Find the thrill in the chill: Your January winter-fresh List is here
It’s cold - but it’s still a new year and new experiences beckon! Keep your calendar full by starting January off with a bang. Attending events in South Eastern Ontario certainly brings the heat to the coldest month of the year. Embrace the beauty of winter and let Jack Frost know that there’s snow place like SEO - all year through!
Until January 15: Alight at Night Festival Upper Canada Village
See it to believe it! Dress warmly and take an evening stroll through the festive light-filled village in Morrisburg as more than a million lights enhance heritage buildings and scenes at Upper Canada Village. Open on select nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Witness this true winter wonderland! Psst - kids under 17 are free right now with the Canada Strong Pass, and young adults (18-24) can enjoy 50% off too! Select nights until Jan 15, book here.
Apres ski, apres skate: Kemptville and North Grenville
This area is a winter dream - there are three ways to really get to the heart of North Grenville during the snowy season. Skate the Kemptville Creek from Curry Park all the way to the downtown core. To top it off, it’s lit after sunset and there’s free parking! Cross country ski the Kemptville Winter Trail, a 5.5 km groomed trail nestled in the heart of Kemptville within Ferguson Forest Centre, or snowshoe through the Jack Henry Snowshoe Trail in the enchanting Limerick Forest! Afterwards, stop by shops in downtown Kemptville like Bubba & Bugs Coffee Bar to warm up and then head for dinner and a drink fireside at the Kemptville Brewing Company.
January 17: DION Ignite the Night Snowshoe Race Morrisburg
This nighttime race supporting Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Family Care Fund is set to impress at Upper Canada Village. This is the first event in 2026 Dion Canadian Snowshoe Running Series sanctioned by Snowshoe Canada. A unique race in a stunning venue - just don’t forget your headlamp!
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January 23 to 25: Aultsville Film Festival
Cornwall’s Independent Film Festival will be lights, camera, action at Aultsville Theatre as The Aultsville Film Festival returns over three days. The Festival invites film enthusiasts to come together for a weekend of powerful storytelling, connection and red-carpet moments.
January 23: Abby Stewart at the Isabel Bader Centre
Abby Stewart may be a Kingston native, but this professional songwriter and country singer is no stranger to the international stage. She has opened for Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks, Hunter Hayes and sang with Dean Brody, Dallas Smith to name a few and now is performing in her hometown!
January 24: County Classic Bonspiel - Deep Canadiana Edition
Get ready for some fun on the ice, ya hosers! It’s the fourth annual Prince Edward County Classic and fun is once again a priority. No curling experience needed - but a good attitude is required. Experience a County welcome and great Canadian pastime! Proceeds go to the PEC Mental Health.
January 28: Hotel California at the Brockville Arts Centre
This is it, folks: The original tribute to The Eagles. This is the pioneering band that showed the world how good a tribute band could be and rewrote the framework of tribute productions. Hotel California has toured relentlessly since the 1980s. Catch them live in Brockville!
January 31: Sanctuary Moonlight Ski/Snowshoe
Join in this magical night! Ski or snowshoe walk through the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary under the moonlight starting at 6:45 p.m. No equipment? No problem - rentals are available. Check Facebook for updates as the date approaches.
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Throughout January…
Skating at Springer Market Square in Kingston
Historic Springer Market Square is the perfect place to embrace winter, as the outdoor square turns into a public skating rink during the winter months! Lace up to enjoy the ambiance of the vibrant downtown and skate every day in January from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., depending on the weather. Know before you go - watch the pretty downtown live feed featuring the rink!
Snowshoeing and Skiing at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation
Explore this beautiful conservation area by snowshoe or ski with rentals on site. Beginner cross-country ski lessons are offered on Saturdays, with a guided snowshoe hike on Sundays. Little Cataraqui Creek boasts 13 km of groomed and track-set trails for classic cross-country skiing and more trails that are designated for dog walking, walking and snowshoeing, etc. Experience the wonder of winter and nature!
Get skiing or snowboarding! This is the winter to learn or brush up on skills at Big Ben Ski Centre! The hill is open off of Seventh Street West, offering a wire cable lift with two handles, snowmaking, grooming and a terrain park. Night skiing is a fun popular addition and look for teen nights and lessons!
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Watch wild hockey action: Belleville Senators and Kingston Frontenacs
Exciting hockey, rabid fan support! The Belleville Senators are an AHL affiliate for the Ottawa Senators and promise big games at the CAA Arena. The games are played throughout the season with home games on the January schedule. Down the road, The Kingston Frontenacs hit the ice for fast-paced OHL games at the Slush Puppie Place in downtown Kingston - with lots of home games in January. Cheer on the home team!
There are snowy trails to discover and fun places to play indoors, all across South Eastern Ontario.
