Scream it from the rooftops – spring is here! We’re looking forward to throwing open the windows and welcoming the season of mud and migration with some seriously fun events in South Eastern Ontario.
If you’re looking for eclipse events across the region, please read more on our Solar Eclipse page. In the meantime, sit back and let us help plan your calendar for April! Get ready to bloom in SEO with these 23 events.
Bay of Quinte
1. Belleville Theatre Guild: Hilda’s Yard
Canadian playwright Norm Foster thrills again with a touching and heartfelt comedy that covers themes of life, love, and social change in the span of one day! Presented by the Belleville Theatre Guild, Hilda’s Yard is being staged from April 4 to 19 at the Pinnacle Playhouse. Get your tickets soon!
2. Tegan and Sara at The Empire Theatre
Tegan and Sara have been touring for 25 years and are constantly evolving their live show – which means no two nights are ever the same. See them live at The Empire Theatre in Belleville for an unforgettable and intimate acoustic evening on April 2. Did you know they have sold more than one million records and released 10 studio albums, including their latest release, Crybaby? Be there!
Prince Edward County
3. Raclette Sundays at Lighthall Vineyards
It’s back, baby! Your Sundays are about to get cheesy. On April 7, 14 and 21 from noon to 3 p.m. Raclette Sundays will be melting your heart during afternoons of hot raclette cheese on a baguette, drinks and good company. We hear Lighthall will also be offering progression mimosas and non-alcoholic mimosas. Cue the mouth-waters.
4. Countylicious
Savouring local flavour, sharing community love! Form April 4 to 28 indulge in dishes from local restaurants and take the opportunity to get to those spots you’ve been eager to try. Support the vibrant PEC culinary scene and savour while celebrating the renewal of spring. Get ready two-course lunches or three-course dinners showcasing locally-sourced ingredients!
5. Radia: BigLake Winter Concerts
Witness Radia’s unique singular musical style on April 4 at the Drake Devonshire, which brings together extensive classical training with loop pedal techniques. Violist Ryan Davis is Radia, an innovative composer-performer, who combines the inspiration of classical, folk, electronic, and hip-hop music.
Lennox & Addington
6. Lennox Community Theatre
See community theatre at its finest in Selby! Lennox Community Theatre presents Jonas and Barry in the Home by Norm Foster from April 5 to 20. Showings at 7:30 p.m. with matinees being held on April 7, 14 and 20. Reserve your tickets early!
7. Stargazing Tours and Astrophotographers Assemble
Shutterbugs unite! The Astrophotographers Assemble on Saturday, April 13 at the L&A Dark Sky Viewing Centre will be an informal evening where night sky photographers of all skill level are encouraged to visit and photograph the stars. What’s more, Laser-Guide Stargazing Tours are taking place on Friday and Saturday nights near a new moon. But in April there will be three laser-guided tours – April 5, April 6 and a bonus on April 7. Each event starts about an hour after dark and last about 60 minutes. Take your turn looking through the 16” Dobsonian Telescope! This is a wonderful way for novice stargazers to get to know the night sky. All events are free and weather permitting.
Kingston
8. Kingston Trolley Tours
Learn intriguing tidbits and behind the scenes notes about Canada’s first capital city – Kingston! A one-hour guided trolley tour is a great way to explore the history and iconic visitor attractions. See the historic old town and shopping district, Fort Henry and the Kingston Penitentiary. The City Tour is offered on Saturdays and Sundays in April, daily starting April 20; be sure to reserve a spot on the bright red trolley.
9. Creative Kingston Walking Tours
Visit locations with hidden special meaning to Kingston’s film, music and literary scene! Discover Kingston’s cinematic marvels by seeing recent production locations; explore Kingston connections of notable Canadian authors while visiting landmarks that inspire, and dive into the musical stories of Kingston by visiting places where some of Canada’s most talented musicians cut their teeth – and continue to thrive.
10. Land of Talk at the Broom Factory
As the creative force behind the influential Canadian outfit Land of Talk, Montreal-based songwriter, Lizzie Powell, has amassed four albums that stretch the boundaries of indie rock. Now they’re performing at The Broom Factory on April 25. Don’t just talk the talk… get your tickets.
1000 Islands Gananoque
11. Meet the Donkeys at Berry Homestead Farm
Get up close and personal with these darling donkeys! Berry Homestead Farm near Lyndhurst offers donkey visits – more than an hour will see you learning about donkeys, petting them in pasture and getting a real appreciation for them in the process! Please note that visits are by appointment. Be sure to look for the donkey milk soap and elderberry products, too! Read more about farm experiences in the 1000 Islands Gananoque area.
