Grab your solar glasses and mark your calendars because something truly out-of-this-world is on the cosmic horizon. If you haven’t heard already, a solar eclipse is gracing the skies on April 8, 2024, and guess what? South Eastern Ontario is set to be in the spotlight for this celestial marvel!

This rare event will unfold over Canada, the United States and Mexico. In Canada, the path of totality is only over parts of southern Ontario, southern Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. 

Scroll to the bottom for regional event listings!

What’s all the fuss about?

A total solar eclipse is like nature’s own cinematic blackout. The Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, causing the Moon to cast a shadow on Earth, briefly turning day into an eerie twilight. It’s a cosmic rarity that’ll paint the skies with wonder and captivate countless spectators.

It’s not just a once-in-a-lifetime thing; it’s a once-in-several-centuries kind of deal. This spectacular event that can only be experienced along a relatively narrow strip on the Earth’s surface. Most solar eclipse viewers will not get the opportunity to witness the grandeur of a total solar eclipse because of the narrow strip of totality. 

While partial solar eclipses, as well as total and partial lunar eclipses, take place regularly in Canada, the last time this region witnessed a total solar eclipse was over 700 years ago, and the next cosmic rendezvous won’t happen until the year 2399. 

Tick tock- what time is the show?

In Ontario, the solar eclipse is expected to start at 2:04 p.m. and last about two and a half hours. The sun will be fully eclipsed at approximately 3:20 to 3:23 p.m. EDT.

According to Destination Ontario, the eclipse will travel eastward across our region and cross the communities of Belleville, Kingston and Cornwall at 3:21, 3:22 and 3:24 p.m., respectively.

Where do I plant myself for this celestial show?

There are several communities in South Eastern Ontario which sit in the full path of totality and are primed as one of the best spots to catch this cosmic extravaganza. Picture-perfect views await from places like Kingston, Cornwall, Brockville, and Belleville, offering front-row seats.

Early bird planning is your best bet if you want in on an eclipse-viewing event or to snag a cozy stay in the eclipse’s path. Hotel rooms are already vanishing faster than a shooting star in some regions like Kingston, which even has a dedicated page for exclusive event updates, offers, trip packages and more. These destinations will offer some of the best viewing areas not only in Ontario but in all of Canada! It’s a breathtaking visual display and an opportunity for learning about astronomy, the solar system, and the natural world.

Safety first

It’s crucial to safeguard your eyes during a solar eclipse. Without proper eye protection, looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause severe and permanent damage to your vision. Even a small fraction of a percent of the Sun’s photosphere emits enough infrared and ultraviolet light to permanently damage your eyes in a very short time. Please ensure you use international standard (ISO) certified eye protection glasses with special filters to watch all the phases of a solar eclipse and view this event responsibly. Learn more about eclipse safety

More useful links

At Eclipse2024.org you can see detailed 2024 eclipse information for cities in any country, state or province.

Here’s all the information you need to view the 2024 total solar eclipse on eclipse day—save the date, April 8, 2024!

At timeanddate.com you can view maps, including timelapse video, that shows where and when the eclipse will be visible in Ontario. Search by location for eclipse start, totality, and end. * Timings for the beginning & end of partial eclipse, the beginning & end of totality, and maximum eclipse are accurate to within a few seconds. 

Current event listings for communities within South Eastern Ontario. This page will be updated with region-specific events as they are announced.

Destinations in the full path of totality

Kingston

Multiple events are happening in the lead-up to the Eclipse and on the day off, including special programming at Fort Henry.

Transit Kingston will be offering free transit courtesy of Tourism Kingston. Find a park and ride location.

Primary viewing location + programming will take place at Grass Creek Park, located off highway 2 between Kingston and Gananoque.

Check the link at Visitkingston.ca for listings, maps of viewing sites, information on accommodation partners, and entertainment.

The Downtown Kingston BIA is hosting a special solar eclipse edition of its annual event,  Art After Dark event on April 5th. Art After Dark is a beloved event in downtown Kingston where galleries and art-centric shops keep their doors open late for one vibrant evening to showcase and celebrate Kingston’s renowned art scene.

