Grad school can be tough, and it can be lonely. When you are feeling like you need a break and are looking for community, visit downtown Kingston for some of their free summer fun programs. These are great to attend alone or with a group of friends.
Here are some of my favorites and a few news ones I hope to try out.
July 4 – 7 Full day and evening programing.
This vibrant, fun filled festival is sure to bring a smile to your faces. Watch performers from around the world showcase circus acts and magic shows. If you have a little one sign them up for the RCAF Mini Plane Rides or Buskers Boot Camp. During the day it is more geared towards family while it extends for the first time into Buskers After Dark full of fire, DJS and a beer garden.
Thursday Evenings, 8pm onwards, Springer Market Square
On Thursday nights, Springer Market Square becomes an outdoor movie theatre. People of all ages bring their blankets and lawn chairs, snacks, family, friends and pups to watch a movie together on a giant inflatable screen. Generally, movies start around 9pm (dusk) however, to get a good seat, arrive closer to 8pm.
Here is this year’s lineup:
- July 11: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning
- July 18: Barbie
- July 25: The Italian Job
- August 1: A League of Their Own
- August 8: Beetlejuice
- August 15: Freaky Friday
- August 22: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- August 29: Lilo & stitch
Saturdays, June 2 – September 22, 10am – 11am, Batter Park
To end a long and often stress filled work week and prepare yourself for the week ahead, join the free yoga classes in Battery Park every Sunday morning. It is an important time to reset, reenergize and stretch out your tired body. Each week the class is taught by a different yogi introducing you to different styles, studios and practices. Make sure to bring your yoga matt, water bottle and sunscreen.
Tuesdays
6:30pm – 7:30pm Dance Classes
7:15 - 7:30pm Line Dancing
7:30 – 8:30pm Open Dance Floor
Every Tuesday evening from July 9 – August 27, Springer Market Square transforms into a dance studio! Here is your reminder to move your body and shake your hips. It is so fun to move to the music and recharge. As someone who loves Zumba, I cannot wait to try this out.
- July 9: La Vida Bistrobar & Social with Bonnie and Alexei teaching salsa
- July 16: Ballroom, Kizomba and Afro-Beats with Nomsa
- July 23: La Vida Bistrobar & Social with Bonnie and Alexei teaching salsa
- July 30: QSalsa with Tanvir and Terra teaching bachata
- August 6: Ballroom, Kizomba and Afro-Beats with Nomsa
- August 13: La Vida Bistrobar & Social with Bonnie and Alexei teaching salsa
- August 20: QSalsa with Ali and Tamara teaching salsa
- August 27: La Vida Bistrobar & Social, QSalsa & Dansani
There is nothing better than live music. Whether you like blues, country, Celtic or swing, there is something for everyone! I cannot believe the amount and the talent offered this year:
Every Wednesday: Swinging’ Summer, 7:00 – 8:00, Springer Market Square
Think, big band, happy, and fun.
- July 3, Limestone Jazz Collective
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing - July 10 Cranberry Dixieland Band
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing - July 17 Big Phat Horn Band
- July 24 Dixie Demons
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing - July 31 Inner Harbour Jazz
- August 7 Nostalgic Sound Big Band
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing - August 14 Michael Myers Quintet
- August 21 The LaSalle Causeway Swing Band
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing - August 21 The LaSalle Causeway Swing Band
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Swing dancing
Every Friday: Kickin’ it Country, 7:00pm – 8:00pm, Springer Market Square
As a country girl myself, I know how I will be spending my Fridays!
- June 28, Clem Chesterfield & the LA-Z Boy Recliners
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Line Dancing - July 12 Teagan McLaren
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Line dancing
- July 19 Chelsea Road
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Line dancing
- August 2 Abby Stewart
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Line dancing
- August 9 Courtney Kane
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Line dancing
- August 16 Whiskey Smoke
5:00 pm: Square dancing
5:30 pm: Line dancing
6:00 pm: Square dancing
6:30 pm: Line dancing
- August 30Scott Owen
5:00 pm: Square dancing
5:30 pm: Line dancing
6:00 pm: Square dancing
6:30 pm: Line dancing
Every Saturday, Saturday Sessions, 11:30am – 3:30 pm, Confederation Park
Can you think of a better way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon? Why not bring a blanket, snacks, a cup of tea and maybe even your readings with you.
- June 29
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Dave Barton Trio
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Irish Roots
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Celtic Kitchen Party
- July 13
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Django's Kitchen
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Oscar BosSax
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Mauricio & the Latin Beat Band
- July 20
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Adam Chartrand
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Yan-Nick Michaud
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Jon McLurg
- July 27
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Triola Trio
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Two Thirds Down Under
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Clara Smallman
- August 3
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Logan Brown
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Danni Edwards
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Keaton
- August 10
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Third Time's a Charm
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: River Cats
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: KaKaow
- August 17
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Head Over Heels
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Taylor Abrahamse
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Jenica Rayne
- August 24 - A Tribute to the Limestone City Blues Festival
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Pat Johnson
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Blue Syl and the Sweet Home Band
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: RoughMix
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Spencer Mackenzie
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Hellhound Trail
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Sweet Pete & the Heat
- August 31
11:30 am - 12:30 pm: Nice On
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: HoozHear
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Sarah Zanibbi
Princess Street is closed to traffic from the Downtown Metro to the waterfront on:
July 20, 10 am – 5pm
August 3, 10 am – 5pm
September 21, 10 am – 5pm
Locals love to come together to support over 100 local businesses. It is a great day for family and community building. The event is full of shopping, giveaways, samples, live music, and games for kids. I always restock on girl guide cookies.
Saturdays July 20 – August 25, 11am – 12Pm , Springer Market Square
If you are a foodie and looking for a new recipe or would like to try out one of Kingston’s downtown restaurants this is for you! Join a different chef each week to learn a new recipe full of local ingredients. Samples are $2/each. Yum! I am looking forward to trying this out this year!
Thursdays 10:30 am – 11am, Springer Market Square
Gather in the amphitheater, for a half hour of stories, songs and games for all ages. This is especially engaging for littles ones, offering fun and education outdoors. The link provided links to this and other story times offered around Kingston this summer.
What’s better then both free and fun?