Don’t sleep on this taco takeover

Gooood morning Kingston and Happy Easter to all 3,000 of you legends reading this! We’ve officially hit a milestone, and yes, we’re celebrating with way too many mini eggs and zero regrets.

Turns out, Kingston’s got some strong long weekend opinions, and we’ve got the poll results to prove it. So whether you’re hosting the whole crew or hiding from them, you’re in the right place.

Let’s hop in.

Top Clicks of the Week

Food truck heaven

Patio opening celebration at Lay Low

What’s open and closed in Kingston over Easter

Ryan Reynold in Kingston

Save gas money by using GasBuddy

Havana Nights at La Vida (tomorrow, Saturday, April 19!)

News Notes

Year-round swimming? Let’s talk.
The City is hosting a drop-in info session about plans to enclose Culligan Water Park and make it a year-round aquatics facility. Swing by the Memorial Centre lobby on Wednesday, April 30 between 4–7 p.m. to check out designs, chat with City staff, and share your feedback. (City of Kingston)

Kingston Climate Summit coming this June
The Kingston Climate Summit is happening June 4–5 at Queen’s University, bringing together local leaders, changemakers, and sustainability pros to accelerate climate action. With keynote speaker Brent Toderian and immersive sessions on regional solutions, the summit promises two days of powerful collaboration and fresh ideas. (City of Kingston)

Note: News notes with three asterisks (***) means that there is a pay wall to read the article.

Local Biz

Downtown just got a little hipper

holisticallyhipygk

745 followers

View more on Instagram

Holistically Hip is officially open and already turning heads with clean beauty, plant-based protein, and feel-good vibes. Swing by, sniff some Routine Cream, and get your glow on.

Premium hair care, zero surprise fees
Tina Coutanche Hair now has an online shop with local pickup, so you can skip the shipping charges and get top-tier hair products without the hassle. Order online, pick up when it works for you, and support local while you’re at it.

Studio330 expands to the west end
Studio330 is heating things up with a brand-new Westend Wellness location in Kingston. Expect hot yoga, more class options coming soon, and all the same community vibes that made you fall in love with the original. Renovations are already in the works to expand offerings even further.

Master wax seals without the meltdown

Struggling with broken, bubbly, or just plain bad wax seals? Cody Calligraphy has launched an online course to fix that — with techniques for sealing on vellum, ribbon, fabric, and more. It’s perfect for DIYers, wedding planners, and small biz owners, and it's just $97 CAD for a limited time.

Got a business recommendation? Let us know here.

Events

Things to do this weekend

The Downtown Kingston Easter Hunt | Saturday, April 19 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Downtown Kingston | Free | Solve clues, explore local shops, and hunt for hidden surprises—visit at least 8 stops to enter for prizes (and more stops = more chances to win).

Paul & The Fiercely Okay Singing Community | Saturday, April 19 | 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Next Church | $15 or PWYC | A family band jam with heart—join Paul, his dad, and brother for a cozy afternoon concert with an opening set by The Drift. No tickets needed, just swing by.

Announced

Brunch Club: Cinco de Mayo Edition | Sunday, May 4 | 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | The Grizzly Grill | Prices vary | Spicy margaritas, a festive brunch menu, mimosa towers, and all the fiesta vibes—start your Cinco early and in style.

Cinco de Mayo Pop-Up with El Gringo | Sunday, May 5 | Starts at 6:00 p.m. | Dianne’s | Prices vary | Tacos, tunes, and no reservations—El Gringo takes over Dianne’s for a spicy dine-in-only fiesta with a special bar menu and live DJ.

Hosting an event? Submit it to our calendar here.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

Hot Links

Last call to catch the current Kingston Artists’ Showcase—it closes April 26 to make room for a fresh wave of local talent hitting the walls on May 20.

Know someone who can lead a mean yoga practice? The Yoga Loft is hiring a new yoga teacher for Thursday evenings—with flexibility to add more classes.

Brunch is calling—here’s where to find Easter weekend eats, from buffet spreads to themed milkshakes, running Friday through Monday.

Beer, bands, and big upgrades—YGK Craft Beer Fest drops June 14 with six performers (four local!), a new stage setup, and more shade for your sips.

Got a nose for candles and a knack for small-batch magic? Lotus & Lavender Day Spa wants your wicks—they’re hunting for a local maker to whip up their signature scent and light up their shelves.

Artists, creatives, and culture lovers—Kingston Arts Council just launched a membership program packed with perks, from health insurance to gallery gigs and sweet local discounts.

Squirrel, snail, or snapping turtle—every photo you take April 25–28 helps scientists track Kingston’s biodiversity during the global City Nature Challenge.

Your next thrift haul could help a family in crisis—every purchase at YGK Thrift supports Almost Home Kingston, making secondhand shopping feel even better.

Weather

Friday
High 12°C 🌡️ Low 4°C | 🌦️ 

Saturday
High 13°C 🌡️ Low 4°C | 🌧️ 

Sunday
High 9°C 🌡️ Low 2°C | 🌥️

Monday
High 12°C 🌡️ Low 3°C | 🌧️ 

Tuesday
High 10°C 🌡️ Low 4°C | ☁️ 

🌡️ View current weather here.

🚗 See live traffic here.

⛽ Check out local gas prices here.

Signing Off

That’s it until Wednesday—we’re taking Easter Monday off to eat leftover chocolate and spend time with family. In the meantime, don’t forget to check the calendar, book that brunch, and maybe give the ham one last chance.

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