What’s open and closed in Kingston for Christmas and New Year’s 2022

December 20, 2022December 31, 2022 Jessica Foley

If you’ve been out shopping anywhere in Kingston over the past few days, you know just how busy everyone seems to be at this time of year.

From grocery stores to boutique shops, and after-hours clinics to pharmacies, it seems everyone is trying to get things done ahead of the holidays, when regular schedules are edited to allow employees to spend some time with their families and friends for the holidays, too.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled all of the information we think might come in handy over the coming week, particularly if you need to rush out for last minute stocking stuffers, or even if you just ran out of tape while wrapping presents.

Please note that some stores were unable to provide hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at time of press (Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022). We will continue to update this article accordingly.

A reminder from Kingston Fire and Rescue: Never burn wrapping paper or Christmas trees in your fireplace. They burn too hot and create creosote, which can cause chimney fires.

And don’t forget: This year’s K-Town Countdown celebrations will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 at the INVISTA Centre, located at 1350 Gardiners Road.

No matter what you observe or celebrate, best wishes from all of us at Kingstonist for a safe and happy winter holiday season!

City of Kingston offices and services

All administrative offices, including housing and social services on Montreal Street and Provincial Offences: Closed Dec. 23 to 27 and Jan. 2.
Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Closed at noon beginning on Dec. 23 and remaining closed until Dec. 27. The office will close again at noon on Dec. 30 and remain closed until Jan. 2, 2023. In the event of a utility emergency, such as a gas smell, power outage or a water main break, call the Utilities Kingston 24-hour number at 613-546-1181. Hydro One electricity customers in the west and east ends can call 1-800-434-1235. Union Gas customers can call 1-877-969-0999. Remember: for electricity used on weekends and holidays, electricity prices are off-peak.
Garbage and recycling: There is no collection on Monday, Dec. 26 or Monday, Jan. 2. Put your collectibles out one day after your normal pick-up day. Sign up to receive collection reminders by phone, push notification, or email.
Two-Untagged Bag Reminder: Households can put out two untagged bags or cans of garbage for the first collection day after New Year’s Day (the two-bag collection days are Jan. 3 to 7, 2023).
Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC): Closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Reduced recycling depot hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be in place Tuesday, Dec. 27. The administration office will be closed from Dec. 23 to 27 and on Jan. 2, 2023. Christmas trees can be dropped off — ornament and tinsel free — free of charge at KARC, 196 Lappan’s Lane.

Public Transportation

Kingston Transit will have the following schedule changes. Plan your bus trip here.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 – Regular service.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 – No service.
Boxing Day, Dec. 26 – Sunday service.
New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 – Regular service.
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 – No service.

Kingston Access Bus will have the following schedule changes:

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 – Regular on-road service and hours. Office closes at 6 p.m.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 – No on-road service. Office closed.
Boxing Day, Dec. 26 – Limited on-road service, regular hours. Office open 7:30 to 11 a.m.
Dec. 27 – Limited on-road service, regular hours. Office open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 – Regular on-road service and hours. Office closes at 6 p.m.
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 – No on-road service. Office closed.
Jan. 2 – Limited on-road service, regular hours. Office open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Arts and recreation

Kingston Frontenac Public Library: Closed Dec. 24 to 27 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. The Kingston Secondary School library kiosk will be closed Dec. 23 to Jan. 6.
Recreation Facilities: On Dec. 31, all facilities close at 4 p.m. other than INVISTA Centre, which will be open until 9 p.m. for the K-Town Countdown
Artillery Park Aquatic Centre: Open Dec. 24 until 4 p.m. Closed Dec. 25 and 26, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023.
INVISTA Centre: Open Dec. 24 until 4 p.m., fitness room closes at 2 p.m. Closed Dec. 25, 26, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023
Rideau Heights Community Centre and Library: Open Dec. 24 until 4 p.m., closed Dec 25, 26, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023.
Kingston East Community Centre: Open Dec. 24 until 4 p.m., closed Dec 25, 26, 2022, and Jan 1, 2023.
Grand Theatre Box Office: Box Office closes Saturday, Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. and reopens Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 12 p.m. The Box Office will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, until Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 3. Tickets and gift certificates are always available online at www.kingstongrand.ca.
Tett Centre: Closed to the public Dec. 23, 2022, to Jan. 3, 2023.

Shopping

Some shops and grocery stores will be closed or have reduced hours over the Christmas and New Year’s weekends. Please check with individual locations for store hours. Here is what we know regarding closures:

The Cataraqui Centre is open Christmas Eve Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mall will be closed on Christmas Day, and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Boxing Day. The mall then resumes regular daily hours until New Year’s Eve when it will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then closed for New Year’s Day.
Walmart is open Christmas Eve from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. before closing for Christmas Day. It reopens on Boxing Day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, it will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Costco is open Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day. It reopens on Boxing Day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The store will be open on New Year’s Eve from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on New Year’s Day.
Both Loblaws locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and then closed on Christmas Day. They will be open on Boxing Day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 31, both locations will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then closed on New Year’s Day
Both No Frills locations will be open on Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then closed on Christmas Day. Their Boxing Day hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, and then closed on New Year’s Day.
The three Metro locations will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day, and open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Boxing Day. On New Year’s Eve, all three locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then closed on New Year’s Day, and open again from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan 2, 2023.
All Food Basics locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, all locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except the Barrack Street store, which is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day.
Farm Boy will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. Boxing Day hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, it will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and then closed on New Year’s Day.
The Foodland location in Amherstview will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and then closed on Christmas Day. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Boxing day, and returning to regular hours until New Year’s Eve, when the store will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for New Year’s Day.
FreshCo will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. It reopens on Boxing Day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, it will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then closed on New Year’s Day.
Van Wart’s Your Independent Grocer will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Boxing Day hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, the store will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on New Year’s Day.
All LCBO locations will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, except the Midland Ave. store, which will be open Boxing Day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. All locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2022, and then closed on New Year’s Day.
The Beer Stores on Dalton Ave., Concession St., Princess St. and Bath Rd. will be closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. The Midland store will be open at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and closed for Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, all Beer Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then closed on New Year’s Day.
Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open throughout the holidays and some may have modified hours. Click here to search store hours in Kingston.
Many downtown Kingston businesses do open on holidays, but all keep their own hours. Call ahead to find out whether your favourite stores or restaurants are open.

Banks and post offices

A majority of banks and post offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, with the potential for more closures due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday. Call your branch ahead of time to find out.

News

As always, Kingstonist will be open. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the goings-on in the city, as they happen. We will also be happy to hear from you if there is something you think we should know about. Please reach out to us on Twitte r, Facebook or via our contact page any time.

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