What’s open, closed and happening for Canada Day 2023

School is out and summer is here! Canada Day will be celebrated around the community with outdoor fun and fireworks scheduled for Saturday, Jul. 1, 2023.

The City of Kingston has events planned for communities around the city. Visit Woodbine Park, Kingston East Community Centre, and Rideau Heights Community Centre for family-friendly events from 12 (noon) to 5 p.m. Read more about these celebrations on the City website here.

The City, in partnership with Kingston Fire & Rescue, encourages all community members to leave the fireworks show to the experts. The City will host a free fireworks display, as part of the city-wide celebrations. The show is slated to start at 10 p.m. and, according to the City, the best place to experience the show is Confederation Basin, located across Ontario Street in front of Kingston City Hall.

Details on other events in the area:

• Bath, Ont. – parade, live entertainment, kids area, and more
• Gananoque – events start at 6 p.m. at Joel Stone Park: face painting, live entertainment and fireworks at 10 p.m.
• Greater Napanee – activities all day at the Strathcona Paper Centre, including fireworks at 10 p.m.
• Seeley’s Bay – an afternoon of entertainment will take place at Centennial Park, including a parade, barbecue live entertainment and fireworks at dusk.
• South Frontenac – events will take place in four locations around the Township: Glendower, Harrowsmith, Sunbury and Sydenham. Fireworks will cap off the celebrations at 9:45 p.m. at The Point Park in Sydenham.

We’ve done our best to gather details on what is open and closed in Canada’s first capital over the holiday weekend, as well as information regarding affected City services.

City of Kingston offices and services

• All City administrative offices (including housing and social services and Provincial Offences on Montreal Street): Closed Monday, Jul. 3, 2023.
• Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Closed Monday, Jul. 3. In the event of a utility emergency, such as a gas smell, power outage, or a water main break, call Utilities Kingston/Kingston Hydro’s 24-hour number at 613-546-1181. (Hydro One electricity customers in City west and east can call 1-800-434-1235. Enbridge Gas customers can call 1-877-969-0999.) Reminder for customers on time-of-use pricing: for electricity used on weekends and holidays prices are off-peak.
• Garbage, green bin and recycling: No collection on Monday, Jul. 3. Collection occurs the day after your regular collection day. Sign-up at CityofKingston.ca/collection to receive collection reminders by phone, text, or email, or get the free “Kingston Waste” app on your Apple or Android device. 
• Kingston Area Recycling Centre: Closed Saturday, Jul. 1 and Monday, Jul. 3.
• Kingston Transit: Buses run on a Sunday schedule on Saturday.
• Kingston Access Services: Operates with limited service Saturday and Monday. Call 613-542-2512 for information.

Arts and recreation

• Artillery Park Aquatic Centre: Closed for annual maintenance. Opens Tuesday, Jul. 4, 2023.
• Kingston Frontenac Public Library: All branches are closed Saturday. Services and digital collections can be accessed online. Don’t have a library card? Register online.
• CaraCo Home Field and Arenas: Closed Saturday.
• INVISTA Centre: Closed Saturday.
• Rideau Heights Community Centre & Library: Open on Saturday, July 1 from 12 to 5 p.m. for Canada Day events only.
• Kingston East Community Centre: Open on Saturday, July 1 from 12 to 5 p.m. for Canada Day events only.
• Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Confederation Basin marinas: Open Saturday.
• Grand Theatre Box Office: Open Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online 24 hours a day at kingstongrand.ca.

Shopping

Some shops and grocery stores will be closed or have reduced hours on Saturday, Jul. 1, 2023. Please check with individual locations for store hours. Here is what we know regarding closures:

• The Cataraqui Centre will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Walmart will be open.
• Costco will be closed.
• Both Loblaws locations will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• The No Frills on Coverdale Drive will be closed, according to staff, and the Division Street location is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• All Metro locations will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The Food Basics downtown will be closed, all other locations will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Farm Boy will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Foodland location in Amherstview will be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• FreshCo will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Van Wart’s Your Independent Grocer will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• All LCBO locations will be closed.
• Beer Store locations vary: The Dalton Avenue and Bath Road locations will be closed; Concession Street, Midland Avenue and Princess Street, will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open throughout the weekend for regular hours, but some may vary. 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 Saturday and/or Monday. 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 Twitter, Facebook or via our contact page any time.