Copyright Kingstonist
Remembrance Day, marked annually on November 11 across Canada and in many countries around the world, is a military memorial day observed since the end of the First World War, to honour members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The day is observed on November 11 to recognize the end of WWI battles on “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” 1918, the day and time fighting ceased in accordance with the armistice signed earlier the same day. Here in the Kingston area, thousands will come together at a number of different events, remembering those who lost their lives while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as those veterans who remain with us, and those currently serving. With Remembrance Day 2025 coming up next week, we’ve collected information on the ceremonies and events occurring in Kingston and the area. Remembrance Day will be observed with an official City of Kingston Civic Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, as well as other ceremonies in the area, as listed below. The City of Kingston shared changes to municipal services as follows: Garbage, Green Bin and Recycling: There is no collection on Tuesday, Nov. 11. collection moves to the day after your normal pick-up day for the rest of the week. Sign up to be reminded of what to put out when at CityofKingston.ca/Collection. Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC): Closed on November 11. Administrative Offices: All administrative offices, including Housing and Social Services and Provincial Offences, will be closed on November 11. Kingston Transit: A weekday schedule is in effect. The administrative office will be closed. Transit customers can also find the information on Kingston Transit’s website, and Transit App. Kingston Access Bus: Operates with limited service on Monday. Call 613-542-2512 for schedules and more information. The following road closures will be in effect for the Remembrance Day Ceremony: King St. from Lower University Ave. to Barrie St. from 8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. King St. from Barrie St. to West St. from 10:20 a.m. to 12 p.m. Barrie St. from King St. to Stuart St. from 10:20 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bagot St. from West St. to Barrie St. from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ontario St. from West St. to Gore St. from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. for the Remembrance Day Ceremony Parade and Ceremony for HMCS Cataraqui. The municipal offices in South Frontenac Township will also be closed for two hours (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, to provide Township employees with the opportunity to attend a Remembrance Day Ceremony. No matter how you observe or mark Remembrance Day, keep in mind a number of ceremonies involve parades on public roadways, so be cautious in your travels, and plan ahead to give yourself and others the time needed. City of Kingston Civic Ceremony The City of Kingston Remembrance Day Civic Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at the Cross of Sacrifice, located in Macdonald Park, where King Street East meets George Street. The Civic Ceremony will be in French and English, have seating for veterans and those with disabilities, and an ASL interpreter will be present throughout. The City recommends that spectators be in place by 10:40 a.m. to see the parade march on ahead of the service. “Please note that during the ceremony at 11:00 a.m. and 11:02 a.m. a blank canon blast will take place to mark both the 11th hour and the conclusion of the 2 minutes of silence,” the City stated. The schedule is as follows: 9:15 a.m.: Community wreath-laying ceremony 10:15 a.m.: Veterans and military groups wreath-laying ceremony 10:45 a.m.: Civic Ceremony of Remembrance For those who cannot attend in person, the City of Kingston noted that YourTV Kingston will be filming the proceedings and plans to broadcast the events on Cogeco channels 13 and 700 as, well as channel 100 in HD on Epicoat at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. the same day. The City also offered the following tips on “ways to remember and honour members of the military and veteran community”: Observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. Purchase a wreath or poppy from the Royal Canadian Legion. To order a wreath, please call 613-544-5522. Visit the Veterans Commemorative Crosswalks at Lower Union Street and Ontario Street, and the National Memorial to the Fallen in Macdonald Park. City Hall will be illuminated red and white to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. South Frontenac Services Sand Hill Cemetery: Remembrance Day Service starting at 10:45 a.m., followed by a reception at Storrington Lions Club Hall in Sunbury. Cash bar. On-site parking. Sydenham Cenotaph: Branch 496 Royal Canadian Legion service starting at 10:45 a.m. Refreshments will follow at the Legion at 4361 Amelia Street. Verona Cenotaph: Ceremony starting at 10:45 a.m. A light lunch will be served afterwards at the Verona Free Methodist Church. Harrowsmith Parkette: Remembrance Day Service to be hosted by the metal poppies within the park. Please arrive for 10:45 a.m., service to start at 11:00 a.m. Township of Frontenac Islands Service On November 11, the Township will hold a Remembrance Day service on Howe Island, beginning at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony is set to begin at 10:45 at 50 Baseline Road, and a reception will follow at the Firehall. Find more details here. While no information was available online pertaining to a service on Wolfe Island, that service has traditionally taken place annually in front of Town Hall. Queen’s University The Queen’s community will gather in Grant Hall, 43 University Avenue, on Tuesday, November 11 to mark Remembrance Day. According to the university, the service, led by Erin Burns, Interfaith Chaplain, will start at 10:50 a.m., with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. A procession to the 5th Field Company Plinth to lay wreaths will follow the service. Everyone is then invited to Wallace Hall for fellowship and refreshments hosted by