Kingston’s official kick‑off to summer brings together live music, local flavours and festival energy on June 13, 2026
Kingston, ON – Summer starts here! YGK Craft Beer Fest returns to Fort Henry on Saturday, June 13, 2026, inviting guests to raise a glass and celebrate the start of summer at Kingston’s favourite waterfront festival.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Ontario, YGK Craft Beer Fest delivers a vibrant festival experience featuring live music, scenic waterfront views, local vendors, artisan wares, gourmet food trucks, interactive elements, and a wide selection of craft beers, ciders, and specialty beverages. More than a beer festival, the event offers a fun celebration of community, culture, and summer vibes for friends and families of all ages who want to spend a memorable early‑summer day by the water.
The 2026 festival marks an exciting return to Fort Henry’s South Hill, the event’s original location, offering enhanced views, improved guest flow, and a more immersive setting. A newly added second performance stage dedicated to acoustic and local performers expands the live music offering and creates more opportunities to enjoy Kingston’s regional talent.
With the newly reconfigured site layout, this year’s festival places a strong focus on guest comfort and experience, including thoughtful design changes that support accessibility and ease of movement throughout the grounds. Updates to the entrance path and circulation routes ensure a more inclusive and welcoming experience for guests of all abilities. The popular reusable sample cup will also return, as part of the festival’s commitment to sustainability and convenience.
YGK Craft Beer Fest proudly celebrates Kingston’s local spirit, showcasing the region’s musicians, artisans, food vendors, craft beverage producers, and small businesses. From live entertainment and artisan shopping to great food and waterfront photo opportunities, the festival brings people together in a lively, community‑focused environment that feels both uniquely Kingston and unmistakably summer. Well‑behaved, leashed pets are welcome, making the event an accessible and enjoyable outing for the whole family.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 7, 2026, with advance ticket pricing available until June 5, 2026. Tickets are available with or without drink tickets, and all event details, including pricing and entry information, can be found at www.ygkcraftbeerfest.ca.
About Fort Henry
Fort Henry is a National Historic Site of Canada and a key site within the UNESCO‑designated Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications, built between 1832 and 1837 to defend the entrance to the Rideau Canal and the Kingston harbour. Today, Fort Henry is one of Kingston’s most iconic destinations, welcoming guests with immersive historic experiences, breathtaking views, and signature events that connect the past with the present. Millions of guests have enjoyed tours, heart-pounding musical performances and precision military demonstrations by the Fort Henry Guard, a highly disciplined group of student recruits trained as British soldiers from 1867.
About St. Lawrence Parks Commission
The St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario, operates facilities stretching from Kingston to the Quebec border, including Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada (and part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site designation); Kingston Pen Tours, Crysler Park Marina, Upper Canada Golf Course, Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and 10 campgrounds and 6 beach day-use picnic areas including the Long Sault and Thousand Islands Parkways.
Since 2019, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission has undertaken a series of major infrastructure improvements, culminating in a historic $82.2 million investment announced in 2025. These upgrades are part of a multi-year revitalization strategy aimed at modernizing facilities, improving environmental sustainability, and enhancing guest experiences across Eastern Ontario.
To learn more, visit www.parks.on.ca.
Media Contact
Katie Forrester
Communications & Media Relations Officer
St. Lawrence Parks Commission
Fort Henry
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