Kingston in December: A Winter Weekend Itinerary

Best dates to visit Kingston in December 2026

Several holiday events run on set dates, so choose your weekend around the one that matters most to you. These are the events announced by Downtown Kingston, Visit Kingston and the venues as of November 6, 2026.

For New Year’s Eve, check the City of Kingston’s events listings closer to the date.

Good places for updates: Visit Kingston’s 2026 holiday guide, Downtown Kingston’s winter events and the Kingston Trolley Christmas tour page.

An older Visit Kingston article, “25 things to do in Kingston this December”, is from 2025. Do not copy its concert dates into a 2026 plan.

A two-day Kingston winter weekend itinerary

This plan is for Saturday and Sunday, December 5–6 or 12–13, 2026, when Santa Saturdays and the Tett Centre market both run. The times are suggestions, not bookings; move them around any event or tour you reserve.

Saturday: downtown, Santa, a museum and Christmas lights

Getting around: the PumpHouse, at 23 Ontario Street, is on the waterfront. The Tett Centre, at 370 King Street West, is farther west, so allow a long walk in winter, or take a taxi or bus. It is not a two-minute detour from City Hall.

9:30 a.m.: downtown coffee and limestone streets

Start on Princess Street, the main shopping street, with cafés, bookshops, local boutiques and old shopfronts. You do not need a reservation for coffee; pick a café that is open and on your way.

Walk down to Springer Market Square, behind City Hall. On a Saturday you may find stalls from the Kingston Public Market, which runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between November 1 and March 31. Fewer vendors come in winter than in midsummer. The City of Kingston publishes the market’s hours.

City Hall and the waterfront beside it are among the best free sights in the city. Look out over the harbour from Confederation Park, and stay on cleared public paths: snow, ice and wind make the lakeside colder than the sheltered streets.

11 a.m.: visit Santa in Market Square

For families visiting on December 5, 12 or 19, Santa Saturdays are an easy addition. Downtown Kingston lists free visits and photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and free horse-drawn wagon rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your own phone or camera for the photo.

The square is small and easy to combine with shopping or lunch, but there can be a queue. With young children, arrive near the start instead of counting on the last few minutes. Downtown Kingston’s Santa page has the details.

On another weekend, or if you would rather not queue, browse the downtown shops, stop at a café or walk along the waterfront instead.

1 p.m.: the PumpHouse Museum

The PumpHouse Museum, at 23 Ontario Street, fills a former waterworks. Its steam engines, model railways and hands-on activities make it a good indoor stop on a cold day, especially for children who like machines or trains.

The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Allow 60 to 90 minutes, longer if you join a special program. Check the PumpHouse visitor page for exhibitions and holiday closures before you go.

It is a dependable warm break close to the waterfront, and a better backup than an outdoor plan that depends on the weather.

2:30 p.m.: the Kingston Holiday Market

The Kingston Holiday Market runs at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, 370 King Street West, on December 5–6 and 12–13, 2026. Go for handmade gifts, local art and seasonal treats from many different makers.

The Tett Centre is west of the harbour area. In bad weather, take a bus or a taxi instead of a long, cold walk. Allow 60 to 90 minutes at the market plus the trip each way, and check the hours with Visit Kingston’s holiday guide or the organiser before you go.

Coming after December 13? The market does not continue up to Christmas. Swap this stop for downtown gift shopping, another museum or a café.

Evening: the Christmas Light Trolley

The Christmas Light Trolley tour is the nearest December equivalent of a guided summer sightseeing trip, though it is on land, not water. The operator drives a heated red trolley through decorated neighbourhoods, with commentary.

For December 2026, the tour runs Wednesday to Sunday from December 2 to 20, and daily from December 21 to 31. Departures are at 5:30, 6:00, 7:30 and 8:00 p.m., and the tour lasts 90 minutes. Tickets cost $39.50 for adults (16+) and $19.50 for children (2–15), plus HST. Popular evenings sell out, so check the booking calendar before you fix a time.

