Kingston Provides the Ultimate LGBTQ Getaway this Holiday Season

Kingston Ontario is a walkable lakefront city where the holiday season plays out across historic limestone streets, local theatres and artist-run studios. It’s an easy winter getaway with small-city charm and a strong independent spirit.

The season kicks off with the Nighttime Santa Claus Parade in downtown Kingston on November 21 from 5 to 9 pm (details). From November 13 to December 24, the Holiday Shopping Passport encourages visitors to explore local shops and restaurants downtown (details). Handmade gift shopping is a highlight of the season: the Kingston Potters’ Guild Holiday Sale runs November 19 to 22 at the Tett Centre (details), the Fat Goose Craft Fair brings together makers from across the region on November 28 (details), and the Kingston Holiday Market returns to the Tett Centre on December 6 and 7 and December 13 and 14 (details).

For something distinctly Kingston, the Christmas Lights Trolley Tour runs daily and departs from 209 Ontario Street (book here). On the stage, Thousand Islands Playhouse presents It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken at the Kingston Grand Theatre from October 22 to November 8 (tickets), a new musical built around the songs of The Tragically Hip. Packages for the musical can be found online and includes The Tragically Hip-inspired merch with hotel stays.

More holiday ideas, accommodations and trip planning tools are available at visitkingston.ca.

Photo credit Tourism Kingston