Guide to Holiday Entertainment in Kingston in 2015

As always, Kingston has a ton to offer when it comes to celebrating the holiday season.  We’ve compiled a list of upcoming events for the whole family from live music to community gatherings and afternoon hikes.  Have a look and start planning how you’d like to celebrate.

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015, 7:30pm: Join The Barra MacNeils at The Grand Theatre for an East Coast musical Christmas potpourri of traditional MacNeil family favourites gleaned from Christmas ceilidhs, midnight masses and the general festive frolic that accompanies each holiday season. Tickets are Tickets are $44.25 (plus HST and handling fee) and are available at The Grand Theatre box office and online.

Thursday, December 3rd, 2015, 7pm: Join The Roddy McCorleys and Fiddle Earth at the RCHA for an Irish Christmas Celebration. The audience is encouraged to bring along instruments to join in as the bands lead a Christmas sing-along with a few fiddle tunes thrown in.

Thursday, December 3rd-Saturday, December 19th, 2015, 7pm and 2pm: Domino Theatre presents Miracle on 34th Street at The Domino Theatre. Tickets range from $10-20 and are available at The Grand Theatre box office, online and at the door when available.

Friday, December 4th, 2015, 2:30pm: Join the Queen’s Music community at The Isabel as they celebrate the Handel’s Messiah. An informal gathering of voice and orchestral students, staff, faculty, and alumni pay tribute to the glorious music of Handel. All members in the Queen’s and Kingston communities and beyond are invited to participate.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 10am-5pm: The Maclachlan Woodworking Museum presents Winterlight. This event celebrates the changing season by bringing the community together to enjoy crafts and the cheer of holiday lights. Enjoy Holiday-themed woodland crafts and events both indoors and out. Light refreshments will be available. Admission ranges from $1.65-$5.45. Children under 5 are free.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 1pm: The Queen’s University Chamber Orchestra presents their annual winter concert in Grant Hall. It will be a fun, holiday-themed extravaganza, with selections from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Polar Express, Frozen, and so much more! Admission is by donation.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 7pm: The K Rock Centre presents Holiday Festival on Ice with Olympic Gold Medalists Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, and Olympic Medalists Joannie Rochette and Jeffrey Buttle plus additional skaters to be announced.  Holiday-themed routines and signature pieces will create a holiday event sure to thrill figure skating fans of all ages. Tickets range from $$35.35-117 and are available at the K Rock Centre box office and online.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 7:30pm: Orchestra Kingston presents their annual Messiah Sing-along at The Salvation Army Citadel.  Tickets are $20-25 and are available at the door.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 7:30pm: The Melos Choir presents A Star in the East at St. George’s Cathedral.  The concert will feature Christmas and Advent music from east to west, 12th to 18th centuries. Tickets range from $5-25 and are available at The Church Book Room, Novel Idea, St. George’s Cathedral Office, online and at the door.

Sunday, December 6th, 2015, 2pm: Trillers A Cappella presents their winter concert at St. James’ Anglican Church.  Minimum $2 donation for admission.

Sunday, December 6th, 2015, 1pm: The Loyalist Township presents Light Up The Season 2015 at Fairfield Park in Amherstview. Enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa, skating, face painting, hot chocolate, games and crafts, a gourmet soup cookoff and more!

Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 10am-5pm: This first annual holiday event at the Pump House Steam Museum will provide family fun with trains, trains and more trains. Come for the Polar Express story time, make holiday crafts, enjoy a hot chocolate, snap a photo in the festive photo booth, and be prepared for a very special visitor. Free admission with a new unwrapped toy!

Saturday, December 12th, 2015, 3pm and 7:30pm: Never before seen at the Grand Theatre, the Moscow Classical Ballet brings its adaptation of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to the stage. A wonderful tradition for the whole family. Tickets range in price from $44.50-49.50 and are available at The Grand Theatre box office and online.

Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 2pm: CRCA is hosting an Outdoor Christmas Party for the animals at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. Bring your family out and join us to feed the birds, play some games and enjoy a fun winter’s afternoon in the great outdoors. Party goers will also leave a special nature present for all of our animal friends. 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

Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 2pm: The Kingston Townsmen Chorus and She Sings! Women’s Choir present a special afternoon concert full of four-part holiday cheer at Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church. Also featuring All The Queen’s Men ensemble, and Martellos and Perpetual E-Motion quartets. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, children 12 and under free. Available from ensemble members or at the door.

Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 2:30pm: The Kingston Chamber Choir presents The Messiah at St. George’s Cathedral. Tickets are $30 regular and $20 for those 30 and under and are available online and at the door.

Sunday, December 13th, 2015, 7pm: The Celebrate Christmas team presents the seventh 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 $12 and are available online.

Tuesday, December 15th and Wednesday, December 16th, 2015, 7:30pm: The Kingston Symphony presents A Candlelight Christmas at The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Hear music written to celebrate the season and sing along with the Kingston Symphony and Kingston Choral Society to your favourite carols. Tickets are available at The Grand Theatre Box Office and online. These concerts always sell out so don’t wait!

Thursday, December 17th-Saturday, December 19th, 2pm and 7:30pm: Bottle Tree Productions presents A Christmas Carol at The Grand Theatre. There will be 7:30 shows Thurs-Sat with a 2pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets range in price from $28.50-38.75 and are available at The Grand Theatre box office and online.

Friday, December 18th and Saturday December 19th, 2pm and 7:30pm: Cantabile Choirs, directed by Mark Sirett, present their magical holiday concerts of favorite carols, holiday songs and contemporary carols at Sydenham Street United. There is a 7:30 show Friday and Saturday and a 2pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets range from $15-27 and are available at The Church Book Room and online.

Sunday, December 20th 2015, 4pm: The Limestone Chorale, Kingston’s funkiest choir, with special guests, Eccentric Vocal Ensemble, and the Limestone All Star Jazz Band, present Cool Yule at Absolute Comedy. This will be a night of funky, jazzy Christmas favourites. Cash bar and menu available. Admission is by donation – all proceeds will be donated to www.saveafamilyfromsyria.org.

Thanks to Jennifer Donley for today’s pic.