Eleventh Season
Programming
The First Push!
July 24 starting at 7:30pm
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Come join us for The First Push! A Kick & Push Gathering, at The Backyard Bar & Grill, located at 285 Queen Street. Come mix & mingle with artists, audiences, and the K&P team as we celebrate the 11th summer season!
Festivities will get started at 7:30pm on July 24th.
Providence
July 25–August 3
Launch Event
July 26 from 3-5pm
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Join us for the official launch party for the 11th season of The Kick & Push Festival! Featuring drinks, food, and musical guests, come here all about what this season has in store for Kingston. Happening from 3-5pm in the Amphitheatre next to City Hall, beside Springer Market Square.
Metamorphosis
July 31–August 6
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Leisa Rich returns to K&P with a new myriad of interactive wearable art sculptures.
From Minotaur to Metro to the Cataraqui Mall, check out “The Daily Push” on our social media stories to learn where we’ll be popping up each day!
Brevity is the Essence of Wit
August 1 at 11am and 1pm
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Join performers from the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival for a summer Shakespeare K&P gathering!
You'll be invited into the world of the Bard as you watch artists work on some of their favourite monologues and scenes together. Plus, get additional insight into the process and what it takes to put together a Shakespearean performance!
Come experience these exciting free pop-up performances on August 1st on Sydenham St. by Balzacs at 11am and on Queen’s campus near Summerhill at 1pm.
Le Roi Boréal
August 7–9 at 9pm
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In partnership with Centre Culturel Frontenac, Kingston welcomes Boreas (god of the north wind), the majestic moose. He walks around with sounds, essence, and smells of nature. Le Roi Boréal is a time to see, hear, feel, and let yourself be carried away by this poetry.
Experience the spectacle in MacDonald Park at 9pm from August 7-9. A free experience, no tickets required.
TK Fringe
August 7–17
Why Don’t We Together
August 12-17
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Dear Bear Multi-Arts' Why Don't We Together is an electric and intimate audio-visual experience featuring original short stories, rich soundscapes, and immersive lighting!
Audiences collectively choose from a selection of audio stories by pushing a button. Once they do, the walls, seats, ceilings, and airwaves come alive to transport everyone into the world of each story.
Immerse yourselves in The Hut and discover the stories of Why Don’t We Together in the Grand Theatre Lobby at 218 Princess St.
Stories run for 5-10 minutes in length, and are free to experience with a ticket to a Fringe show in the Baby Grand or Davies Lounge.
Cedar Island Residency
August 14–16
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Note: unfortunately the 2025 Cedar Island Residency has been cancelled due to artist illness.
The Cedar Island Indigenous Artists Residency, in partnership with Parks Canada, returns for the 6th annual summer. Artists will create new work on Cedar Island, with performances held in the final week of the Festival. Enjoy a sunset boat ride to the island and a performance you won’t forget.
Love in the First Degree
August 14–17 at 7pm
Where the Wild Robots Are
August 16 at 1:30–3:30pm
August 17 at 11–5pm
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Join us at the Tett Gallery space on the 1st floor and step into a world where robot creatures come alive! This free drop-in style event is for people of all ages, especially those with an interest in tech, nature, and for those with a curiosity to learn and discover. Hold a robot, in your own hands, and guide it in conducting the other robots.
It is hands-on, and a low pressure ‘follow your curiosity’ style. The activity may take 30 - 90 mins to fully enjoy / complete depending on the interest of the participant. Be sure to bring your boundless imagination and open-mindedness to make it a big win!
We encourage you to check out our social media pages @thekickandpush to get up-to-date information on when and where our events are happening, especially the variety of free pop-up experiences this summer!