It’s gotten too long to include here in the summary! Click Events Calendar to see our list for the next few days.
🔦 Local Spotlight
🎃 The Halloween houses worth the drive, picked by you
You told us where the good ones are, and we went to look. Giant skeletons on Lombardy, a spooky carnival on Juniper, incredible homemade animatronics on Chatsworth (including Nagina, a giant snake), and two haunted houses you can walk through on Halloween weekend. One of them, Wilson Manor in Portsmouth, doubles as a food drive, so bring a donation for Partners in Mission Food Bank. You’ll also meet the Kingston and Area DIY Halloween group, a community for everyone under the spell of Halloween decorating. Photos, videos and a map to plan your route.
👉 See all the Halloween houses: kingstonspotlight.ca/go-halloween
📰 Kingston & Area Local News
🏛️ Non-profits: Apply by October 31 to Light Up City Hall in January to March 2027
City Hall lit up over Market Square. Photo: Paul Carl, Aanii Nichii Drones.
Is your charity or non-profit marking something big this winter? Here’s your chance to see City Hall glow in your colours. The City of Kingston is taking applications to light up City Hall for January to March 2027, and the deadline is Saturday, October 31. Under the City’s updated Illumination Policy, applications are reviewed every three months, with about 15 to 20 spots each quarter, and each lighting runs one night, dusk to dawn. The rules are on the City’s Light up City Hall page, you can apply online through MyKingston, and the City’s events calendar shows who’s lighting it up next.
Read the full story at: City of Kingston
🔑 Two Kingston Hotels Earn Michelin Keys
The Belvedere on King Street East (left) and The Smith Hotel on Queen Street (right). Photos from belvederehotel.ca and thesmithhotel.ca.
Kingston just made the Michelin map. The Belvedere Hotel on King Street East and The Smith Hotel, a converted 19th-century church on Queen Street, each earned one Michelin Key, the guide’s honour for standout places to stay. Both are part of Benjamin Hotels, owned by Kingston’s BPE Group, and president and CEO Ben Pilon told the Whig-Standard the credit goes to the staff. Michelin announced its Canadian Keys in late September, and the Whig says the nod boosts Kingston’s profile with luxury travellers.
Read the full story at: Kingston Whig-Standard
🎸 The Buckle Is Quietly Looking for Its Next Owner
The Buckle on Princess Street. Graphic from The Buckle’s Instagram.
Ever dreamed of owning a bar where the band plays every night? The Buckle, the country-flavoured live-music bar at 226 Princess St., posted on Instagram on October 22 that it’s looking for its next owner through a private sale. Its for-sale graphic lists about 5,000 square feet over two floors, two stages with sound and lighting, a full kitchen, and room for roughly 200 people upstairs and 100 downstairs. No price was posted. Got a music lover’s heart and a business itch? The Buckle says to send them a message.
Read the full story at: The Buckle, Instagram
🧓 Seniors Centre Session 2 Registration Opens November 2
Session 2 registration. Graphic from seniorskingston.ca.
Time to plan your winter. The Seniors Association Kingston Region opens online registration for its Session 2 programs on Monday, November 2 at 8 a.m., and in-person sign-ups start Tuesday, November 3 at The Seniors Centre, 56 Francis St. The Association suggests signing up by Friday, November 6 to avoid disappointment. Registering online is free, and Session 2 programs start Monday, November 23.
Read the full story at: Seniors Association Kingston Region
🏆 Community Champions
🩸 Kingston Military Members Fill a Blood Clinic Within an Hour to Honour the CFB Wainwright Fire Victims
Sgt. Audrey Blanchet of the Royal Military College gives blood, her 12th donation. Photo: Michelle Dorey Forestell, Kingstonist.
After the devastating fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta on October 17, members of CFB Kingston wanted to help. They asked Canadian Blood Services for a clinic, and all 32 appointments for the Friday, October 23 clinic at HMCS Cataraqui were booked within about an hour, Lt. Brady Potter told Kingstonist. Base commander Col. Guillaume Grenier-Lachance told Kingstonist it could have been any one of them. Want to roll up your sleeve too? There’s a clinic at Queen’s on Friday, October 30, and the donor centre is at 850 Gardiners Rd. Book at blood.ca or in the GiveBlood app.
