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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.


Arts + Culture

PREVIEW: It’s Showtime for Beetlejuice Jr.

20 Performing Arts Academy presents show in three performances at The Polish Hall in Brantford on May 2 and 3. As local theatre lovers will be aware, Beetlejuice The Musical is part of Mirvish’s 2024-2025 season, running June 3 to July 19 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre…
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 April. Launched Coffee Bunny (1216 Upper Wentworth, Hamilton)Hamilton Mountain has been graced by another indie coffee shop, focused on a large menu of coffee and signature coffee drinks. Alongside craft beverages, you’ll also…
Arts + Culture

PREVIEW: Comedy with a heart coming to The Staircase

Jack Goes to Therapy: A (Somewhat) Romantic Comedy is a one-man play by Caledonia native and McMaster University graduate Zac Williams. The Staircase Theatre in Hamilton marks a stop of Zac Williams' 2025 Canadian tour with his comedic one-man show Jack Goes to Therapy: A (Somewhat) Romantic Comedy.
Food + Drink

Sweet success at WÜD Chocolates and Gifts

Nesreen Abusultan is a Palestinian woman who has made a journey from refugee to chocolatier and Burlington entrepreneur. In Middle Eastern culture, chocolate is more than an indulgence to satiate a sweet tooth or satisfy a craving. Rather, it’s a special treat to share with loved ones to…
Food + Drink

Cheap eats

These Hamilton restaurants and takeout joints – most of them longtime institutions – prove that in the lower city and the Mountain, paying less can be super satisfying. Keeping our bellies full feels like a rich man’s game these days. Grocery prices are through the roof, and take-out…
Arts + Culture

All-male show brings new era of The Golden Girls

More than 30 years after the last show aired. sassy quartet is back as wise-cracking best friends once again. Golden Girls: The Laughs Continues comes to Hamilton April 29. Vince Kelley was born to be a Golden Girl. Well, he was born the same year – 1985 –…
Arts + Culture

Dance festival aims to lift up the art form in Hamilton

This weekend’s Here&Now by Hamilton contemporary dance company Aeris Körper will feature established choreographed works, alongside works in development. One of Hamilton’s only festivals dedicated to dance is taking the stage at L.R. Wilson Hall at McMaster University this weekend.  Aeris Körper, the Hamilton contemporary dance company, is…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton native dishes up dream role in musical Waitress

Julia McLellan is the lead in a show about female friendship, resilience, and dreams that plays at Theatre Aquarius from April 30 to May 17. Hamilton native Julia McLellan is realizing her dream of taking on the role of Jenna in Waitress in what is a homecoming…