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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…

you are HAMILTON

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

Considering Matthew Shepard explores shocking murder, but finds peace and hope, too

Oratorio being performed by HPO and the Elora Singers on Nov. 26 brings together elements of musical theatre but also includes elements of jazz and blues, gospel, country and opera. A terrible thing happened in Wyoming in October 1998. A university student left a bar with a…
Arts + Culture

146-year-old feminist tale a treat for theatre-goers

A production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House in historic performance space is a collaboration between Rook’s Theatre and Same Boat Theatre. Premiering in 1879, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a three-act Norwegian play about anxious and unsatisfied housewife Nora and her relationship to her paternalistic husband…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton represents at birthday bash for Neil Young

The legendary singer-songwriter has turned 80 and a tribute show at Massey Hall last week brought out plenty of musicians with deep local connections. All photos by Bob Hatcher A roster of Canadian musicians turned out for NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young and his Music on the…
Happening Now

6 chances to get your pet’s photo with Santa in Hamilton

Father Christmas likes to take a break from children’s wish lists to hang out with pooches, cats and other pets to raise money for fantastic local animal rescues. Who doesn’t want a festive photo of their dog with Santa? Or simply a holiday-themed pet pic you can…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Four lives through a friendship lens

20th Century Blues at Village Theatre Waterdown explores a quartet of women’s experiences in navigating later middle age. Onstage at Village Theatre Waterdown until Nov. 23 is American playwright and screenwriter Susan Miller’s 2016 play, 20th Century Blues. Its strength and its draw is in its focus on…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton’s Kaleigh Gorka making emotional return to Theatre Aquarius as Elsa in Frozen

‘One of the most anticipated productions’ in the theatre’s history, the holiday show has added five performances through Christmas thanks to strong demand for tickets. Hamilton is giving a big warm hug to an upcoming run of Frozen, The Broadway Musical and that’s fitting, because this city and…
Arts + Culture

Margaret Atwood’s ‘voice transcends literature’

The Handmaid Tale author's sold-out show in Hamilton will raise money for Interval House’s emergency and support services for women, children experiencing violence. Iconic author Margaret Atwood’s upcoming sold-out show in Hamilton will raise money to support women and children facing violence. Inviting her to speak on the…
City Life

LIFE IN THE CITY

PHOTOS BY BRENT PERNIAC AND DONNA WAXMAN CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL-SIZE SLIDESHOW Good Shepherd held its 25th annual Harvest Dinner fundraiser, Carrmen's Banquet Centre, Oct. 16Brian Melo performed at Good Shepherd's 25th annual Harvest Dinner fundraiser, Carrmen's Banquet Centre, Oct.