The Ultimate Kingston Garage Sale Guide: Best Neighborhoods, Days, and Tips for 2026
One person's decluttering is another person's treasure hunt.
There's something magical about garage sale season in Kingston. The coffee in a travel mug. The crisp morning air. The thrill of spotting a sign at an intersection and following it to someone's driveway full of possibilities.
Whether you're a seasoned garage saler or a newbie looking for deals, Kingston has a rhythm to its garage sale scene. The right neighborhoods. The right weekends. The right strategies.
Here's everything you need to know to garage sale like a pro in Kingston.
When Is Garage Sale Season?
Peak season: May through September
Best days: Saturdays (prime), Fridays (early birds), Sundays (leftovers, better deals)
Start time: 8 AM is standard. Show up at 7 AM and you're "that person."
End time: Most wrap up by 2-3 PM
The 2026 reality: Some sales start Thursday now. Follow Facebook events for early access.
Best Kingston Neighborhoods for Garage Sales
Alvington Court Area
Why it's good:
- Family neighborhood
- Established homes
- Kids stuff, toys, clothes
- Multi-family sales common
Streets: Alvington Court, Kingsdale Avenue, Grenadier Drive
Best time: Saturday mornings
Polson Park Area
Why it's good:
- Mix of older and younger families
- Good turnover of items
- Often have multi-street sales
Streets: Polson Park, Hudson Drive, Norman Rogers Drive area
Skeleton Park / Sydenham Ward
Why it's good:
- Trendy neighborhood
- Vintage lovers shop here
- Higher-end items sometimes
- Quirky finds
Streets: Sydenham, Colborne, Alfred, Barrie
Note: Street parking is tight. Walk or bike if possible.
Kingscourt / Portsmouth Area
Why it's good:
- Family-oriented
- Consistent sales throughout summer
- Good for furniture and household items
Streets: Kingscourt Avenue, Portsmouth Avenue side streets
Bayridge / West End
Why it's good:
- Suburban sprawl = many sales
- Newer homes = newer stuff
- Often have community sales
Streets: Bayridge Drive area, Taylor Kidd Boulevard area
CFB Kingston (Military Family Housing)
Why it's good:
- Military families move frequently
- Great turnover of items
- Well-priced
- Community sales are excellent
Access: Usually open to public. Check signs for access.
Amherstview (just outside Kingston)
Why it's good:
- Slightly cheaper prices
- Less competition
- Often multi-family sales
Location: Just across the bridge, Loyalist Township
Must Read:-
How to Post Your First Ad on Fliku
10 Tips for Writing Effective Product Descriptions
How to Avoid Scams When Buying or Selling Online
9 Ways to Get Free Furniture & More
12 Best Places for Secondhand Deals
Community-Wide Sales (Mark Your Calendar)
Kingscourt Community Garage Sale
When: Usually first Saturday in June
Where: Kingscourt neighborhood
What: Dozens of homes participate. Maps available online.
Polson Park Community Sale
When: Usually second Saturday in June
Where: Polson Park area
What: Neighborhood-wide. Good for walking.
CFB Kingston Housing Community Sale
When: Usually June and September
Where: Military family housing areas
What: Excellent turnover. Good prices.
Amherstview Community Sale
When: Usually third Saturday in May
Where: Amherstview area
What: Town-wide. Worth the short drive.
Kingston-wide "City Sale"
When: No official city-wide sale, but the first Saturday of June is usually the busiest day of the year.
How to Find Garage Sales
Facebook Marketplace Events
Search "Garage Sale" in Events tab. Filter by date and location. Save interesting ones.
Kijiji Garage Sale Section
Go to Kijiji Kingston. Click "Garage Sales" category. Updated Thursday-Friday.
Drive Around Method
Look for signs at major intersections. Follow them. Old school, still works.
Best sign locations:
- Princess Street at major intersections
- Division Street
- Bath Road
- Gardiners Road
- Bayridge Drive
Community Bulletin Boards
Check at:
- Kingston Public Library branches
- Grocery store bulletin boards
- Coffee shops
Word of Mouth
Tell friends you're a garage saler. They'll text you addresses. The best sales aren't always advertised online.
What to Bring
The Garage Sale Kit:
Cash:
- Small bills ($5, $10, $20)
- Loonies and toonies
- Don't expect debit or e-transfer
Bags:
- Reusable bags
- Old grocery bags for fragile items
Water and snacks:
- Garage saling is walking. Walking is thirst.
