Kingston going all-out to honour The Tragically Hip’s farewell concert

Final concert to be feted Aug. 20-22 in Kingston

Published Jun 21, 2026  •  Last updated 3 minutes ago  •  6 minute read

Kingston band The Tragically Hip take their final bows at the last show of their 2016 farewell tour in their hometown Photo by David Bastedo

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since The Tragically Hip said goodbye to the country with their 2016 farewell tour before frontman Gord Downie’s untimely death at the age of 53 in 2017 from a brain tumour.

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The band’s final show of that cross-Canada trek in their hometown of Kingston on Aug. 20, 2016, saw 6,700 fans come together at a sold-out K-Rock Centre (now Slush Puppie Place), while outside the arena an additional 25,000 fans gathered together to watch the livestreamed concert in Springer Market Square.

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In total, at least 11 million people watched the concert on CBC across Canada.

A decade later, the band’s hometown is planning to commemorate that final goodbye as Tourism Kingston, the Kingston Music Office and the Downtown Kingston BIA have come together to present a weekend of events from Aug. 20 to 22.

“The band’s management has certainly been involved to ensure that everything is within their rights, although they won’t necessarily be part of the specific weekend,” said Moira Demorest, the music officer for Tourism Kingston.

Kingston’s Springer Market Square hosted 25,000 people to watch The Tragically Hip’s final show of their 2016 farewell tour. (Visit Kingston) Photo by Visit Kingston

Lots of music, other events

First up on Aug. 20 is Rockin’ the Square featuring Choir! Choir! Choir! in Springer Market Square as hundreds (possibly thousands) of voices come together to mark 10 years to the day since the band’s final concert in Kingston.

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The evening of live performances will feature an interactive community singalong led by Choir! Choir! Choir!, inviting fans to sing through some of The Hip’s greatest songs, along with tribute performances from notable Kingston musicians including Miss Emily, The Abrams and Kasador’s Cam Wyatt and Thom Draper (the band of guitarist Rob Baker’s son Boris), with more to be announced.

“It will be a full-fledged concert with many songs, with live performances by Choir! Choir! Choir!,” said Demorest. “So it’s sort of an interactive community singalong of Tragically Hip’s greatest songs. And then there will be some tribute performances from some notable Kingston musicians, too.”

Following that on Aug. 21 in Springer Market Square, catch videos and clips on the big screen that reflect on The Tragically Hip’s ongoing legacy in Kingston.

“There are going to be some music videos streamed throughout the day,” said Demorest. “These will music videos of the Tragically Hip and also sort of notable Kingston artists.”

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There are lots of photo ops at The Tragically Hip’s mural in Kingston. (Visit Kingston) Photo by Visit Kingston

Walking Tour, Merch Market details

The Kingston Music Office will also offer Music Walking Tours and host a Music Merch Market.

“So the Music Walking Tour sort of tells some of the Hip story,” said Demorest. “And a bit of a Hip focus of our creative music walking tours that we’ve already designed but also weaving in the lasting legacy of pieces for every kind of music fan. And the Music Merch Market so that really is a showcase of local musicians and makers, but that’s where we want to showcase the lasting legacy of our music community.”

Later in the evening on Aug. 21, Springer Market Square will host a free screening of Long Time Running (2017), the feature documentary that followed The Tragically Hip’s 2016 Man Machine Poem cross-Canada tour and final concert in their hometown of Kingston.

“We hope throughout the weekend to have as many people as possible,” said Demorest. “but we do a weekly movie in the square, so there’s usually a few thousand. So I’m sure it will be a busy weekend in that square.”

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Finally, on Aug. 22 will be a special community viewing party for CBC’s commercial-free rebroadcast and global livestream of The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration.

The concert will be shown on the big screen in Springer Market Square.

“We hope to have somewhere near (the 25,000 people who gathered in 2016) for those that want to commemorate,” said Demorest. “Certainly, we’ll be gathering at that time to watch the rebroadcast.”

Go right to the water’s edge at the Gord Edgar Downie Pier in Kingston. (Visit Kingston) Photo by Visit Kingston

Ten ways for fans to experience The Tragically Hip in Kingston:

1. Music From Miles Around Exhibit: This free, year-long exhibition exploring the city’s rich and far-reaching music history will launch in June. Located in Market Wing in City Hall, visitors can experience never-before-seen artifacts, personal stories and behind-the-scenes pieces connected to Kingston’s most iconic band.

2. Play Me Kingston: Starting in August, there will be a new Downtown Kingston BIA temporary public art installation. Titled Play Me Kingston, the installation will transform downtown into a living gallery featuring 10 large-scale guitar sculptures — five 6-foot (vertical) sculptural pieces and five 3-foot (horizontal) pieces designed by local and regional artists and inspired by Kingston’s music scene.

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3. It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken: The new jukebox musical will make its way to Kingston this fall (Oct. 22). Built around The Tragically Hip’s timeless hits, this show brings an original narrative to life through the songs that helped shape Canada’s musical identity. Tickets on sale now.

4. Creative Kingston Music Walking Tours: Explore The Tragically Hip’s story through Kingston with the Music Creative Walking Tour, a free, self-guided route connecting visitors to places tied to the band’s early years and lasting legacy.

5. The Backstage Suite, Frontenac Club: For fans wanting a full Hip experience, the Frontenac Club offers the Backstage Suite, celebrating the band and Kingston’s music scene. Its central location puts fans within walking distance of all the top sites, making it the perfect home base for a musical adventure. With exposed brick, a large soaker tub and fireplace, guests can unwind in their suite surrounded by iconic Hip memorabilia.

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6. The Tragically Hip Mural, Waterfront Pathway: A must-see for fans, this iconic mural is located along the Waterfront Pathway, just a four-minute walk from Kingston City Hall.

7. Local pubs, Downtown Kingston: Clark Hall Pub (Queen’s University), the oldest student-run pub in Canada, first opened its doors in 1971 and was officially established as a student-run pub in 1975. One of the few original venues still operating from the band’s earliest days, it was a regular early gig spot for them. Since The Hip lost a Battle of the Bands competition on its stage in the 1980s, this student-run music venue has maintained a strong presence in the local music scene. The Toucan & Kirkpatrick’s pub, previously known as the Terrapin Tavern, is one of the first places The Hip performed. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the pub has been a mainstay for live music in Kingston for decades. Rumour has it: When The Hip played the Terrapin Tavern in the early days, drummer Johnny Fay would head to the basement between sets to finish his high school homework.

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8. The Tragically Hip Way and The Hip Sign: The street outside Slush Puppie Place (known as the K-Rock Centre in 2016) was renamed The Tragically Hip Way in 2012 to honour the band’s impact on Kingston and to commemorate the place where band members took their final bow. In 2024, the “THE HIP” sign was installed with an interactive element where fans can stand in for the “I.”

9. The Hip Tribute Stone in Springer Market Square: Home to a commemorative stone engraved with lyrics from Blow at High Dough, Springer Market Square is a popular fan gathering spot.

10. Gord Edgar Downie Pier at Breakwater Park: Downie, late lead singer of The Tragically Hip, once lived across from the pier and supported Lake Ontario Waterkeeper as a board member and Swim Drink Fish ambassador. In 2017, as the Breakwater Park project began, Kingston City Council unanimously voted to name the renovated dock after him with “Edgar” included to honour his father.

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