• Where to go: the operator’s page gives two Ontario Street addresses: tickets are collected at Waterfront Gifts & Apparel, 248 Ontario Street, and are also sold at the Visitor Information Centre, 209 Ontario Street, and at 1 Brock Street. Check your booking confirmation for the boarding point.
• Arrive early: the operator asks you to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
• Dress warmly: the trolley is heated, but you wait outside before boarding.
• Book ahead: December evenings are popular.

For couples: pair the tour with a long dinner and a short walk back to the hotel. For families: take an early departure so children are not out too late.

Sunday: maritime history, the waterfront and a slow lunch

10:30 a.m.: the Great Lakes Museum

The Great Lakes Museum is one of Kingston’s best year-round attractions for anyone interested in shipping. It sits by the historic dry dock on the waterfront and tells the story of ships and life on the Great Lakes.

In winter it opens Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission is $11 for adults and $6 for seniors and youth, and children under 5 go free. Allow 45 to 75 minutes. Admission does not include the steamship S.S. Keewatin, which has its own seasonal tours, so do not plan to board the ship in December.

The museum’s plan-your-visit page lists closures on December 25 and 26 and January 1. If you are travelling over Christmas, check your exact dates.

The museum pairs well with lunch downtown, and you can leave the rest of the afternoon open.

Midday: walk the waterfront, if it is safe

After the museum, walk the public waterfront around Confederation Park, City Hall and Crawford Wharf. You see the lake and the start of the St. Lawrence without a cruise, and snow and low winter light change the look of the limestone buildings.

Keep the walk short in a strong wind. Paths can be wet, icy or closed, and the docks are not open to wander. For river views farther east, our guide to 1000 Islands cruises in winter covers the Parkway and the Jones Creek trails.

Lunch and local shops

Head back downtown for lunch. With luggage, choose somewhere near your hotel or your onward transport. Once you are downtown, lunch, shopping, museums and the waterfront are all within walking distance, with no car needed.

On December 6 or 13, you can swap the order: the Tett Centre market in the morning and the Great Lakes Museum later. Leave enough time to get between them.

Can you skate in Springer Market Square in December?

Possibly, but do not count on the rink being open on a particular date. The City of Kingston’s outdoor rink in Springer Market Square is free once the skating season has started and the ice is good, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The opening date and short closures depend on the temperature and the ice.

December can be too mild for outdoor ice, especially early in the month, and the city closes the rink for repairs or refreezing. Check the Skating in the Square page and its rink-status map on the day.

If the rink is open, skating is one of the best free things to do downtown. If it is closed, take a waterfront photo walk or visit a museum or the market instead. Never skate on Kingston Harbour or any other natural ice, however cold it feels.

More things to do in Kingston in December

With a longer weekend or a particular interest, add one of these. They also fill in when the weather spoils plans outside.

See a holiday concert or show

The Grand Theatre, the Isabel Bader Centre, local churches and smaller venues put on seasonal concerts. In December 2026, the Grand Theatre has Christmas with The Ennis Sisters on December 9 and A Celtic Family Christmas on December 18, both at 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas is at the Isabel Bader Centre, and the Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Cup runs at Slush Puppie Place from December 15 to 20.

A ticket for an evening show is a good reason to stay the night, especially from Toronto or Ottawa. Buy from the venue’s own box office, and check the date before you book a hotel.

Book a Kingston food tour

Kingston Food Tours runs its walking food tours in every season, in rain or snow. You get history, neighbourhood stories and tastings in one guided outing. Times and group sizes vary, so check the operator’s FAQ and booking calendar.

Unlike the cruises, this is something you can book for December. Dress for walking outside between the tasting stops.

Walk the winter trails near Kingston

With a car, try Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, north of the city, for winter walking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, depending on the snow. Check trail access, equipment rental and any fee with Cataraqui Conservation before you drive out.

Lemoine Point Conservation Area, closer to the lake, has forest and waterfront paths. Winter trails there can be uneven and icy. Give either outing its own half-day in good weather, outside a tight downtown schedule.