Read the full story at: Kingstonist
🧠 Update: NEO Clinic Wins Accreditation Canada’s Primer Award
The NEO Clinic team. Photo submitted by NEO Clinic, via Kingston Daily.
Kingston’s newest neurology clinic just picked up a national gold star. The Neurocentre of Eastern Ontario, better known as NEO Clinic, received Accreditation Canada’s Primer Award for Ambulatory Care Services on October 6. Medical Director Dr. Ramana Appireddy told Kingston Daily the award gives patients, and the doctors who refer them, extra confidence. NEO opened its 4,000-square-foot east-end clinic in June, offering care for headaches and migraines, Parkinson’s, stroke recovery, concussions and more, with first appointments within 90 days of a referral.
Read the full story at: Kingston Daily
🖋️ Roger Bainbridge Remembered as the Mentor Behind the Whig-Standard’s Golden Era
Roger Bainbridge at the cottage in Muskoka in 2014. Photo: Ian Turnbull, via the Kingston Whig-Standard.
Kingston’s writing world is saying goodbye to one of its great encouragers. Roger Bainbridge joined the Whig-Standard in 1968, became its arts editor and, from 1979, edited The Whig-Standard Magazine. He died October 15 at 85. Colleagues told the Whig-Standard he was the guiding force behind the paper’s golden era, a mentor who helped launch a generation of Kingston journalists, writers and critics. Our thoughts are with his family and with everyone he helped find their voice.
Read the full story at: Kingston Whig-Standard
🎃 Almost 800 Kids Registered for the Treat Accessibly Halloween Village
The Treat Accessibly Halloween Village on Braelorne Place. Photo: Michael Judd.
Halloween is for everyone, and on Saturday, October 24, Kingston’s Treat Accessibly Halloween Village made sure of it. Neighbours on Braelorne Place, the village’s new home after two years on Purcell Crescent, set up driveway treat stations so every kid could trick-or-treat, free with advance registration. It’s presented by Jessica Hellard Real Estate Group as part of the national Treat Accessibly movement, and it was a big one: almost 800 kids registered for one of three shifts, Michael Judd told Kingston Spotlight. In the village’s third year, Jessica Hellard told CFRC the team is still learning how to be more accommodating.
Read the full story at: Kingstonist
🆕 New Events In and Around Kingston
🤝 CLKD Connects | Community Living Kingston and District | October 29
CLKD Connects at 1440 Princess St. Poster from Community Living Kingston and District.
Thinking about a career supporting people with intellectual disabilities, or looking for help for someone you love? Community Living Kingston and District opens its doors on Thursday, October 29 for CLKD Connects at 1440 Princess St., Unit 5. Learn about its services, supports and advocacy, and meet agencies, families and people curious about the developmental sector. There’s pizza too: $5 cash gets you two slices and a drink, first come, first served, as a fundraiser for United Way KFL&A. Details on CLKD’s Instagram.
🎭 Top Cap Improv | Café Church | October 29 and November 26
Top Cap Improv’s live show at Café Church. Poster from Top Cap Improv.
What happens when a cannibal and a bank robber debate the meaning of life? At a Top Cap Improv show, anything. This Kingston troupe makes it all up on the spot, Whose Line Is It Anyway? style, and its shows are free with refreshments, because everyone deserves a good laugh. They welcome seniors, Community Living groups and anyone facing money, transportation or accessibility barriers. Catch them Thursday, October 29 or Thursday, November 26 at Café Church, 333 Princess St., Suite 200 (enter off Queen Street, behind Fresh Laundry). It’s wheelchair accessible, with free parking at the McKee Memorial lot. Questions? Call or text Gerald at 403-925-0368 or email [email protected].
