Event Details

Incorporated in 2017, Tourism Kingston’s (TK) vision is to excel in creating, promoting, and growing opportunities for Kingston to be a premier destination for individuals, groups, and businesses; to leverage tourism as a key driver of a healthy economy of Kingston; and to champion Kingston as a destination for local, regional, national, and international tourism.

This application is for “Eclipse 2024: Kingston”, taking place April 4 to 8, 2024 at various locations in Kingston. On April 8, Kingston will experience a total solar eclipse; a once-in-a-lifetime celestial phenomenon. The path of totality, where the moon’s position aligns precisely between the Earth and the sun and all phases of the eclipse are visible, is only 185 kilometres wide – and Kingston is in the path. The last total solar eclipse in Canada occurred in 1979. This is an exceedingly rare event and one that promises to bring many visitors to Kingston during the shoulder season. TK is leading a cross-community effort to present an eclipse festival in the days leading up to the eclipse culminating in the solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday April 8. Programming will span across arts and culture, history and heritage, science and engineering, and eclipse-viewing opportunities, with a strong focus on arts and culture throughout the festival weekend. Kingston has a vibrant arts and culture scene with strengths in live music, museums and heritage, film and filmmaking, visual arts galleries, as well as an active makers scene. Programming will include:

(1) “Horizon”, a 360-degree film experience (free). A cinematic dome that can hold an audience of 20 (fully accessible) to showcase a film in 360 degrees. This programming will be offered for free throughout the Eclipse Festival in a central downtown location. The 20-minute film takes audiences on a revealing expedition from the highest peaks to the deepest seas, under the northern aurora borealis, and through all ten provinces and three territories;

(2) Kingston’s Museums (free): The Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites is a member of the Solar Eclipse Working Group and committed to engaging their membership to activate programming, including: (i) Military Communications and Electronics Museum (featuring a dedicated eclipse exhibit. Apr 4–7); (ii) MacLachlan Woodworking Museum (a family-friendly sundial-making workshop. Apr 6 & 7); (iii) Murney Tower (the museum will open specially for the eclipse weekend to present guided tours and space-themed arts and craft activities. Apr 6–8); (iv) Museum of Health Care Kingston (interactive activities and crafts that investigate past and present beliefs, including superstitions and traditions about events like a solar eclipse. Apr 4–7); and (v) Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts & Tett Centre for Creativity (will partner to present family- friendly interactive eclipse-themed arts and craft activities);

(3) “Art After Dark” (free): Presented by the Downtown Kingston BIA , this unique night-time celebration of local artistry and culture will take place across 20+ galleries and art shops in the heart of the city. Programming will animate the downtown as galleries stay open late and art activations spill out onto the streets, such as live glow-in-the-dark painting and local music;

(4) Katarokwi Indigenous Art & Food Market in Springer Market Square (free);

(5) The Kingston Grand Theatre will host two ticketed cultural presentations at The Kingston Grand Theatre: (i) Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn and (ii) Jungle Book;

(6) Creative Kingston Walking Tours (free): exploring the city’s music, film, and literary scenes. Nine tours in total are available in both English and French, with each featuring written content, audio narration, archival artefacts and new content animating stories that explore many of Kingston’s rich creative industries;

(7) Kingston Trolley Tours will present a special city tour exploring Kingston’s history and heritage comfortably with a guided tour on a traditional red trolley bus (ticketed);

(8) Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises exploring Kingston’s history and heritage through a guided cruise along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario (ticketed);

(9) Queen’s University Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy will present a series of educational talks, demonstrations, and interactive events at the university and in the community (free);

(10) Fort Henry will present science and engineering programming (free); and

(11) Eclipse Experience: prime viewing locations across the city, including Breakwater Park, Lake Ontario Park, Woodbine Park, Waaban Crossing, Fort Henry, and Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area: This site, easily accessible from Highway 401 and downtown Kingston, will offer visitors an unparalleled view of the eclipse as well as on-site activities.