One thing I absolutely love about Kingston in the summer is the incredible amount of music that is performed outdoors all over town. From large scale events such as the Blues Fest and the Beat Beethoven Run to the smaller, more regular concert series that run several days a week, there’s plenty of music to keep us dancing.



Beat Beethoven Run: Every year for the last 15 years The Kingston Symphony has raised funds with a free concert at Confederation Basin on the first Sunday in June. Runners and walkers from around the city raise funds and attempt to complete the 4km and 8km routes before the symphony has completed playing all four movements of Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony (Eroica). This year’s run will take place on June 5th at 10:30am. The orchestra will also play a selection of other tunes ranging from fun fiddle numbers to Broadway show tunes and movie themes. This is always a great time for the whole family.

Canada Day: One of Kingston’s favourite days of the year! You definitely won’t be hard-pressed to find great tunes at our National birthday party. Confederation Basin hosts local bands all day long and well into the evening leading up to a spectacular fireworks display over the city. There is also a great party at the east end’s Grass Creek Park featuring a variety of family focused activities including lots of live entertainment.

Noon Hour Concert Series: Downtown Kingston! presents free concerts at Confederation Basin every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 12:30pm until 1:30pm. This is a great opportunity for tourists and Kingstonians who work downtown to enjoy a concert by the lake along with a hotdog or a take out meal from one of the many great restaurants nearby. The music ranges from local rock bands to full concert bands and solo artists. The series begins at the end of June and runs until labour day.

Music in the Gardens: The City of Kingston presents free live concerts in the Lions Civic Gardens (beside te Cataraqui Town Centre) every Sunday and Wednesday evening from 7pm-8pm from the beginning of July until the end of August. These concerts showcase some of Kingston’s best local musicians from solo artists to full bands playing all genres of music from jazz and rock to country and classical.

Big Band Fridays: Every Friday evening from 7pm-8pm you can catch Kingston’s local jazz, concert and big bands playing in the Market Square Amphitheatre.

Thanks to E Paen for this week’s great shot at Confederation Park.