🧑🤝🧑 KCHC Older Adults Fair | Rideau Heights Community Centre | October 30
Older Adults Fair. Graphic from Kingston Community Health Centres.
Older adults, families and caregivers, this one’s for you. Kingston Community Health Centres hosts a free Older Adults Fair on Friday, October 30 at the Rideau Heights Community Centre, 85 Maccauley St. Browse resource booths, chat with local service providers, catch talks on programs that can help, and stay for a free lunch. Parking is free too. Details at kchc.ca.
👻 Friday Night Fright Turns 10 | West End Community Centre | October 30
Friday Night Fright. Poster from United Way KFL&A.
Ten years of thrills! BGC South East and Brookland Homes throw the 10th Friday Night Fright on Friday, October 30 at the West End Community Centre, 1300 Bath Rd., for ages 4 to 18. Brave the haunted maze, bounce on the inflatables, take a breather in the sensory room and show off your costume in the contest. It’s $5 (free for 12 months and under), the first 100 families get a free large Domino’s pizza voucher, and every dollar goes to the United Way campaign. Online ticket sales have closed, but the poster says a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Details at United Way KFL&A.
🌙 P.M. Market: Halloween Night Market | Lay Low Cafe | October 30
P.M. Market at Lay Low Cafe. Poster from A.M. Knick Knacks.
A.M. Knick Knacks is staying up late. Its P.M. Market takes over Lay Low Cafe, 241 Princess St., on the evening of Friday, October 30, with local vendors, a flash tattoo pop-up by ro.does.tattoos, Lay Low drinks and scary movies projected on the wall. The poster’s promise: everything is “Made By Humans!!!” Details on A.M. Knick Knacks’ Instagram.
🏚️ Wilson Manor Haunted House | 236 Yonge Street, Portsmouth | October 30 and 31
Wilson Manor Haunted House. Poster from Wilson Manor.
Allan Wilson’s home haunted house is back for its 14th year at 236 Yonge St. in Portsmouth, open Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, with an early window on Halloween just for little ones 6 and under. Pick your level: Level 1 has no actors or animatronics, Level 2 is the full scare. Admission is a non-perishable food item for Partners in Mission Food Bank. It’s on our Halloween houses guide too. Details on the Facebook event.
🌲 Tett After Dark | Tett Centre | October 31
Tett After Dark. Graphic from the Tett Centre.
Grown-ups, this one’s yours. Tett After Dark turns the Tett Centre into an enchanted forest on Saturday, October 31 for a 19+ Halloween fundraiser. Join a Royal Court mystery quest with Improv Kingston, watch demos and try a free lesson with Ironwood Sword School, wander the art installations, catch some live painting, get your tarot read, and dance it out with a DJ and a costume contest. It all supports the Tett’s accessible arts programs and artist residencies. Details at the Tett Centre, tickets on Zeffy.
🔍 Downtown Kingston Halloween Hunt | Downtown Kingston | October 31
The Downtown Kingston Halloween Hunt. Graphic from The Rocking Horse.
Calling all ghosts and goblins. On Saturday, October 31, participating downtown shops are hiding a Halloween object for you to spot in the free, all-ages Downtown Kingston Halloween Hunt. Visit at least eight stops to get into the prize draw (more stops, more entries), with over $400 in prizes up for grabs. Pick up a hunt sheet at The Rocking Horse or use the online form. Details at The Rocking Horse.
🎻 Orchestra Kingston Opens Its 2026/27 Season | The Spire | November 1
Celebrate Beginnings. Poster from Orchestra Kingston.
Orchestra Kingston kicks off its 2026/27 season with Celebrate Beginnings on Sunday, November 1 at The Spire. Acting principal clarinetist Robin Dupré steps up as soloist in Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, filling in for Zhiyi Song, and the program also has Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 plus music by Godfrey Ridout, Lili Boulanger and Kingston’s own Dave Barton. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors and students, and free for 16 and under. Get tickets at The Spire.
🏒 Frontenacs Special Olympics Game Day | Slush Puppie Place | November 1
Frontenacs vs. Bulldogs. Graphic from Slush Puppie Place.