Take the Wolfe Island ferry, and know what it is

The Wolfe Island ferry is year-round public transport between Kingston and Wolfe Island, run by the Province of Ontario from its Kingston terminal at 295 Ontario Street. If you want to be on the water in December, it is one of the few ways to do it.

It is not a narrated 1000 Islands cruise. It does not follow the island-cottage routes or go near Boldt Castle, weather can disrupt it, and you need to plan the return crossing. Read the Ontario ferry schedule and service notices before you build it into your day.

Our guide to 1000 Islands cruises in winter has more on the ferry and on what still runs on the river.

What is closed in Kingston in December?

The most common planning mistake is to read a summer list of Kingston attractions and assume everything runs in December. Here is what to expect.

A December trip is still enjoyable, with museums, markets and lights in place of the boats. See Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises and the Kingston Trolley FAQs for the seasonal schedules.

What is the weather like in Kingston in December?

Expect a proper Ontario winter. December usually brings days around or below freezing, with a mix of cold rain, wind and snow, and a white Christmas is never certain. Wind off the water makes even a short walk on the waterfront feel much colder than downtown.

Check the forecast and any travel alerts a few days before you leave, and plan for both a mild wet weekend and a cold snap.

What to pack for a Kingston winter weekend

• A warm, windproof coat, especially for time on the waterfront.
• Waterproof boots with a good grip; sidewalks can be wet or icy.
• Gloves, a hat and a scarf for evening walks and for waiting at the bus stop or the trolley.
• Layers you can take off in museums, restaurants and shops.
• A small day bag with a phone charger, tissues and an extra layer for children.
• Winter driving supplies if you are driving, and extra time for bad roads.

Do the outdoor sights earlier in the day and keep indoor attractions as buffers. You do not need four hours outside in a row to enjoy December in Kingston.

Where to stay in Kingston for a December weekend

Stay in or near downtown if you can. For a winter trip spent at the market square, the waterfront, restaurants and the Christmas Light Trolley, walking distance counts for more than a cheaper rate far out of town.

Before you pay, check parking, late checkout, breakfast, accessibility and the cancellation terms. Confirm any Christmas package with the property itself.

For couples, a downtown room and an evening show make an easy winter break. For families, choose an easy walk back after dinner and confirm the room layout, not only the stated capacity.

Getting to Kingston in December

From Toronto

Kingston is on Highway 401 and the VIA Rail corridor from Toronto. The drive usually takes about two and a half to three hours in good conditions, and snow, ice and traffic can add to that. For an evening trolley tour, arrive on Friday or stay Saturday night instead of driving back late.

From Ottawa

The drive from Ottawa takes about two hours in good conditions, so Kingston works for one night or a long day. Without a car, check the train and bus options, and remember that the station is not downtown.

From Montreal

Montreal is farther, about three hours by car in good conditions, so a one-night stay is more relaxed than squeezing an evening concert or light tour into a day trip. The train can work, depending on the schedule.

From the VIA Rail station to downtown

Kingston’s VIA Rail station is north of downtown, not on the waterfront. Kingston Transit Route 2 runs between the train station and downtown, and taxis wait at the station too. Allow time for the transfer, especially in snow or after a late arrival, and check the Route 2 schedule for your travel day.

Parking in downtown Kingston in December

The City of Kingston runs paid street parking, surface lots and garages downtown. Street parking costs $2 to $2.50 an hour from Monday to Saturday, and limits differ by location. Street spaces often have a maximum stay, so a garage or long-stay lot is easier for a full day.

Parking is free on Sundays and some holidays. Check the City of Kingston parking page for current rates and exceptions before you arrive.

December winter rule: the blanket overnight street-parking ban applies only in January and February, but in December the city can announce a weather-based overnight ban, by 4 p.m. on the day, when snow or freezing rain is coming. If you are staying the night with a car, ask your hotel where to park and read Kingston’s winter parking rules.

