Museums, Margaritas, and Kingston’s Weekend Highlights

Gooood morning, Kingston and Happy Friday! May is finally here, and so is Museum Month in Canada’s museum capital.

With 24 museums, historic sites, and three art galleries (yes, really), Kingston is basically a playground for history lovers. From the PumpHouse to the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum to City Hall itself, there’s something for everyone. The Kingston & Area Association of Museums’s website has tons of awesome information to help you explore it all this month and beyond.

Top Clicks of the Week🖱️

Curious minds (and hungry bellies) were busy this week. Here’s what Kingston couldn’t stop clicking:

• Nora’s Coffee + Sandwiches — Because one treat is never enough.

• FLIGHT Cheese Shop — Brie mine, Kingston.

• Vintage Afternoon Tea in Bloom — Sip, shop, and swoon at this Mother’s Day tea.

• Additional Residential Unit Incentive Program — Extra units, extra perks—get paid to build.

• Studio330 Holistic Yoga Vibes — Free community yoga every Thursday.

News Notes

Former Kingstonian makes Ontario history

Donna Skelly, once a CKWS broadcaster in Kingston, has been elected as the first female Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. (The Whig)

Newcomer entrepreneurs honoured in Kingston
Three local business owners were recognized at the Newcomer Entrepreneur Awards on April 28 for their innovation, resilience, and impact. (The Whig)

Wolfe Islander IV sails home — but not back to work yet
Fresh from repairs, the Wolfe Islander IV is back in town but benched for safety checks. Wolfe Islander III keeps the route afloat for now. (CBC News)

Local Biz

Restaurant Recommendation

Allison G. is not keeping this place to herself. After one visit to Cat House Chiang Mai, she was all in!

Located at 660 Progress Avenue, this local Thai kitchen is dishing out bold, flavour-packed favourites and low-key turning first-timers into regulars. Delivery is available via SkipTheDishes and DoorDash — but if you’re nearby, a visit is definitely in order.

Got a favourite spot you think deserves a shoutout in our ‘Local Biz’ section? Send us your rec — we love a good tip-off.

Cinco De Mayo is this Monday, May 5, 2025

And a few Kingston spots are bringing the fiesta!

Mesa Fresca
Celebrate with $9.95 margaritas and 2-for-$25 app deals all day on May 5.

El Gringo pop-up at Dianne’s
One-night-only takeover featuring a bold new menu | 6:00–11:00 p.m.

Baja Craft Kitchen
Buy a margarita, get a taco — free. That’s the kind of math we like.

Plan accordingly, Kingston — Monday night just got a whole lot tastier!

Events

Things to do this weekend

HomeGrown Live Music Festival | Saturday, May 3 | 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Various downtown Kingston venues | $10 wristband (cash only) | 140+ performances, 16 stages, one wristband—Kingston’s biggest day of live local music, with all proceeds supporting Joe’s Music Mill.

Otter Creek Food Truck + Surge Pale Ale Drop

Friday, May 3 | 12:00–7:00 p.m. | Fine Balance Brewing Co. | Kick off patio season with Otter Creek’s first food truck pop-up of the year and crack a can of the freshly restocked Surge Pale Ale—tropical, hazy, and full of spring vibes.

The Big Art Show | Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4 | Tett Centre | Free | Forty large-scale artworks take over the Tett Gallery—meet the artists, shop originals or prints, and soak up Kingston’s boldest new art show.
*Hours vary each day. Click the orange header to learn more.

Spring Metal Rocks Show & Sale | Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4 | Malting Tower, Tett Centre | Free | Handcrafted jewellery, rocks, minerals, and shiny gift-worthy treasures—shop 15+ local artists just in time for Mother’s Day.
*Hours vary each day. Click the orange header to learn more.

Kingston Potters’ Guild Spring Sale | Friday, May 2 – Monday, May 5 | Tett Centre (Rehearsal Hall) | Free | Stock up on handmade pottery just in time for Mother’s Day—four days of beautiful, functional ceramics from local makers.
*Hours vary each day. Click the orange header to learn more.

Announced

Diversity Dinner | Saturday, May 10 | 4:30–7:00 p.m. | École Mille-Îles | Free (donations welcome) | Celebrate Kingston’s vibrant multicultural community with authentic Pakistani/Indian cuisine, shared stories, and a whole lot of heart—proceeds support Martha’s Table.

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 🔥 

BGC South East kicks off its 25th May campaign—150 thousand dollar goal = 600 kids sent to camp.

Utilities Kingston just landed a 5-Star Safety Culture Award, ranking among Canada’s top workplaces for employee safety and well-being.

Miss Bao is Kingston’s only zero-waste restaurant—bold flavours, luxe vibes, and bao worth writing home about.

Weather

Friday
High 16°C 🌡️ Low 9°C | 🌧️ + 🌤️ 

Saturday
High 12°C 🌡️ Low 8°C | 🌧️ 

Sunday
High 16°C 🌡️ Low 9°C | ☁️ 

🌡️ See today’s weather | 🚗 Live traffic  | ⛽ Local gas prices

Signing Off

That’s your weekend roundup, Kingston! May is bringing tons of fun, so don’t miss out on all the action, and keep those local biz tips coming — we love hearing from you!

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