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Celebrating all things Hamilton / Welcome Message
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

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

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?

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

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…
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…
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…

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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.


Arts + Culture

AGH exhibit evokes childhood summers

Elizabeth Lennie’s Story and Stardust collection, on display until Aug. 2, is a colourful, nostalgic trip down memory lane. In a room behind the Art Gallery of Hamilton gift shop, brightly coloured paintings invoking childhood memories of warm days on northern lakes are lined up around the…
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…
Food + Drink

FOOD SCENE FOCUS: DINING ACROSS HAMONT

From hidden gems to happening hotspots, the local food scene is full of flavour. In each issue of HCM, Diane Galambos takes you on a delicious tour of the culinary corridors worth exploring across Hamilton and Burlington. Wouldn't it be fun to eat your way…
Arts + Culture

HAMILTON FRINGE FESTIVAL 2026 MINI-REVIEWS

HAMILTON CITY Magazine theatre reviewers have taken in Hamilton Fringe Festival shows all across our city and delivered fast and fun takes on what they see. Check them all out here, including our critics' picks for Best of Fringe! Fringe 2026 is 55 plays and 400 performances at…
City Life

Hounds of Hamilton

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…
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…
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

CITY VIEW: A cancer crusader

Nancy McMillan is a breast cancer survivor who has chaired the BRIGHT Run fundraiser since 2012. It has raised $6.6 million for local cancer research. NANCY McMILLAN was born in Ottawa and spent time growing up in Toronto, New York, Vancouver, and Ottawa, mostly in that order. She…