A Kingston December plan with kids

Do not overfill the day. A good pace:

1. Morning: Santa in Market Square on December 5, 12 or 19, with a wagon ride if the queue is short.
2. Lunch: a warm restaurant near the square.
3. Afternoon: the PumpHouse on Saturday for trains and hands-on displays, or the Great Lakes Museum on Sunday.
4. If the rink is open: a short skate in Market Square; otherwise shops or a café.
5. Evening: an early Christmas Light Trolley departure, so children are not out late in the cold.

Small children usually enjoy two good activities more than six rushed ones. Leave time for washrooms, snacks, naps and warming up. If you are choosing between more time in Kingston and a December drive to Gananoque, Kingston has far more to do indoors and over the holidays.

A Kingston Christmas weekend for couples

For a quiet weekend for two, skip the children’s events. Stay downtown, have a long brunch, walk past City Hall and the lake, browse the independent shops and book the Christmas Light Trolley or an evening show. Leave plenty of time for dinner instead of fitting in a second museum.

If you like exploring on foot, a Kingston food tour runs in winter too. If a boat trip is what you want, plan a second visit in the 2027 cruise season; the light trolley is a land tour, not a cruise.

Kingston in December on a budget

You do not need to fill every hour with paid attractions. To get the most for your money:

• Free or cheap: walk Market Square, browse the public market, take a waterfront walk, see Santa on a Saturday and skate when the city rink is open.
• One paid daytime attraction: pick the PumpHouse or the Great Lakes Museum ($11 for an adult) instead of several museums in one rushed day.
• One special evening: spend the main budget on the Christmas Light Trolley ($39.50 for an adult, plus HST) or a concert.
• Food: a café lunch and one sit-down dinner, or snacks while you enjoy the decorations.
• Transport: a downtown hotel cuts taxi and parking costs.

Hotel prices, tickets and restaurant costs change by date, so check the current booking pages instead of old price lists.

What if it rains, snows heavily or the rink is closed?

You do not need snow for a good December trip, and rainy weekends above freezing are common. On a wet weekend, focus on the PumpHouse, the Great Lakes Museum, indoor shops, cafés and a booked show. The Tett Centre market is a good wet-weather choice on its dates, because the browsing is indoors.

If heavy snow or freezing rain is forecast, check the road and transit advisories before you travel. Treat the itinerary as a guide: drop optional outdoor stops when conditions are unsafe, and leave extra time to reach anything with a fixed start.

With a car and a clear day, the 1000 Islands Parkway east of Gananoque makes an optional scenic drive; our winter 1000 Islands guide covers it. A December city break does not need it.

Frequently asked questions

December or summer?

Choose December for a walkable, festive city with museums, holiday shopping, good food and a quiet winter break, especially over the first two December weekends.

Choose spring, summer or early fall if a Thousand Islands cruise is why you are coming. The islands are best seen on a scheduled sightseeing cruise, and none runs in December. Our best time for a 1000 Islands cruise compares the months, and our 1000 Islands cruise gift certificates guide helps if you are giving a 2027 cruise as a Christmas present.

For December 5–6 or 12–13, 2026: book a downtown room, see the holiday market and Santa, pick one or two museums and reserve an evening on the Christmas Light Trolley. Treat skating as a bonus, and check every date again in the week you travel, because winter schedules change.

Checked on November 6, 2026. Event dates are for 2026; confirm hours and tickets with each organiser before you go.

Official sources

• Visit Kingston: 2026 holiday edition
• Downtown Kingston: Embrace the Season and Santa Saturdays
• Kingston Trolley Tours: Christmas Light Tour
• Kingston PumpHouse: visit
• Great Lakes Museum: plan your visit
• The Grand Theatre: December calendar
• City of Kingston: Skating in the Square
• City of Kingston: Kingston Public Market
• Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
• Kingston Food Tours: FAQ
• Government of Ontario: ferry services
• Kingston Transit: Route 2
• City of Kingston: parking and winter parking