Phone:
- Charged
- Google Maps open
- Facebook Events ready
Measurements:
- Tape measure for furniture
- Know your door widths and vehicle space
Vehicle:
- Empty trunk
- Blankets to protect items
- Rope or straps for large items
Friend:
- Second opinion
- Second set of hands
- Company
The Garage Sale Timeline
Friday:
- Check Facebook Events and Kijiji
- Map out route
- Note any "early bird" sales (some start Friday)
Saturday (Peak Day):
7:00 AM: Wake up, coffee, review map
7:30 AM: Hit the road (early but not too early)
8:00 AM: First sales start
10:00 AM: Peak crowds
12:00 PM: Lunch break, reassess
1:00 PM: Afternoon sales (some start late)
3:00 PM: Most sales winding down
4:00 PM: Last call, then heading home
Sunday:
- Leftover sales
- "Half price" or "fill a bag" deals
- Good for bargains, less selection
What to Look For (And What to Skip)
Gold:
- Brand name clothing (check labels)
- Vintage items (pre-1980s)
- Tools (quality brands)
- Kitchenaid mixers (old ones are better)
- Cast iron cookware
- Children's clothes (gently used)
- Books (50 cents each)
- Records (check condition)
- Furniture (solid wood, not particle board)
Skip:
- Car seats (expire, unknown history)
- Helmets (same reason)
- Cribs (safety standards change)
- Electronics (untested, no returns)
- Mattresses (bed bugs, stains)
- Upholstered furniture (inspect carefully)
- Anything with smoke smell
Negotiation Tips
The Rules:
- Be polite. It's someone's driveway, not a war zone.
- Bundling works: "Would you take $20 for this lamp and that chair?"
- Late day discounts: After 1 PM, sellers want stuff gone.
- Flaws = leverage: Point out damage politely, ask for discount.
- Cash is king: Exact change helps.
What to say:
- "I love this, but my budget is $15. Would that work?"
- "I'm buying several things. Best price if I take all?"
- "It's later in the day. Would you consider $10?"
What not to say:
- "This is worth $5 max" (insulting)
- "I'll give you $2" (on a $20 item priced fairly)
- "Can you hold this for me?" (they won't)
Selling at a Garage Sale
If you're the one selling:
Pricing:
- Price to sell, not to make a fortune
- Clothes: $1-5
- Books: 50 cents - $2
- Small household: $1-10
- Furniture: $10-50 (more if nice)
Signage:
- Big, clear signs at major intersections
- "GARAGE SALE" with arrow
- Address and dates
- Remove signs after sale ends
Setup:
- Tables make things look better
- Group similar items
- Clothes on racks (not piles)
- Electronics plugged in (if possible)
Timing:
- Start at 8 AM sharp
- Early birds will come at 7:30 anyway
- Run until at least 1 PM
Cash:
- Have $100 in change ($5s, $1s, coins)
- Keep cash on you, not in open box
The 2026 Digital Twist
Garage sales have gone hybrid.
Facebook Events:
Create an event. Invite neighbors. Share in local groups.
Marketplace Cross-Post:
Post big ticket items on Marketplace with "Can view at garage sale Saturday."
Fliku Local:
List items on Fliku with "Available for pickup at garage sale this weekend."
Neighborhood Email Lists:
Some Kingston neighborhoods have email lists. Spread the word.
Garage Sale Season Calendar
May:
- Season starts
- Amherstview Community Sale (third Saturday)
June:
- Peak season
- Kingscourt Community Sale (first Saturday)
- Polson Park Community Sale (second Saturday)
- CFB Kingston Sale (date varies)
July:
- Hot weather = fewer sales
- Focus on shaded neighborhoods
August:
- Pre-student sales
- Families selling before school
September:
- Second peak
- CFB Kingston Sale (possible)
- End of season rush
October:
- Winding down
- Indoor sales only
Why Fliku Complements Garage Sales
Garage sales are great for browsing. Fliku is great for finding specific items.
The strategy:
- Use Fliku year-round for furniture and electronics
- Use garage sales for treasures and deals
- Sell your overflow on Fliku after your garage sale
[Join Fliku Kingston - garage sales every day]
FAQ: Kingston Garage Sales
Q: What's the best day for garage sales?
A: First Saturday of June is the biggest. Saturdays in general are best.
Q: Do I need a permit for my garage sale?
A: No permit needed for occasional sales. Check city bylaws for frequency.
Q: Can I put signs on telephone poles?
A: Yes, but remove them after. City will fine if signs linger.
Q: What's the best neighborhood for bargains?
A: Amherstview and CFB Kingston often have great prices.
Q: What should I buy at garage sales?
A: Kids clothes, books, tools, vintage items, furniture you can refinish.
Q: What should I never buy?
A: Car seats, helmets, mattresses, untested electronics.
Q: How do I find sales on Sunday?
A: Check Facebook Events. Some sales run both days.
Q: Is haggling okay?
A: Yes, but be polite. Bundling works better than lowballing.
The Bottom Line
Garage sales in Kingston are a treasure hunter's paradise. The right neighborhoods, the right weekends, and a little patience can yield amazing finds.
Get out there early. Bring cash and a friend. And enjoy the hunt.
Found something amazing at a Kingston garage sale? Drop a comment. We love a good brag.
