Heat up the Winter season with this list of events.
South Eastern Ontario is just too beautiful in the wintertime to stay indoors. While it can be tempting to hibernate all season, this list of our top picks for events will have you living the snowy season to the fullest. Keep this page bookmarked to refer back to as we add to our listings.
When: December 3rd to 17th, 2022
Get your finger on the pulse of upcoming musicians that are just moments away from their big break. For the entire month of December you can enjoy local music in the stunning downtown Kingston, right next to city hall. Every weekend local musicians will be sharing their talents, while you warm up with hot apple cider beside an outdoor firepit. Keep an eye out as the talent lineup will be listed soon!
When: January-March 2023
Mouth-watering menus + local chefs + special events = a premier prix fixe culinary experience! Couple that with stellar stay packages and Kingstonlicious will warm your heart and delight your palate. Pro tip: Get $100 when you book a Kingstonlicious stay package!
When: January 21st to March 14th, 2023
Light up your winter and take in the Optik Installation on Market Street next to Springer Market Square from January 21 to February 10! With the spin of a wheel, light and sound combine to create a colourful symphony! Totally hands on and ready to enhance your epic nights in Downtown Kingston. Each of the 10 Optik displays has its own sound. Discover them all! Lace up your skates and experience an enchanting Canadian pastime in the heart of the city by skating on the rink at Market Square. Then stroll to Confederation Park and get hands on at the Northern Lights interactive experience from February 15 to March 14.
When: January 26 to February 5, 2023
Get ready for the 24th annual Reelout Queer Film Festival happening from January 26 to February 5 at the Screening Room in Kingston! Featuring 76 short and feature-length stories, with a special focus on Trans Cinema and on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the theme for this year is Better Together. Be sure to check out the opening night shindig at the Broom Factory with live music, cabaret and drag!
When: December 1st – April 2nd, 2023
Looking for a winter refresh? This is it! Located at The Frontenac Club, sessions at Stoked Sauna Co. include sauna bathing for wellness and deep, healthful connections. Be guided through a 75-minute thermal cycle in the custom-made sauna on the patio and leave feeling relaxed and invigorated. Discover the benefits of natural and Nordic!
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When: December 11th to 18th, 2022
Having been on hiatus since 2019, the World Junior A Challenge will be representing Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League, Hockey Eastern Ontario and NHL Central Scouting with a series of games where the top four teams can advance for their chance to win the World Junior A gold medal on December 18th!
When: Various Dates this Winter
Check out live music happening and special events at The Cove. Featuring Krief, Angelique Francis, Young Petty Stones, and more!
When: January 27th, 2023
Celebrate the famous bard in the Scottish tradition – now a Westport tradition! Join in the fun on Robbie Burns Day at The Cove in Westport on Friday, January 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Don’t miss the piping in of the haggis and the “Address to the Lassies”. Enjoy a traditional style Burns supper and music by Turpin’s Trail.
When: January 28th, 2023
Feel the thrill of watching world-class curlers from Scotland compete at the Prescott Curling Club on January 28, 2023 – and even in an outdoor game on the ice at the Sandra S. Lawn Harbour and Marina! The Strathcona Cup Tour dates back to 1902 and features Scottish and Canadian rinks competing over several tours. Opening ceremonies start at 9:30 a.m. at the curling club with matches throughout the day.
When: February 3rd to 5th, 2023
For almost three decades the community has come together to celebrate the cold weather with the Skate the Lake community event! Enjoy free hot dogs, hot chocolate, skating and fireworks on the Bay on Friday, wagon rides and activities on Saturday, as well as live entertainment and a silent auction wrapping up Sunday. Skaters can take part in 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K races and show off their skills in Portland this February, so register now!
When: February 3rd to 5th, 2023
This weekend-long festival embracing winter is set for February 3 to 5, 2023. It’s celebrating 29 years with free hot dogs, hot chocolate, skating and fireworks on the Bay on Friday, wagon rides and activities on Saturday, as well as live entertainment and a silent auction wrapping up Sunday. Be a penguin for the weekend and waddle your way to a true community winter wake up event!
When: February 3 to 5th, 2023
Set for February 3 to 5, 2023, the inaugural Kemptville Winter Carnival is set for success at Riverside Park. While plans for the skateway have been postponed due to the unpredictability of temperatures and ice, the Kemptville Winter Carnival promises a perfect family event with food, hot chocolate, kids’ activities, sleigh rides, snow sculptures and entertainment. We hear there will even be fire dancers – and BeaverTails! Sign us up.
When: February 11th, 2023
Be spellbound this winter! Stop in to this welcoming and comfortable space and participate in the Olde Magick Psychic Show on February 11, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find tarot readings, oracle readings, or meet with a psychic medium. Discover the shop – and a little something about yourself. Pre-book a reading or drop in!
When: February 17th, 2023
The ever-popular Blues on the Rideau series at The Cove in Westport continues to enchant, entertain – and support the community! Coming up on February 17 is Australia’s Lloyd Spiegel and Ontario’s Suzie Vinnick whose dynamite music and vocals can’t be missed. Proceeds from the show go towards supporting Friends of Foley Mountain. Be sure to reserve a spot – or turn it into a real blues buster of a night and add dinner to the show!
