Guide to Holiday Entertainment in Kingston 2017
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in Kingston! Today’s guide offers up a wide range of events from musical and theatrical performances to holiday markets, crafting opportunities and snowy outdoor exploration. Have a look and you’ll see there is something for everyone so grab your friends and family and take in the holiday season in ygk.
Friday, December 8th, 5pm-9pm: Market Square will come to life with free festive fun for the whole family. Step inside a life-sized snow globe for a wintry photo, try kids crafts in Santa’s Workshop, ride on the holiday trolley, meet Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and The Grinch, go for a skate and catch a synchronized skating demo at 7:45 (weather permitting), shop the Holiday Market and warm up by the fire pits. There will also be story-telling by Mayor Paterson, music, cider and other yummy treats. Everyone is encouraged to bring along a new, unwrapped toy for donation to the Kingston Toy Drive.
Friday, December 8th-Sunday, December 10th: One of Kingston’s favourite Bed and Breakfasts, The Hochelaga Inn, will host a three-day Outdoor Christmas Market. Vendors will be set up outside the inn offering a little something for everyone on your list. Food and drink will also be available and there will be a stage area for live music and carol singing. The inn, located at 24 Sydenham St., is a short walk from downtown and there is plenty of parking available in the area. The market runs 4pm-9pm Friday and Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday. Admission is free.
Friday, December 8th-Sunday, December 10th, 2pm and 7:30pm: Blue Canoe Productions presents The Nightmare Before Christmas at The Baby Grand Theatre. Tickets are $10.62 plus HST and handling fee and are available online and at The Grand Theatre box office.
Friday, December 8th-Saturday, December 16th, 2pm and 7:30pm: Domino Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at The Davies Foundation Auditorium. Tickets are $20 (plus Grand Theatre surcharge) and are available through the Grand Theatre box office (530-2050) and online until 2pm on performance days. They are also available at the door when available. Seniors and members are $16 at the door on Thursdays. Children and students are $10.
Friday, December 8th-Saturday December 16th: King’s Town Players presents Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Convocation Hall in Theological Hall at Queen’s University. The Christmas classic runs today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and from December 13th-16th at 7:30pm with a 1:30pm matinee on the 16th. Tickets are $20 adults/$17 students/seniors/military/$10 youth/$50 family pass and are available online.
Saturday, December 9th, 10am-4pm: Give your children the opportunity to buy hand-made gifts for special people in their lives at Habitat For Humanity‘s Kids’ Christmas Market. With the help of Santa’s elves children will be guided through the store to choose the best gifts for moms, dads, siblings, teachers and more. Cost of items will be affordable and parents will have a say in the budget for each gift and total budget. Gifts will be wrapped in advance to keep it a surprise until Christmas eve. There will also be opportunities to take pictures with Santa & the elves, drink hot beverages, enjoy a bake sale and more!
Saturday, December 9th, 12pm-5pm: Visit Bellevue House and celebrate the season with a special day of family friendly activities. The historic site will come alive with Christmas magic, decorations and visits with Father Christmas. There will be crafts for the kids and a chance for them to write letters to Father Christmas with quill pens. Make sure to warm up with a hot drink as you explore the site. The event is free, but donations of socks (or cash for buying socks) will be collected at the door.
Saturday, December 9th, 7pm: Join Kingston Jazz and Contemporary singer Michelle Kasaboski for an evening of holiday favourites at The Isabel Rehearsal Hall. From traditional carols to the modern Christmas hits of Karen Carpenter and Natalie Cole, enjoy an evening celebrating the spirit and warmth of the holiday season. Tickets are $15/25.
Saturday, December 9th, 7:30pm: The Taurey Butler Trio performs a vibrant interpretation of Vince Guaraldi’s famous composition, A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Isabel Bader Centre of the Performing Arts. Guest singer Éléonore Lagacé will join the trio for a few songs. Tickets are $19/36/39 and are available online and at The Isabel box office.
Saturday, December 9th, 7:30pm: Come see the 100+ voices of the The Kingston Townsmen Chorus, Greater Kingston Chorus, Limestone City Voices, Walkin On Sunshine, Perpetual Emotion Quartet and Sybil in Yuletide Glow at Portsmouth United Church as they join together as one to entertain with festive sounds of the season, and help get you in the holiday spirit. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students, kids 12 and under free, and will be sold at the door and through participating singers.
