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Celebrating all things Hamilton / Welcome Message
Arts + Culture

‘I’m an Anna through and through,’ says Frozen star

It’s a challenging role and a demanding run of 45 shows in 40 days, but Jessica Gallant feels she was born to play the awkward and intrepid younger sister in the musical adaptation of the Disney hit. Editor’s note: Check out our Instagram on Wednesday, Dec. 17…
City Life

Reason for the season: Where you can help those in need during the holidays

There are many worthy local organizations dedicated to ensuring every child, adult and senior can experience some joy and hope this season. Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2 is the perfect opportunity to donate.  It’s that time of year again, when our hearts are full with the magic…
Arts + Culture

Drury Lane’s Cinderella is a holiday treat

There is a lot to like about this Christmas pantomime. From zany slapstick to on-point choreography, this community showcase is fun for the whole family. A holiday tradition across the world, Cinderella pantomime shows have a lengthy tradition going back centuries. Featuring outlandish costumes and slapstick comedy while…
City Life

Deeply affordable 412 Barton opens

The $8.3-million project led by St. Matthew’s House will offer housing to 15 people facing homelessness, with a special focus on Black and Indigenous seniors and women. Two years ago, on another blustery December day, ground was officially broken at the site of a dream to house 15…
Food + Drink

The Iron Cow brings something that’s been missing to downtown

Part elevated British pub, and part sports bar, Matty Matheson-led eatery delivers with a creative and well-executed menu in a welcoming space. Holy Cow!  There is a new restaurant in town, part of the recently renovated and reopened TD Coliseum complex.  My dining experience as a media…
Arts + Culture

THE PLAYLIST

Dylan Hudecki is a Canadian indie-rock vet having played in many different bands, including By Divine Right, Cowlick, Slow Beach and The Dill. He’s a proud Hamiltonian who covers local album releases for HAMILTON CITY Magazine. COTS – Disturbing Body & Moonlit Building Hamilton has long been fertile…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton Reads — KidLit Holiday Edition

From picture books about difficult subjects such as homelessness, and grief, to collections of letters and art by Indigenous voices, laugh-out loud read-alouds, and spine-tingling poems, there are many choices this holiday season for the young reader on your list. As a parent, you think you’re supposed…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Frozen is heartwarming and magical

You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer and you’ll be transported as Theatre Aquarius's production brilliantly brings animated Disney classic to the stage. Frozen, The Broadway Musical at Theatre Aquarius is pure magic. That is true in both the literal and the figurative senses. If you’ve ever wanted to escape…
Arts + Culture

INTO THE GROOVE

Take a step inside Hamilton’s vibrant independent record store scene, and be sure to check out these neighbourhood hotspots when buying for the music lover on your list. Hamilton is home to an active network of independent record stores, each offering a mix of…
Arts + Culture

Joni Mitchell, Nelly Furtado to be honoured at 2026 JUNO Awards

Hometown rockers Arkells will perform when Hamilton hosts Canada’s national music awards in March. The stars are beginning to align for Hamilton’s turn to host the 2026 JUNO Awards.  Hamilton legends Arkells will perform, pop superstar Nelly Furtado will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame,…
Arts + Culture

A bold new era for Hamilton’s downtown

TD Coliseum offers a world-class experience for artists and fans in a reimagined, music-first venue that no longer feels like an arena. What has changed inside and what will it mean for the city? The media tours are done. The ceremonial ribbon has been cut. And…
Arts + Culture

HAMILTON’S CELEBRATION OF SOUND

2026 will be a history-making year in the city’s music sector and will chart the course for an amplified future. Hamilton is a city of music and 2026 will be a history-making year that will give music lovers plenty of reasons to celebrate.   It all begins with the…
City Life

OPINION: York Boulevard is a grand vision gone wrong

Hamilton’s gateway entrance from the west was once to be modelled after great European streets. But instead of being the ‘Champs Elysee of North America,’ the City caved to private interests and what was built is the architectural horror story it is today. There is a nearly 50-year-old…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton music makers you should know

This city is a musical powerhouse. Here are a few local standouts sharing what they love about the place they call home. Killotine Photo: Rae Chatten Who: Metal band, represented Canada at Wacken Open Air 2025. Members: Matt Fraser (vocals and rhythm guitar), Jesse Luciani (lead guitar), James…
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)! Is there any better escape from the relentless news cycle, doom scrolling and polarizing politics, and any simpler way to…

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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.


Made in Hamilton

Hammer City Roller Derby: Rebels on wheels

Hamilton's league is a pioneer in the sport’s resurgence in North America over the last 20 years and continues to provide a community for many seeking one in the city. Those who pull on roller skates and take to the oval flat track describe roller derby as playing…
Made in Hamilton

Hamilton teen to play in his second roller derby world cup

River Evans will be lacing up roller skates while wearing a Team Canada jersey this summer. The 16-year-old Hamilton resident will represent his country in Brisbane, Australia at the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in late July.  River was a member of the last Team Canada, too, when the World…
Arts + Culture

True North Strong: TVO lines up three Hamilton-Burlington musicians for panel talk

Cadence Weapon, Sarah Harmer and Tom Wilson joined host and Hamilton native Steve Paikin for discussion of music in turbulent times and their Canadian inspirations. A trio of prestigious Hamilton and Burlington musicians weighed in about why music matters in times of upheaval during a taping by TVO…
City Life

Matty Matheson opening a restaurant in Hamilton Arena

Our city featured prominently in the Departure music and art festival in Toronto, with the Canadian celebrity chef announced as a food partner in the transformed downtown arena, and panel discussing Hamilton as key to next global music hub. Celebrity chef Matty Matheson is a big fan…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Family story is powerful and relatable

Dundas Little Theatre’s Things I Know to Be True delivers impactful and nuanced performances from its cast of six family drama sure to strike a chord with audiences. The U.K.’s Radio Times once described Things I Know to Be True as an “understated gem.” It’s a…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Sequence is a clever, challenging piece of theatre

Village Theatre Waterdown’s closing production of the season merges two parallel narratives in a fast-paced, well-acted production. The closing production of Village Theatre Waterdown’s season is Sequence, a cerebral and mysterious show that will have synapses firing as big ideas and barbs fly. Sequence is an award-winning play…
Food + Drink

Henry’s on James, a 1920s-inspired jazz supper club opens downtown

James Street North live music venue by The Other Bird will be open Thursday to Sunday, featuring twice daily performances, a simple dinner and light-night menu, a jazz brunch on Sunday, and classic cocktails with a twist. It’s fair to say Hamilton hasn’t seen anything quite like Henry’s…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Waitress is a sweet slice of musical theatre

Theatre Aquarius’s season close-out production takes place in Joe’s Pie Diner where Jenna, played by Hamilton native Julia McLellan, escapes her loveless marriage by creating and baking desserts and dreaming of a new start. It runs until May 18. Waitress serves strong performances, great music, a…