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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.


City Life

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes ownership stake in TD Coliseum

NBA superstar says Hamilton shaped who he is and he plans to offer events and programming at the arena through his charitable foundation. It is also presenting a new music production program for kids through the Hamilton Music Collective. NBA superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become part of the…
City Life

Hamilton honours Black city builders during Black History Month

City residents Ona Allen and Dr. Anthony McFarlane are now among 21 honourees in We Are Hamilton – Black History Remembered and HSR recognizes the contributions of multi-faceted artist Queen Cee with a bus wrap by stylo starr. Hamilton’s Black History Month celebrations include an HSR bus…
Arts + Culture

Match made in heaven: Dwayne Gretzky and the HPO

Popular cover band and Hamilton’s orchestra are teaming up on a Valentine’s Day show. But don’t ask what love songs they will playing … it’s a secret. Canada’s greatest party band and Hamilton’s classical orchestra are partnering on a unique Valentine’s Day concert. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra approached…
Arts + Culture

Frost Bites festival will warm up two winter weekends

Hamilton Theatre Festival Company’s 10-year-old event will feature two weekends of theatre, family activities, workshops and markets. Frost Bites runs Feb. 27 to March 1 and March 6 to 8. It’s been 10 years since Frost Bites first warmed up the dead of winter in…
Food + Drink

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

Here's a list of what has come, gone and changed in Hamilton and Burlington in January. Launched Fuel Grill (28 Barton St. E., Hamilton) A new fast casual restaurant has opened in the Barton and James North area, serving smash burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes. The recent grand opening…
Arts + Culture

Home, I’m Darling is a quirky look at nostalgia

This ensemble piece at Dundas Little Theatre effectively explores one couple’s blissful view of the 1950s – a time and place that might never have been. Making a tonal shift from its last production, the tense and consuming Death of a Salesman, Dundas Little Theatre’s mid-winter offering is…
Arts + Culture

IN PHOTOS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS 2026

A two-weekend CBC concert series of local talent, included past shows by Whitehorse, Cadence Weapon, Danny Miles, Julianna Riolino, Redhill Valleys and Ginger St. James. Shows on Feb. 6 and 7 will showcase Cam Kahin, AIOFE, Terra Lightfoot, and Logan Staats.
Arts + Culture

PREVIEW: Warm up in this frigid mid-winter with local theatre

Bonnie & Clyde, Alice in Wonderland JR., and Hansel & Gretel: A Pantomime are colourful, action-packed stories on Hamilton stages this weekend. In and around Hamilton this weekend, there are several productions being staged that feature larger casts, colourful and recognizable characters, and action-packed, memorable stories. While…