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Arts + Culture

Now THAT was a Festival of Friends!

By Dylan Hudecki
A huge summer storm threatened to derail an all-star 50th anniversary concert on Sunday. But resilient Canadian musicians, led by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, refused to give in, and delivered an epic, memory-making show. That capped off three great days of music, markets, midway and food at Gage…
Arts + Culture

IN PHOTOS: Festival of Friends 2026

By HCM
The Festival of Friends – its 50th year! – is in full swing at Gage Park. Featuring dozens of musical acts, market vendors, and lots of delicious food options, the festival wraps up with an all-star concert of local and Canadian acts on Sunday night! PHOTOS BY BOB…
Arts + Culture

Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida coming to Hamilton for book tour event

By Meredith MacLeod
Canadian music power couple release I’m Going to Break Your Heart: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Love Story, a joint memoir about working on love over nearly 30 years together. See them at the Playhouse Cinema for a discussion, book signing, and meet and greet on Aug.
City Life

Kenadie, how do I talk to pretty girls?

By Kenadie St. James
Welcome to the monthly column from Hamilton drag queen Kenadie St. James! Read on for the best bad advice you’ve ever had! Hamilton, your problems are officially about to get WORSE. 💋 Local drag legend Kenadie St. James is serving up catastrophically bad life advice in her new HAMILTON…
Made in Hamilton

Saving the strays at Ladybird Animal Sanctuary

By Meredith MacLeod
After rescuing nearly 1,900 animals over 16 years, Hamilton-based Ladybird Animal Sanctuary is close to creating a farm that will be a refuge for animals in desperate need. It all started with three friends working together for one unforgettable cat. Sweet Oliver the cat was the first…
Made in Hamilton

Made in Hamilton: The Mabel’s Labels Story

By Julie Cole
A frustrating parenting problem, a vision to solve it, and some tenacity helped a quartet of moms create an enduring brand. Read on for co-founder Julie Cole's six business lessons learned. Over 23 years ago, my sister and two friends, all of us former students…
Arts + Culture

Festival season: Summer on parade

By Carlye Morrow-Jackson
Here is your hot 2026 summer festivals guide for Hamilton and Burlington. You’ll find everything from inaugural events to two local traditions that are turning 50 years old this year! Our summers may be short but fortunately for us, the list of local festivals is long. Spend warm-weather…
City Life

Wesley: Never standing still

By Meredith MacLeod
The made-in-Hamilton non-profit began its work in a church basement 71 years ago. Focused on poverty, homelessness, and the complex social challenges at the root of those issues, Wesley’s more than 300 staff lead critical social programs in 17 locations in Hamilton and beyond. Ryan S. was…
City Life

CITY VIEW: A cancer crusader

By Meredith MacLeod
Food + Drink

ON THE MENU: WHAT’S OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE

By Suzanne Zandbergen
City Life

FOR THE LOVE OF HAMILTON

By Meredith MacLeod
Food + Drink

Easy Kitchen with Marisa Mariella

By HCM

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Happening Now

THINGS TO DO IN HAMILTON, BURLINGTON

By HCM
We are spoiled for things to see and do in #HamOnt and #BurlOn. HAMILTON CITY Magazine helps you keep up with it all. Think of us as your plugged-in friend who knows all the cool stuff happening around town! Get out and enjoy – and tell them HCM sent you!
City Life

Hounds of Hamilton

By HCM
We need a big dose of dogs these days so HAMILTON CITY Magazine's new feature celebrates the city's canines. Send in your dogs (and cats)! Escape the relentless news cycle, doom scrolling and polarizing politics, and find joy and laughter in pets. Hounds of Hamilton…
HCC
Food + Drink

ON THE MENU: WHAT’S OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE

By Suzanne Zandbergen
Here's a list of what has come, gone and changed in Hamilton and Burlington in July. Launched & opening soon Bar Origin (399 Elizabeth St., Burlington)Opened by renowned chef Claudio Aprile, Bar Origin is one of the area’s long anticipated openings this summer. Aprile…
Arts + Culture

Now THAT was a Festival of Friends!

By Dylan Hudecki
A huge summer storm threatened to derail an all-star 50th anniversary concert on Sunday. But resilient Canadian musicians, led by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, refused to give in, and delivered an epic, memory-making show. That capped off three great days of music, markets, midway and food at Gage…
Food + Drink

Hamilton’s short – and tempestuous – coffee culture

By Paul Weinberg
The consolidation of a small chain of shops and the sudden closure of Democracy Café on Locke Street after employees unionized, are the latest in the city’s relatively fleeting history in specialty java. It is getting harder to find a place in Hamilton that serves a decent…
Made in Hamilton

Hollow Co.: A custom solution

By Vanessa Green
Kat Scarrow launched The Hollow Co., an apparel printing business in Dundas, when she was consistently disappointed by the spirit wear offered at her kids’ school. When Kat Scarrow wasn’t happy with the options for spirit wear at her kids’ school, she didn’t complain. She did something…
City Life

Getting back on the VIA track

By Paul Shaker
It’s been 18 years since VIA Rail committed to stopping again in Hamilton, something the Crown corporation hasn’t done since 1992. The West Harbour station would allow VIA to directly serve Hamiltonians, but the trains still just pass through the city. It’s time that changes.  If you…
Arts + Culture

IN PHOTOS: Festival of Friends 2026

By HCM
The Festival of Friends – its 50th year! – is in full swing at Gage Park. Featuring dozens of musical acts, market vendors, and lots of delicious food options, the festival wraps up with an all-star concert of local and Canadian acts on Sunday night! PHOTOS BY BOB…
Arts + Culture

Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida coming to Hamilton for book tour event

By Meredith MacLeod
Canadian music power couple release I’m Going to Break Your Heart: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Love Story, a joint memoir about working on love over nearly 30 years together. See them at the Playhouse Cinema for a discussion, book signing, and meet and greet on Aug.
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