Sunday, December 10th, 2pm-4pm: Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is hosting an Outdoor Christmas Party for the animals. Bring your family out and feed the birds, play some games and enjoy a fun winter’s afternoon in the great outdoors. Meet up at the Outdoor Centre by 2 p.m., when the festivities will begin. Folks are advised to wear clothing and footwear that is appropriate for the terrain and weather conditions. Entry fees are: $5.50 per person for adults and children over 12, and $3 per person for children 12 and under, to a maximum fee of $14 per car.
Sunday, December 10th, 2:30pm: The Kingston Chamber Choir presents The Messiah at The Isabel Bader Centre of the Performing Arts. The concert will feature guest artists Bethany Hörst, soprano; Erin Lawson, mezzo; Chris Mayell, tenor and David Pike, baritone. Tickets are $40; $25 for anyone 30 and under and are available online.
Sunday, December 10th, 5:45pm: Join Next Church for a carol-sing. The Next Church band and musical guests will be playing some of their favourite Christmas carols and hymns. Bring some Christmas baked-goods to share and be ready to sing your hearts out!
Sunday, December 10th, 7pm: The LaSalle Causeway Swing Band, along with Young Choristers Limestone present a Christmas Benefit Concert at Chalmers United Church. The fifteen member band will feature jazz and big band standards and fabulous Christmas favourites. Admission is free and donations will be accepted for the 2017 Caribbean Hurricane Relief Fund and the Chalmers’ Benevolent Fund Program.
Thursday, December 14th, 12:15pm-12:50pm: This week’s St. George’s Advent Concert features flautist Allan Pulker. Admission is free, with a voluntary offering collected.
Thursday, December 14th and Friday, December 15th, 7pm: The Celebrate Christmas team is thrilled to present the ninth annual Celebrate Christmas concert at The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. A contemporary treatment of the old and new, this is a concert that the whole family will enjoy. Tickets are $15.
Friday, December 15th, 10am: Parents and caregivers will enjoy Jingle Bell Babies, a festive combination of stories, songs, rhymes and tickles! This is a free, drop-in event for newborns and pre-walking babies at the Isabel Turner library.
Friday, December 15th, 7:30pm: Orchestra Kingston and the Frontenac Women’s Chorus present A Christmas Story. Come and hear favourite Christmas music for orchestra and choir, with special guest Darrel Bryan, tenor at Sydenham Street United Church. Tickets are $25/20, available at the door and online.
Sunday, December 17th, 7:15pm: The Frontenac Concert Band presents A Hallelujah Christmas at Crossroads United Church. There will be a $15 buffet turkey dinner at 6pm. Admission to just the concert is free but donations will be accepted for Kingston Youth Arts Co-operative.
Tuesday, December 19th and Wednesday, December 20th, 7:30pm: Ring in the season with The Kingston Symphony’s classical Christmas concert! An annual sell-out, it is the perfect way to begin your holiday festivities. Hear music written to celebrate the season and sing along with the Kingston Symphony and Kingston Choral Society to your favourite carols. An early gift of music the whole family will enjoy! Tickets are $10-35 and are available online and at the Grand Theatre box office.
Wednesday, December 20th, 10am: Come to Calvin Park library for A Festive Celebration, stories, songs, and a puppet show for children five and under. This is a free, drop-in event.
Thursday, December 21st, 12:15pm-12:50pm: This week’s St. George’s Advent Concert features guitarist Jeff Hanlon. Admission is free, with a voluntary offering collected.
Thursday, December 21st, 8pm: The 22nd annual Holiday Rock Show is back at Stages Nightclub, raising funds for Dawn House, Martha’s Table and KFLA Addiction & Mental Health Services. This year’s line up includes B. Rich, The Mahones, The Huaraches, Deck the Halls with Balls and Kelly feat. Brucey the Git, Deux Trois, Krista Muir and of course, hosts Sarah Harmer and Luther Wright. Tickets are $25 and are available at Zap Records, The Brass, Stages and online. This is an all ages event. Doors open at 7pm.
Friday, December 22nd and Saturday, December 23rd, 2pm and 7:30pm: Cantabile Choirs of Kingston’s candle-lit concerts are a magical experience during the holiday season. The evening concerts, which take place at Sydenham Street United Church, feature all but the junior choir, and the matinee features all choirs. Tickets are $27 adults, $25 seniors and $15 for children 12 and under and are available by telephone at 613-549-0099, at the Church Book Room and online. Tickets often sell out quickly so get yours now.
Photo credit to One Day Closer.