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Celebrating all things Hamilton / Welcome Message
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Theatre Ancaster’s A Chorus Line kicks up its heels

The entertaining and enduring Broadway classic is the first production on Theatre Ancaster’s 30th anniversary playbill for 2026-2027. Entering its final weekend of shows, Theatre Ancaster’s mainstage production of A Chorus Line provides a great opportunity to see a Broadway classic and be very well entertained by a…
Arts + Culture

It’s 10 years of the Bard under the stars for Tottering Biped Theatre

Hamilton’s Tottering Biped Theatre celebrates a decade of staging summer Shakespeare with its most ambitious season yet – three 2026 productions and many returning artists. Ten years is a milestone few indie theatre companies can boast. Amid economic challenges, competing entertainments, and changing audiences, making theatre as an…
Made in Hamilton

Saving the strays at Ladybird Animal Sanctuary

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

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…
City Life

Wesley: Never standing still

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

Kenadie, how do I talk to pretty girls?

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…
Arts + Culture

Now THAT was a Festival of Friends!

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

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

Festival season: Summer on parade

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…

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HAMILTON CITY Magazine’s mission is to tell the stories that celebrate the city’s past, present and future by featuring stunning photography, illustrations and world-class writing. It’s your city. It’s your magazine.


Food + Drink

DINING DISTRICTS: A Locke on food

This interesting west Hamilton street is ever-evolving, with newcomers joining long-time eateries to make for a true foodie destination. On the whole, my visits to Locke Street have all been linked to food. It must be said that I can think of over a dozen eateries that closed…
City Life

New Hamilton AHL team will be The Hammers

The New York Islanders affiliate will start play at TD Coliseum in October, bringing the league back to the city for the first time since the AHL's Bulldogs left in 2015. It may have been the obvious – perhaps inevitable? – choice. When the American Hockey League affiliate…
Arts + Culture

There is plenty of ambition in HPO’s next season

Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s nine-concert mainstage program will feature acclaimed Canadian soloists, the debut of several new works, movie classics, the beloved Carmen, and a holiday Murdoch Mystery show.  The next season of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra will feature a beloved opera, acclaimed Canadian soloists, sci-fi movie classics, and…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Matilda Jr. showcases bright young thespians honing their skills

Curtain Call Performing Arts Company’s sold-out run of the popular musical promised a ‘joyous romp,’ and it delivered in impressive fashion. Late last week, local performing arts company Curtain Call held four sold-out performances of the musical Matilda Jr., the culmination of its 2026 intermediate musical theatre program…
City Life

PWHL’s arrival a ‘major moment’ for Hamilton

The as-yet-unnamed team will be the 11th franchise in the fast-growing women’s hockey league and will play its home games at TD Coliseum. Girls and young women proudly wearing their hockey jerseys witnessed history in the making, as the city celebrated the official announcement of the new…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: New play is a potent tale

In Click Bush Train Bug, a talented local ensemble presents an intriguing fable set among Hamilton high school students at the end of the last millennium. Specificity in theatre is everything. A gesture or a line of dialogue that follows precision instead of vague abstractions is always a…
City Life

Learn all the nonna secrets at Hamilton workshops

Nonnamaxing is a cute and trendy label for slowing down, enjoying the little things in life, and cooking from scratch. You can learn how to do just that through lessons in soapmaking, candlemaking, and canning and fermenting. I was innocently scrolling Instagram a few days ago and…
City Life

Crown & Press series puts a spotlight on songs

Songs in the Round, led by Hamilton musician Elias Dummer (aka Frank Fiction), is an intimate experience with songwriters that is inspired by Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe. Ottawa Street’s Crown & Press is shining a light on the art of songwriting with its Songs in the Round music…