April showers bring… exciting events in SEO!
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. Kick start spring in South Eastern Ontario with these 33 April events!
1. Throughout April: Journey to the High Arctic at Quinte Museum of Natural History
Discover a brand new exhibit at the Quinte Museum of Natural History that showcases the remarkable wildlife and changing landscapes of the High Arctic! This is alongside the museum’s regular dinosaur exhibit and more.
2. Throughout April: Oeno Gallery Presents in Breathe in Bloomfield
Pause, exhale, and experience a moment of stillness! Oeno Gallery welcomes you to Breathe: a curated group show of artists that encourages reflection through paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and fibre art.
3. Until April 11: Forest Muse Exhibit in Cline House Gallery
Carrie Keller’s art focuses on the love of nature and art and now Forest Muse is exhibiting at the Cline House Gallery in Cornwall this month! View Forest Muse free at the Cline House Gallery Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. April 3 to 6: Easter Weekend at Happy Little Farmstead in Spencerville
Start your weekend with egg-citing Easter activities and meeting adorable baby animals! Meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs, pet baby farm animals, take a wagon ride, get your face painted and more.
5. April 4: Egg-streme Easter Fun at the Museum in Kingston
This Easter egg scavenger hunt is a local favourite! Now in its fourth year, it sees families hunt across both the Canadian Museum of Health Care and Murney Tower Museum for crafts, prizes and more! This is a timed entry event that requires registration.
6. April 4: Free Easter Event in Gananoque
Hop on down to Gananoque for some egg-citing fun! With Easter bunny visits, a face painter, Spider-Man, Alice in Wonderland, games, crafts and bubbles, it’s sure to put a spring in your step.
7. April 4: Kingston ComiCon
This is the place to find geeky cool! With vendors selling comic books, toys, video games, sports cards, jewelry and much more, stop by to meet special guests, Brett Kelly, George Buza, Catherine Disher and Dan Day!
8. April 4 and 5: Ontario Maple Weekend
Experience maple demonstrations, taste syrup samples, enjoy pancake breakfasts and taffy on snow while learning about the process of making maple syrup during this sweet season at Ontario Maple Weekend! Taste why pure Ontario maple syrup is a fav spring treat. Participating producers from across South Eastern Ontario are ready to welcome you, from Frontenac to Kemptville and from Wendover to Lancaster. Find the full map and plan your route!
9. April 6: Bunnies on a Boat in Kingston
Bunnies are on the loose! Furry friends are taking over the Great Lakes Museum this spring - search for these stowaways hidden throughout the Museum and end the adventure with a bunny-themed craft. Visitors may just get a sweet treat for participating, too! Advance registration is required.
10. April 9 to 26: Spring Countylicious in PEC
This celebration of community and vibrant flavours of The County sees a prix-fixe menu offered at participating restaurants in PEC, thoughtfully crafted to showcase locally-sourced ingredients.
11. Until April 19: Quintelicious in Belleville
Get ready for an exciting culinary experience bursting with local flavours! Quintelicious is a prix-fixe experience with special menus. Plan your delicious adventure and try as many as possible this month. It’s an adventure of the palate!
12. April 10, 25 and 30: Music at The Pews in Merrickville
Listen up this spring as brilliant music is taking the stage at The Pews in Merrickville! This historic venue is playing host to Allison Lupton Trio on April 10; The Family Name with Anya Perry on April 25, and Valdy on April.
13. April 10 and 11: Laser Guided Stargazing Tour in L&A County
Get a laser-guided tour of the night sky at the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area! These popular stargazing nights are on the calendar the Friday and Saturday nights near a new moon, weather permitting. The tours are a great way for novice stargazers to get to know the night sky.
14. April 10 to 12: South Grenville Guild of Fine Art Spring Show and Sale
If a quieter kind of spring outing appeals, set your course for Prescott and spend some time with local art! The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art’s Spring Art Show & Sale brings together original work by regional artists in a relaxed, welcoming setting that suits an easy browse, a thoughtful purchase, or simply an afternoon spent taking in something creative close to home.
15. April 11: Model Train and Toy Show in Prescott
For a spring stop with a little nostalgia and plenty to explore, make time for the Third Annual Model Train & Toy Show. Are you a longtime enthusiast or just curious to see what is drawing visitors? Either way, you’ll find lots to see! Operating layouts, displays, and tables of trains, toys, and collectibles make this an easy event to enjoy at your own pace.
16. April 11: Disco Fever 70s Dance Party in Picton
Get out the bell bottoms and platforms: it’s dancin’ time! Disco beats and a roomful of energy will usher in spring at the Disco Fever 70s Dance Party at Elks Lodge in Picton. Doors open at 8 p.m. Burn baby, burn!
17. April 11: Raisin River Canoe Race
One of the longest canoe races in Eastern Ontario! On the water Saturday, April 11, it runs 30 km from St. Andrews to Williamstown and started in 1973. Now in its 53rd 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!