The Kingston Frontenacs host the Brantford Bulldogs on Sunday, November 1 at Slush Puppie Place, and it’s a Special Olympics game. Expect Hockey4Inclusion fundraising and special moments with Special Olympics athletes, plus a bingo twist: the first 2,000 fans get a Fronts bingo card, and the first 10 to complete a line win prizes. Tickets at Slush Puppie Place.
📅 Events Calendar
🗓️ The following is just for the next few days. The full Kingston events calendar lives here.
What’s Happening the Next Few Days
🕷️ Free Halloween Fun | Museum of Lennox & Addington, Napanee | October 26 and 29 | 🔦 Read our story
📚 For the Long Haul: Chris Dixon Book Launch | KFPL Central Branch | October 29
🤖 Helping Kids Navigate AI | KFPL Isabel Turner Branch | October 29
🖼️ Isabel and Alfred Bader Lecture in European Art | The Isabel | October 29
🍔 McDonald’s Hospital Day for KidsInclusive | McDonald’s in Kingston and Gananoque | October 29 | 🔦 Read our story
🩻 Sips & Spirits 2: Choose Your Nightmare | Museum of Health Care | October 29 | 🔦 Read our story
💚 The Gift of Life: Organ Donation Talk | The Seniors Centre | October 29 | 🔦 Read our story
✏️ De-Mystifying the Editing Process | KFPL Central Branch | October 29
🧭 Building Blocks for Making Strategic Choices With Rob Wood | Online, United Way KFL&A | October 29
🤝 CLKD Connects | Community Living Kingston and District, 1440 Princess St. | October 29
❄️ Where Were You When? Ice Storm 1998 Phone Chat | By phone, The Seniors Centre | October 29
🍟 McDonald’s Hospital Day for the LACGH Foundation | McDonald’s, Napanee | October 29
🍻 Chamber On Tap | Kingston Marriott | October 29
📸 Cataraqui Trail Photo Contest | Cataraqui Trail | July 8 to October 30 | 🔦 Read our story
🕯️ Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA | The Spire | October 30
🎬 Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | The Spire | October 30
🎺 Mariachi Herencia de México | The Isabel | October 30
🦉 Creatures of the Night Hike | Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area | October 30
🤝 KCHC Older Adults Fair | Rideau Heights Community Centre | October 30
🎃 Friday Night Fright Turns 10 | West End Community Centre | October 30
🎖️ Defence and Security Forum: Race to Readiness | Fort Frontenac Officers’ Mess | October 30
🌙 P.M. Market: Halloween Night Market | Lay Low Cafe | October 30
💼 The Career Collective: Free Halloween Job Fair | AOLCC Kingston | October 30 | 🔦 Read our story
🛳️ Island Queen Halloween Party Cruise With Sons of Rick | Island Queen | October 30
🎸 Punk Rock Show and Costume Party | The Toucan | October 30
🥾 2026 Hike Challenge | Cataraqui Conservation Areas | September 1 to October 31 | 🔦 Read our story
👻 Fort Fright | Fort Henry | October 15 to 18 and 22 to 31 | 🔦 Read our story
⚖️ Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott | Domino Theatre | October 29, 30 and 31
📢 KFPL’s Loud for Libraries | KFPL branches | October 1 to 31 | 🔦 Read our story
🌲 Tett After Dark | Tett Centre | October 31
🧹 KFN Trick or Treat Trail Clean-Up | Helen Quilliam Sanctuary | October 31
🎭 Limestone City Burlesque: Full Moon Masquerade | The Spire | October 31
🔍 Downtown Kingston Halloween Hunt | Downtown Kingston | October 31
🍬 Trick or Treat at Improbable Escapes | Improbable Escapes, downtown | October 31
🎃 Pumpkin Walk | Wellington Heritage Museum, Wellington | October 29 to 31
🏚️ Wilson Manor Haunted House | 236 Yonge Street, Portsmouth | October 30 and 31
🎬 The Rocky Horror Picture Show | The Screening Room | October 20 to 31
