Labour Day long weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, exhibitions and more.
Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7, 2026
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Kingston Labour Day Parade
Hosted at McBurney Park (Skeleton Park) on Monday, September 7th, this year’s event promises to be a vibrant, family-friendly day filled with energy, solidarity, and community spirit. Details
Monday, September 7, 2026
Parade to City Hall | 10:00 AM
McBurney Park (Skeleton Park), 30 Alma Street, Kingston
Fort Henry National Historic Site
Visit Kingston’s historic site and living history museum, Fort Henry, where visitors enter the realm of 19th-century military life in the beautiful fortification originally built in the 1830s. History comes alive at Fort Henry. Enjoy a self-guided tour, along with rifle firing, music, and artillery demonstrations taking place every hour. Talented Fort Henry Guards will be stationed throughout the Fort to offer interpretation experiences. Details
Daily, until September 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Last ticket sold at 4:30 PM
Fort Henry National Historic Site, 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston
$0 – $20
You may like:
Sunflower Fields and Mazes in Ontario
A visit to a sunflower farm is surely a cause for a smile, photo ops, and plenty of sunshine. Walk on a path through a sea of yellow flowers and purchase a specialty product from a store on-site to commemorate your summer experience. In Ontario, these flowers bloom for about two weeks only from early to late August/early September. Details
If you’re just interested in sunflowers, consider calling the farm to learn more about the bloom conditions.
Corn Mazes in Ontario
Get lost in 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
Explore Eastern Ontario
II. Live Music/Theatre/Performing Arts
Drive-in Movies
What better way to spend an enjoyable time with family than to watch a movie under the stars?
Movies at Port Elmsley Drive-in
For ideas, see Check out the Drive-In Theatres in Ontario
Various dates
III. Exhibitions, Festivals & Other Events
Labour Day Community Picnic
Enjoy live music, free food, and family activities. Bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Details
Monday, September 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Lake Ontario Park, Kingston
Free
Kingston Legion 560 BBQ
Enjoy live entertainment and a community barbecue with live music featuring Spencer Green. Details
Monday, September 7, 2026 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Royal Canadian Legion 560, Kingston
Free
Paranormal Cirque Nightmare
Paranormal Cirque blends circus, theatre and cabaret into a thrilling journey through a dark, fantastical world. Beneath the striped big top, acrobats, illusionists, mysterious creatures and unusual performers combine breathtaking circus skills with comedy, suspense and fear. Details
August 28 to September 6, 2026
Cataraqui Centre, 945 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
$30.00 – $85.00
Play Me Kingston
This summer, downtown Kingston becomes a living gallery with Play Me Kingston, a new public art experience featuring 11 custom-designed guitar sculptures created by local and regional artists. Details
mid-August to November 1, 2026
Various locations across Kingston
Free
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 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 100 Adventures in Ontario Provincial Parks
- 25 Nature and Wilderness Adventures in Ontario
- 25 Outdoor Adventures in and around Kingston
Classic Kingston
Take a guided stroll through historical downtown Kingston as part of an intimate group led by a passionate local guide, helping you to discover Canada’s original capital city, while savouring the very best in local cuisine. The ‘Classic Kingston’ tour offers a local’s perspective into Kingston’s culture through its delicious food, history and unique architecture. The tour includes exclusive tastings at the very best local restaurants in downtown Kingston, while highlighting points of interest to weave a seamless story of people and events that have made Kingston a premier destination for food, history and most of all, fun. Details
September 2 – 6, 2026
Kingston
$95 – $105
Tapas Tour
An afternoon tour of historical downtown Kingston designed to explore Canada’s original capital city with our local guides. The ‘Tapas Tour’ offers four stops featuring delicious small tastings paired with an alcoholic beverage. A new addition we are keen to share! Ages 19+. Details
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Kingston
$105
CISA Kingston Open Bass Tournament and Street Expo
The 2026 CISA Open bass fishing tournament will take place September 4-6, 2026 across the waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The major event features a guaranteed $50,000 first-place payout, live waterfront weigh-ins, live boat streaming, and the “Made In Canada” Tackle Show. Details
September 4–6, 2026
Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River
Explore Murney Tower Museum
Enjoy a journey into the 19th-century life in Murney Tower. Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Murney Tower, 2 King St. West, Kingston
By donation; Recommended donation is $5.
BEES!
BEES! is a travelling, bilingual (English/French) exhibition that invites visitors of all ages to explore the fascinating world of bees through hands-on discovery, movement, and play. Ideal for families with children aged 4–14, this immersive exhibition blends science, environmental learning, and fun in a way that feels approachable, engaging, and memorable. Details
Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
PumpHouse, 23 Ontario St, Kingston
Included with regular museum admission
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
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 prison 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 about the site and hear about the history of additional areas, such as the hospital, gymnasium, and school. Details
Various dates
Kingston Penitentiary, 560 King Street West, Kingston
Varies with the tour
Memorial Centre Farmer’s Market
Shop, stroll & eat local produce, meats, bread, cheeses, prepared foods, beverages, and crafts, all harvested and crafted within 100km of Kingston. Details
Sundays | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Memorial Centre Farmer’s Market, 303 York Street, Kingston
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
Go Fishing
You can cast a line and reel in that big catch at Ontario Provincial Parks. Do obey any fishing location restrictions in the park.
Weekend Getaways from GTA: Exploring Ontario Provincial Parks
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.