Kingston expects to welcome thousands of visitors from across the globe to Kingston to experience the eclipse. Additional viewing locations with access to washrooms can be found at this link.

Merch available online and at the Visitor Information Centre. 

Bay of Quinte

The Bay of Quinte website has a map of the best viewing locations and some featured events, including a Greater Napanee viewing party, BOQ.Bike Belleville ride,  Bollywood Night at BayLeaf and Total Eclipse of the Sun Party at The Waterfront Pub.

The complete solar eclipse represents an opportunity to mark an important milestone in the history of the Rotinonhsyon:ni (People of the Flint/Iroquois People).   Join the Kenhtè:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre and friends on April 8th from 1:30-4 pm to honour this historic moment in time. Events will include sharing of Rotinonhsyon:ni history, cultural practices and observation through eclipse glasses on the land of the Peacemaker.

1000 Islands Gananoque

The Town of Gananoque will fall into darkness for three minutes and 39 seconds. To mark this momentous occasion, the Town of Gananoque will host “Total Eclipse of the Park” at Joel Stone Park on April 8, with other community events happening throughout the weekend prior.

Brockville

The city will sit in the path of totality and is celebrating with a special Solar Eclipse Viewing event on Blockhouse Island with food & music, special exhibits, and a vendor market. Learn More

Prince Edward County

There are various events happening in the county to celebrate this rare eclipse.

These include a Solar Eclipse Party at Sandbanks Winery, The Waring House,  The Royal Hotel, Slake Brewery, a solar Eclipse Beach Party at Drake Devonshire, and an Epicurean Eclipse at the newly-renovated Sergeants Mess Hall at Base31 where you can indulge in a delicious four-course meal prepared by Chef Jamie Kennedy, guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.

View them all and more on the Visit The County website.

Plus Countylicious takes place April 4th to 28th, providing an enticing opportunity to spend a weekend and savour “The Bounty of The County.”  Visit https://www.visitthecounty.com/spring-countylicious-2024/ for more info. Merch also available.

Cornwall

Lamoureux Park in Downtown Cornwall will be the city’s official viewing area, and different activities will take place in the park on that day. For additional information, please visit Cornwall Tourism’s dedicated landing page.

A limited number of ISO-certified eyewear will be available for purchase in advance at the Benson Centre and Aquatic Centre as well as on the day of the eclipse at the Visitor Information Centre in front of the Cornwall Civic Complex leading to Lamoureux Park. Make the most of your visit.

SDG Counties

Upper Canada Village – Morrisburg, Ontario – Monday, April 8, 2024, from 1pm-4:30pm, at Battle of Crysler’s Farm National Historic Site, for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Witness the magic of a total solar eclipse with the St. Lawrence River as your backdrop. Get FREE eclipse glasses, bring your lawn chair, enjoy eclipse-themed music, and tasty treats by BeaverTails, and hop on the beloved Miniature Train for an afternoon of fun. Gates open at 12 pm. Pre-purchase your parking pass online  https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/event/solar-eclipse-2024/

Destinations with partial Eclipse viewing

1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways

The week before the eclipse, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Rideau Lakes Public Library is hosting an all-ages talk about the eclipse with Canadian amateur astronomer Frank Hitchens.

Furnace Falls Farm Lunch & Learn – Apr. 7 & 8
Enjoy lunch while learning about our fascinating solar system and how to watch the eclipse safely.

Indoor Viewing Party on the big screen Public Library, Kemptville Branch 1:45 in the program room.

For more information on all of these events, visit the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways website.

Lennox and Addington

The L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area is a great place to see the stars anytime… but if you want to learn a little more about the night sky, they host events from April to October.

The Town of Greater Napanee will be hosting an event to view the solar eclipse passing through our area! Join us on the Soccer Field at the Strathcona Paper Centre on Monday, April 8th, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Sources- links as referenced above.