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18. April 11: Under Paris Skies in Kingston
Enjoy the timeless classics of Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, Jacques Brel, and others performed by award-winning Canadian songstress Jill Barber and the Kingston Symphony, with guest conductor, Lucas Waldin.
19. April 11: Greater Napanee Garden Expo
A show, sale and speakers! The annual Great Napanee Communities in Bloom garden and nature event will see plants, seeds, fresh flowers, art and workshops. The 1000 Islands Master Gardeners will also be on hand to answer questions - a fun filled day with local gardening experts and vendors. Welcome spring!
20. April 11: Kingston Botanical Market
This is a market for plant people! The Kingston Botanical Market at the Tett Centre promises rare plants, local artisans, a free plant swap, and loads of items rooted in the botanical world! Admission is by donation to the Kingston Humane Society.
21. Mid-April to May: Daffodil Days in Rideau Lakes
Daffodil Days in Rideau Lakes runs from mid-April to mid-May 2026 – an idea that has blossomed into something to look forward to each spring. Every fall for the last two decades, residents of Rideau Lakes plant daffodil bulbs and come spring, tens of thousands of bright, yellow flowers adorn local roadsides, fences, public spaces, and private gardens.
22. April 18 and 19: The Delta Maple Syrup Festival
Celebrate liquid gold! The Delta Maple Syrup Festival pays tribute to the first harvest of the season – maple syrup. This has been a spring event in Delta for 59 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.
23. April 18: Astrophotographers Assemble in L&A County
Shoot for the stars - literally! The pristine night sky at Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area will be in prime form for this photography event where shutterbugs of all levels are welcome to photograph the stars. The event typically begins about an hour after dusk and lasts as long as you can stay awake!
24. April 18: Kuné World - The Missing in Kingston
Hear this 11-piece collective showcasing musicians from all over the world, including one Metis-Canadian! Kuné’s The Missing seeks to raise awareness about cases of missing people, from Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to unjustly imprisoned international artists and freedom fighters. The show is taking place at Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
25. April 18 and 19: Sheep Shearing at Topsy Farms
A unique experience - watch the team at Topsy shear the entire flock in less than two days! This is a free experience at Topsy Farms on Amherst Island - but participants must register.
26. April 24 to 26: Before the Summer Original Art Show in Gananoque
Now in its 11th year! Artists from across Eastern Ontario and further afield will be at this show taking place at the Firehall Theatre. It starts with a party on Friday, April 24 with live music and melds into a weekend of appreciating thoughtful and creative works! Free admission.
27. April 24 to 26: Bay of Quinte Home Show
Planning a reno? Looking for inspo? Building your dream home? The Bay of Quinte Home Show is your first stop for guidance, expert advice and inspiration all in one spot! Find trusted local and regional businesses featuring everything from landscaping, to home improvement to decor.
28. April 25: Gan Spring Rock 2026 in Gananoque
Three bands, two artists and one poet - all raising money for the Gananoque and Area Food Bank! Featuring hard rock, punky glam rock and foot stomping grooves, this event at The Royal Theatre Thousand Islands is sure to get your toes tapping!
29. April 25 to 26: Bath Artisans Spring Show
Seventeen artists are bringing everything from oil to watercolour and mixed media, and from turned wood to jewelry and everything in between! Look for the art draw, with all money raised going to the Lions’ Club to support three food banks.
30. April 25: St. Lawrence Marathon in Cornwall
This event is a certified qualifier for the Boston Marathon! It’s set to return on Saturday, April 26, with a route that follows the St. Lawrence River from Crysler Park Marina 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.
31. April 25 until fall: BEES! Swarming to the Pumphouse Museum in Kingston
Explore the fascinating world of bees! Hands on discovery makes way for movement and play in this immersive travelling exhibit. Walk through a giant honeycomb model, see a queen bee, explore how hives works and more! Exhibit opens April 25 and runs until the fall.
32. April 25-26: Cornwall and Area Pop Event (CAPE) in Cornwall
Get your CAPE on as this vibrant event returns Saturday, April 25 to Sunday, April 26 at The Benson Centre! It’s a comic/pop culture convention hosted annually in Cornwall featuring celebrity guests, cosplayers, artists, exhibitors, panels and more.
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Looking ahead…
33. May 1: TMFF Motorcycle Film Festival in Prince Edward County
This unique festival wheels into Prince Edward County in May with a special screening at the historic Regent Theatre! Featuring five award-winning motorcycle films from around the world, this film festival captures the spirit of motorcycling in all forms.
A big spring welcome back to:
Kingston Trolley Tours, running on weekends and starting daily April 18.
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises, running on weekends and starting daily on April 18.
Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market in Kingston, continuing on Sundays throughout April.
City Cruises Gananoque: Opening for the season mid-month.
Kingston Pen Tours: Opening for the season in early April!
Hop into spring in South Eastern Ontario!
