily routines, including stories of escapes, riots, and everything in between.
During the Extended Tour, Discover more of the site and hear about the history of additional areas, such as the hospital, gymnasium, and school. Details
Standard Tour available until November 26, 2023
Extended Tour available until November 26, 2023
Express Tour available until November 26, 2023
Kingston Penitentiary, 560 King Street West, Kingston
Standard Tour $36.40, Extended Tour $71.80; Kingston Area Residents save $5; Express Tour $23.12
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
Explore our exhibits, take a guided tour or test your shipbuilding skills with our Shipwrights game. Details
Tuesday to Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, 55 Ontario St., Kingston
Adults: $8, Youth (6-16): $6, Child (5 and under): free
Haymakers Coffee Co. Roasting Tour
Join Haymakers Coffee Co’s mad-skilled roaster and creator of many fine things, Sietse Hylkema, for a 1hr, intimate and hands-on roasting session where he guides you through the roasting process, with YOU as the roaster!! Details
October 4 – 8, 2023 | 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Haymakers Coffee Co. roastery, Wolfe Island
$75.00
Shipwrights by Improbable Escapes
It’s all hands on deck! Do you have what it takes to get your vessel into ship shape?! Dive headfirst into the challenge, tackling the tools and techniques used to build some of Canada’s greatest boats at this very location, a hundred years ago! Succeed and you’ll follow in the footsteps of the city’s most celebrated shipwrights, but you’ll have to hurry. One mistake could sink your team, so work together, command your crew, and conquer the waterways of Kingston! Details
October 3 – 7, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston, 55 Ontario St., Kingston
$17.70
The Kingston Public Market
Come and enjoy the local products our farmers and artisans have to offer!
Every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays behind Kingston, Ontario’s historical limestone City Hall, local vendors proudly set up their market stands. Farmers and growers display a variety of products that have been tended to with love and care throughout the season. Artisans and crafters showcase their original pieces that are truly one of a kind! Details
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday | 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Springer Market Square, Kingston
Free
Memorial Centre Farmers Market
The Memorial Centre Farmers’ market began in 2012 as a collaboration between local farmers and the Williamsville Neighbourhood Association to increase access to local food and bring new life to the Kingston Memorial Centre grounds. Details
Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kingston Memorial Centre, 303 York Street, Kingston ON
Free
Rediscover Kingston and Area
There are a number of ways to get to know your city.
- 25 Outdoor Adventures in and around Kingston
- 25 Things to Do During Fall in and Around Kingston
- Road Trip From Ottawa to Kingston: Drive the Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- Getaway to Kingston and 1000 Islands, Ontario – 3 Day Trip Itinerary
VI. Thanksgiving Dinner/Events
Thanksgiving Turkey Take-Out
- AquaTerra Kingston on October 7 – 8; Order by October 4, 2023
- Renaissance on October 6 – 7; Orcer by October 4, 4 pm
- Knifey Spooney on October 6 – 7
- Farm Boy on October 6 – 8
Get your Bird from:
- Old Farm Fine Foods; Pre-order by size range (9-11lbs, 12-15lbs, 16-19lbs). $6.00/lb. Call: 613-546-3276.
Thanksgiving Dinner Dine-In
- Renaissance on October 6 – 8
- Pan Chancho Café + Chez Piggy Restaurant on October 6 – 8
- Open Table listing
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.