When: February 20th, 2023
Experience good old-fashioned community fun at the Merrickville Snowflake Festival on Monday, February 20, 2023. With snow games, free hot chocolate and chilli, family skating, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, children’s activities and much more, the Merrickville-Wolford Chamber of Commerce is embracing winter with this free community appreciation event. Join in for Diego the Magician’s show as well as a traditional hockey scrimmage during the afternoon.
View more events from Westport, North Grenville, and Rideau Lakes
When: Saturday, December 3rd
Enjoy an evening of wine, food, and live music with a tasting led by Vintner, Sherry Karlo. Tantalize your senses with a three-flight wine tasting, perfectly paired to delicious home-made cuisine. View their website for more upcoming events.
View more events from Prince Edward County
When: January 28th, 2023
Take the chill out of chilly! Join in the fun of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, disc golf, a campfire, kids’ activities, fort building and more as the Maitland Education Recreation Centre hosts Snowfest! Date pending.
When: Tuesdays in February
Celebrating the 20th annual Brockville Museum Lecture Series! On Tuesday mornings in February at the Brockville Arts Centre, the Museum lecture series features a speaker lineup of academics from Ottawa and Kingston who dive into topics that have impacted Canadian history. This year, well-known former CBC radio and news host, Adrian Harewood starts the series on Feb. 7, speaking on the historical significance of Black Canadian newspapers. Next up, look for Murney Tower Museum Curator and Manager, Simge Erdogan-O’Connor, as she delves into the unique history and architecture of the iconic nineteenth-century military fortification, as well as Anne Prepanier, historian and professor at Carleton University, showcasing how the imagination of Confederation was actually the result of tension. Lastly, Jake Breadman sheds an environmental light on the War of 1812.
When: February 16th, 2023
Get your dancing shows on and be ready to sing along! The world’s number one production of Abba returns to the Brockville Arts Centre on February 16! Witness hits like Waterloo, Mama Mia, Dancing Queen and more. But that’s not all: enjoy special guest tribute appearances from Adele, Mick Jagger, and Night Fever – The Bee Gees Tribute.
When: February 16th – 20th, 2023
The Brockville Winter Classic is back! From February 16 to 20, the community skating event of the winter is rolling into Brockville. Get pumped for the excitement of the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni game, free skating with Alyn McCauley and Todd Gill, outdoor hockey tourney at Rotary Park, Black and White themed dinner gala and much more.
When: February 19th, 2023
Set the stage for entertainment at the Brockville Arts Centre this winter! The new year welcomes multi-award-winning folk-pop singer, songwriter and actress, Jann Arden to the Brockville Arts Centre. Jan has produced ten studio albums with 17 top singles and has toured with the ever-talented Michael Buble! Get into the music in February by grabbing a ticket for this spectacular concert.
When: February 23rd, 2023
Whether you are planning your nuptials or you are dreaming of the future, you should definitely check out the Brockville Wedding Show! Enjoy a stunning fashion show, live music and plenty of raffles while you meet with local vendors who offer unique and special wedding products and services.
When: February 18th, 2023
Reel in an extraordinary experience! The Alexandria Ice Fishing Derby casts out on Saturday February 18 from noon until 3 p.m. with more than $50,000 in contest and participation prizes. Located at beautiful Island Park, this is a chance for seasoned anglers and rookies on the reel to unite for a memorable winter fishing experience! Be sure to register early for this catch and release derby – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!
When: February 19th, 2023
Dippity do dah! Get back to the beach during the 9th North Glengarry Polar Dip on Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m. Taking place at Island Park in Alexandria this invigorating dip has become a tradition and a great way to make memories on the Family Day long weekend.
When: February 25th, 2023
It’s a “reel” good time! Friends of Hoople Creek Society present the annual Ice Fishing Fun Tournament on Saturday, February 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This popular spot at Hoople’s Bay in Ingleside is known as prolific for ice fishing, and the tournament is always a smash success. With more than $5,000 in cash prizes, a 50/50 draw and more, it’s community winter fun waiting to happen.
When: February 25th, 2023
Soup’s on! This soup-tasting challenge set for February 25, 2023 sees downtown Belleville restaurants compete for two awards: the People’s Choice Award voted by soup samplers, and the Judge’s Choice Award, voted by the judges on flavour and texture. Soup aficionados sample as many soups throughout the downtown as they would like (cost per sample) and then vote for their favourite. Reminder that this is a BYOS event: Bring Your Own Spoons!
When: The entire month of February
The Town of Gananoque, along with community partners, is pleased to present WINTERPALOOZA 2023, featuring a fun-filled schedule of events to take place over the entire month of February, including special Family Day activities for all to enjoy.
When: February 18th, 2023
The 28th Annual Newburgh Canal Bash is a fun day celebrating community. Start the day with breakfast at the hall, and enjoy wagon rides, delicious food (try the famous Firemen’s Fries & Canal Tails!), skating, a youth hockey tournament and so much more! You’ll love the fireworks and the huge community bonfire.
When: Various Dates this Winter
Check out live music happening and special events at Doghouse Studios. Featuring Gunning & Cormier, The Arrogant Worms, The Gertrudes, and more!
When: Various Dates this Winter
There’s always something going on at the museum. Take a look at their upcoming programs, events and entertainment.
Updated by Rosanne Lake