1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways
12. Delta Maple Syrup Festival
Celebrate liquid gold! The Delta Maple Syrup is set for April 20 and 21 paying tribute to the first harvest of the season – maple syrup. This has been a spring event in Delta for 57 years, held on the third weekend in April, featuring pancakes with local maple syrup, wagon rides, sales of maple products and crafts, as well as a huge book sale and children’s activities! The Delta Mill Society also opens the Old Stone Mill National Historic Site for special demonstrations, exhibits and tours. It’s the sweetest time of the year.
13. Merrickville Heritage Classic
An annual favourite! Reconnect with running friends and make new ones on Saturday, April 27 while running a 2K, 5K, 10K or half marathon. This friendly, fun run in beautiful Merrickville is capped off by cool medals designed and manufactured in the village by Alloy Foundry Company Ltd. (the Village Metalsmiths).
14. Daffodil Days
Each spring, thousands of daffodils bloom beside roads, along fences, in public spaces and in private gardens in Rideau Lakes. Known as the Daffodil Capital of Ontario, Rideau Lakes brings spring to a new level with the vibrant yellow flowers ushering in the new season. Experience the beauty: look here for a variety of picturesque locations.
Brockville
15. History Talk at the Brockville Museum
Explore Brockville’s fascinating social and industrial history with the museum’s Community Program Coordinator on the second Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. This month the talk is on April 11 with a topic of Our American Neighbours – Brockville’s Relationships with Morristown and America and will run for about 45 minutes. The cost is $5/person plus HST and that includes tea.
16.Fanaticcon
Find the best in vintage toys, comics, retro games, art, costuming, entertainment and more! Fanaticcon is set for April 28 at St. Lawrence College, 2288 Parkdale Ave. in Brockville. Get ready for fantastic fun.
SDG Counties
17. Raisin River Canoe Race
One of the longest canoe races in Eastern Ontario! On the water Saturday, April 13, it runs 30 km from St. Andrews to Williamstown and started in 1973. Now in its 51st year, the Raisin River Canoe Race is always held during the spring freshet when water levels are high and flows are favourable for paddlers. With rapids, a dam, portage and Devil’s chute to navigate, this event is exciting to participate in – or watch!
18. Maple Weekend
Ontario’s Maple Weekend is ready to sweeten up your spring! From April 6 to 7, maple syrup producers from across the province will showcase the craft of traditional maple sugaring letting visitors taste why pure Ontario maple syrup is a favourite springtime treat. Maple producers in SDG Counties are participating! Tour the sugar house at Wightman Sugarbush, explore the process at Grandpa’s Sugar Shack, enjoy maple cones, taffy – and the pancake house – at Sandroad Sugar Camp, or get in touch with La Sucrerie a Frank Sugar Shack to discover more maple goodness!
Cornwall
19. St. Lawrence Marathon
This event is a certified qualifier for the Boston Marathon! It’s set to return on Saturday, April 27, with a route that follows the St. Lawrence River from Crysler Park Marina near Morrisburg to the finish line at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall. The event also offers half-marathon (21.1 km), 10 km and 5 km distances along the scenic Waterfront Trail.
20. Cornwall & Area Lifestyle Expo
Featuring the latest trends and styles in home improvement, health, real estate, wellness, housing and lifestyle, the Cornwall & Area Lifestyle Expo from April 26 to April 28 is celebrating all things business and fun at the Benson Centre!
21. Eco Day
Wrap up Earth Week on April 20 with the fourth annual Eco Day in Cornwall! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. residents are invited to Lamoureux Park for all ages activities and information including a landfill diversion challenge. Look for the St. Lawrence River Institute, Cornwall’s Youth for Climate Action Working Group, Transition Cornwall+, and Cornwall Transit on site. We hear that the Raisin Region Conservation Authority will also be hosting their annual tree giveaway!
Prescott-Russell
22. Broue & Chew Road Trip
Have you heard? Be tempted this spring by the many local products grown and prepared by artisans, producers and chefs in Prescott-Russell. Explore the Broue & Chew Road Trip routes, outlined on a special map to follow your taste buds around the county – and be prepared to fall in love with authentic local food and drinks! From breweries to cheese and from alpacas to gelato there’s something marvellous to discover around every bend in the road.
Plus Ontario Maple Weekend happens April 6 & 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit a participating sugarbush and explore how maple syrup is made, taste the fresh 2024 batch of maple syrup, and experience all that is maple.
There’s so much on the go in SEO! Which event will you take in first as we hop into spring?
The information provided here is current at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please check websites for listings of upcoming events, costs, availability and weather conditions that may affect operations.