🤘 Toucan Halloween Party: The Former Cool Kids Club | The Toucan and Kirkpatrick’s | October 31
💀 Nightmare on First Ave. Haunted Yard Trail | First Avenue, Napanee | October 31
🧛 Lil’Ghouls Day | Base31, Picton | October 31
🎸 Play Me Guitar Sculptures | Downtown Kingston | to November 1
💀 Bottle Tree Productions: The Death of Me | Bottle Tree Studio | October 22 to 25 and 29 to November 1 | 🔦 Read our story
🎻 Orchestra Kingston Opens Its 2026/27 Season | The Spire | November 1
🎼 Trio Hochelaga | The Isabel | November 1
🏅 Frontenacs Special Olympics Game Day | Slush Puppie Place | November 1
🚒 Loyalist Paid On-Call Firefighter Open Houses | Amherstview and Amherst Island fire stations | October 26 and November 2
🐟 Friends of the Salmon River Annual Gathering | Tamworth Legion | November 2
🍷 Wine, Wills and Wealth | Cataraqui Golf & Country Club | November 3
☕ Chamber Coffee and Connections | allCareIT, Gardiners Road | November 3
📜 Book Talk: Talk Treaty to Me | KFPL Isabel Turner Branch | November 3
✍️ Learning for Liberation Book Club: Future Me Is Fat With Mollie Cronin | KFPL Central Branch | November 3
🌈 Rainbow Social Club | The Seniors Centre | November 3
🩺 HPV Test Fest: The New Pap Party | Access+ Clinic, Princess Street | November 4
📕 Tempted: An Evening With Rick Campanelli and Bill Welychka | Tett Centre | November 4
🎓 Library Lectures: PhDs for the Public | KFPL Central Branch | November 4
💊 Pill Pals: Swallowing Pills Made Simple | KCHC Weller Site | November 4
🖋️ Make It Happen: Islamic Calligraphy Workshop With Jamal Saeed | KFPL Central Branch | November 5
🎤 Jessica Wolowich: Learning How to Drive Album Release | The Broom Factory | November 5
📝 Seniors Association Session 2 Registration | The Seniors Centre | November 2 to 6
🎭 Come From Away | Springer Theatre, Gananoque | to November 7
📖 It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken | Kingston Grand Theatre | October 22 to November 8
🧵 Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners Annual Sale | Tett Centre | November 5 to 8
🍽️ Countylicious | Prince Edward County restaurants | October 22 to November 15
🚶 Theatre Kingston: Strolling Player | Homestead Baby Grand | October 29 to November 15
🧥 Coats for Community Drive | Drop-off bins across Kingston and L&A | October 17 to November 16 | 🔦 Read our story
📱 November Health and Tech Talks | The Seniors Centre | November 5 to 19
📚 Later Life Learning Series B: Great Kingston Stories | The Seniors Centre | series starts October 23 | 🔦 Read our story
🧶 Escape to the Safe Zone by Leisa Rich | Tett Gallery | October 30 to November 22
🎭 Top Cap Improv | Café Church | October 29 and November 26
☕ Aging Well and Talking Café Fall Talks | KFPL branches and Kingston East Community Centre | November 4 to December 16
📸 Rideau Heights Neighbourhood Photo Contest | Across KFL&A | October 1 to January 1 | 🔦 Read our story
🫁 COPD Exercise Group | Napanee | Tuesdays from November 3
🎸 Blues at the Cove Turns 20 | The Cove Inn, Westport | from October 16
🥕 Lionhearts Fresh Food Market | The Seniors Centre and Seniors Centre East | Tuesdays and Wednesdays | 🔦 Read our story
Know of something we should add? Let us know.
🗓️ The full Kingston events calendar lives here.
BTW, if you don’t want to receive this anymore, please help all the subscribers by just using the Unsubscribe link at the bottom instead of marking this as SPAM… remember, you did subscribe ;-)
All feedback and suggestions are appreciated!
What would you like to see more of, and less of?
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