September in Kingston brings that perfect mix of late-summer energy and the first signs of fall. The month is packed with live music, festivals, local food, arts and culture, hockey, and plenty of opportunities to get outside before the cooler weather arrives.
Whether you're looking for a weekend festival, a family outing, a night downtown, or a classic fall activity like apple picking, we've rounded up some of the best things to do in Kingston this September 2026.
Here’s what’s happening around Kingston and the surrounding area this month.
Limestone City Car Classic
Date: September 5, 2026
Where: Kingston Memorial Centre
Car enthusiasts can spend the day checking out an impressive collection of classic cars, vintage vehicles, and custom builds at the Limestone City Car Classic. Whether you're a serious collector or just appreciate a beautifully maintained classic, it’s a great September outing for automotive fans.
Apple Picking Near Kingston
Apple season has arrived! If you're looking for a classic fall activity near Kingston, there are several local orchards where you can spend an afternoon picking apples, exploring the farm, and stocking up on fresh fall treats.
Waddell Apples
Where: 1345 Washburn Road, Kingston
Season: Typically Labour Day Weekend through Thanksgiving
Located along the Rideau Canal, Waddell Apples is a long-running family-owned orchard offering pick-your-own apples alongside fresh-pressed cider, homemade pies, local honey, and a historic 1830s log cabin farm store.
Loughborough Heritage Orchard
Where: 3371 Sydenham Road, Sydenham
U-Pick Begins: September 5, 2026
Just north of Kingston near Loughborough Lake, this organic orchard specializes in heritage and vintage apple varieties. U-Pick begins September 5 and is available on weekends throughout the harvest season.
Wynn Farms
Where: 8191 Highway 33, Greater Napanee
Season: Open daily through November 8
Wynn Farms turns apple picking into a full fall outing. Along with the orchard, visitors can take on a themed corn maze and enjoy seasonal favourites like fresh cider treats and smashed lemonade.
Janssens Orchards
Where: 668 County Road 4, Odessa
Season: September through late fall
Janssens Orchards specializes in heirloom and heritage varieties of apples, pears, and plums. Their harvest market opens for the season in September, with limited pick-your-own dates available throughout the fall.
Apple varieties and picking conditions can change quickly throughout the season, so be sure to check with each orchard before heading out.
Kingston Symphony September Book Fair
Dates: September 10–20, 2026
Where: 785 Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard, Unit 7A
Book lovers, this one's for you. The Kingston Symphony's September Book Fair is a long-running local fundraiser filled with gently used books across a wide variety of genres.
Browse for your next great read while supporting the Kingston Symphony at the same time.
Kingston Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
Dates: September 11–13, 2026
Where: Kingston Memorial Centre
Come hungry! Kingston Ribfest & Craft Beer Show returns with a weekend of barbecue, craft beer, live entertainment, and plenty of festival favourites.
Grab some ribs, try something from one of the vendors, and settle in for an afternoon at the Memorial Centre.
RoadTrip Music Festival
Date: September 12, 2026
Where: Princess Street & Springer Market Square
Downtown Kingston turns into a full-day music destination for the RoadTrip Music Festival.
During the day, enjoy free performances on street stages alongside food, local pop-ups, and plenty happening throughout the downtown core. In the evening, the festival moves to its ticketed mainstage concert featuring Peach Pit and other Canadian artists.
It’s a great opportunity to experience downtown Kingston while catching both emerging and established Canadian talent.
Party on the Pier
Date: September 13, 2026
Where: Great Lakes Museum, 55 Ontario Street
Spend a September day along Kingston's waterfront at Party on the Pier.
Hosted at the Great Lakes Museum, this community event is a chance to enjoy the waterfront, connect with the community, and experience one of Kingston's most unique historic spaces.
194th Kingston Fall Fair
Dates: September 17–20, 2026
Where: Kingston Memorial Centre Grounds, 303 York Street
One of Kingston's longest-running traditions returns for its 194th year.
The Kingston Fall Fair celebrates the region's agricultural roots alongside all the classic fair favourites, including carnival rides, livestock shows, demolition derbies, fair food, live entertainment, and family activities.
If you're ready to get into the fall spirit, this is one Kingston tradition worth adding to your calendar.
Poutine Feast
Dates: September 24-27, 2026
Where: Kingston Memorial Centre
Kick off September with one of Canada’s favourite comfort foods. Poutine Feast brings a variety of vendors to the Memorial Centre serving up their own takes on the classic combination of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Stop by for lunch, dinner, or simply an excuse to try a few different versions throughout the weekend.
Garden Party Festival
Dates: September 17–27, 2026
Where: Hotel Wolfe Island
Take the ferry across to Wolfe Island for the Garden Party Festival at Hotel Wolfe Island.
Running over several days in September, the festival brings together live music, performances, and special events in one of the area's most unique island venues.
It’s also a great excuse to turn the event into a full day on Wolfe Island before catching a show.
Kingston Intercultural Arts Festival
Date: September 20, 2026
Where: Confederation Park
Celebrate the cultures and communities that make Kingston home at the Kingston Intercultural Arts Festival.
The festival brings together traditional dance, live world music, international cuisine, workshops, and artisan vendors for a day of arts, food, and culture along Kingston's waterfront.
Kingston Frontenacs Games
Dates: September 20 & 25, 2026
Where: Slush Puppie Place
Hockey is back in Kingston!
Catch the Kingston Frontenacs at Slush Puppie Place on September 20 or 25 and get an early start on hockey season in the city.
Whether you're a longtime Fronts fan or simply looking for something fun to do with the family, a game downtown is always a great fall outing.
Art After Dark
Date: September 25, 2026
Where: Various Galleries & Venues in Downtown Kingston
Spend an evening exploring Kingston's creative side during Art After Dark.
This biannual downtown art crawl sees galleries, studios, and local businesses stay open late for special exhibitions, opening receptions, live artist demonstrations, and other programming.
Wander from stop to stop, discover local artists, and experience downtown Kingston a little differently for the night.
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