the Queen’s Military and Veterans Network. Classes are cancelled between 10:30 and 11:30 am. The Memorial Room, in the JDUC, near Wallace Hall, honours the Queen’s Fallen from WWI and WWII, and will be open for quiet contemplation on Remembrance Day. “As 2025 marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, the anniversary prompts reflection on a conflict that claimed an estimated 70 to 85 million lives. Among them were at least 175 members of the Queen’s community, including students, staff, and faculty who once looked ahead to promising futures. Their lives and sacrifices continue to be remembered,” the university detailed, “All members of the Queen’s community are encouraged to come together on Remembrance Day to recognize the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers and the bravery of those who continue to serve. The event is also open to the Kingston community.” A program for the service is available on the Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor’s website. Grant Hall was used as a military hospital and convalescent facility during the First World War, and during the Second World War, it was used as an entertainment centre for troops and a meal hall. To learn more about the Queen’s community’s contributions to the Canadian effort during First World War and Second World War, visit Queen’s University Archives website. CFB Kingston On November 11, 2024, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston will hold two Remembrance Day Ceremonies between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m., according to a media release. “Traffic delays are expected near the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) Memorial, located at the McNaughton Gate along Highway 2. Artisan Road will be closed, and Military Police will manage traffic flow at the McNaughton Gate and along Highway 2 during the ceremony. The second ceremony will take place at the Vimy Gate, located at the corner of Highway 2 and Princess Mary Avenue. A section of Princess Mary Avenue leading to the Vimy Gate will be closed during the ceremony,” CFB Kingston stated. “Remembrance Day is an occasion to honour the courage and sacrifice of Canadian Armed Forces members who have served and continue to serve our country.” Wilton Cenotaph ceremony The Lions Club of Odessa and District will be jointly participating with the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics in the presentation of the annual Remembrance Day Service at 10:30 a.m. at the Wilton Cenotaph in Wilton, Ontario. “We gather to remember those who fell and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. This Remembrance Day Service normally attracts around 300 people which includes Military, Veterans, school children, wreath layers, members of local, provincial and federal governments and Police, EMS and first responders also attend due to the aging Veterans,” Loyalist Township said. Due to large attendance, the Township has approved a temporary road closure request for Wilton for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. which allows the service to be held mainly on the street (Simmons Road at Fisk Road). The Township stated that attendees arrive very early to obtain parking and seating, and for wreath layers to receive their wreaths. The service includes a formation fly-by of vintage airplanes from the Kingston Ultralight Flying Club at approximately 11 a.m. Following the service, everyone is invited back to the Odessa Agricultural Society Palace, 231 Main Street, Odessa, for refreshments and fellowship. Attendees are asking to enter off County Rd 6. Napanee Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137 On Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, beginning at approximately 10 a.m., the Napanee Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137 will be holding its annual Remembrance Day Parade. “Please be advised that a temporary rolling road closure in Napanee will be necessary as the parade marches to the Cenotaph. A ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph before the parade marches back to the Napanee Legion at approximately 11:30 a.m.,” the Legion stated on Facebook. Please be aware that the parade route may result in minor traffic delays. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 560 will host its annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on Tuesday, November 11. The service will begin at 1 p.m. at the Legion’s Cenotaph, followed by Chili for Veterans, provided by Cover Catering. Live music from the Soggy Bottom Boys will take place in the Legion’s Main Hall from 1:30 to 5 p.m. The events are open to the public. The RCL Branch 560 is located at 734 Montreal Street. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 631 While no information was available online, RCL Branch 631 — the Matthew J. Dawe Memorial Legion, or “Collins Bay Legion” — traditionally holds a ceremony at their cenotaph on Hillview Road near Mona Drive. With a parade leaving the Legion to head to the cenotaph, members of the public are advised to arrive well in advance of the 11 a.m. ceremony. RCHA Ceremony at City Park The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade Association (RCHA) will host a special ceremony in City Park (at Barrie & King) on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 10:45 a.m., conducted by Dave McKeever (veteran). Second regiment (2RCHA) from Petawawa will be present to hold vigil at the memorial and fire rounds before and after the two minutes of silence. Wreaths will be placed with the assistance of Gunner Officer Cadets from Royal Military College. Michael K Myers will sing the national and royal anthems. Trumpeter Janet McCrae and a piper from the Princess of Wales’ Own regiment will play the Last Post, a Lament, and the Rouse during the two minutes of silence. Students from Sydenham School will also be taking part in the ceremony, presenting the commitment to remember. All are welcome at the RCHA, 193 Ontario St., for a reception following the ceremony. Details on the RCHA website. Do you know of additional Remembrance Day events in the Kingston area that we’ve missed listing here? Leave them in the comments!
