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Celebrating all things Hamilton / Welcome Message
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

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

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…
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

Maybe I’m amazed? No, I was astonished

Neither Paul McCartney or the newly unveiled TD Coliseum disappointed when I was among a sold-out crowd for the grand opening of Hamilton’s downtown arena. Rock ‘n’ roll royalty came to Hamilton last evening when Sir Paul McCartney graced the stage at 8:15 p.m. for a voracious crowd…
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. The only thing left is for Sir Paul McCartney to take the stage and officially kick off the next chapter of Hamilton’s downtown concert venue 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…
City Life

CITY VIEW: Committed to community

Rudi Wallace is the president and CEO of the Hamilton Community Foundation and he shares with HAMILTON CITY Magazine his vision of his organization and the city it serves. RUDI WALLACE was born in Vancouver to parents who immigrated to Canada from Guyana and Mauritius. He grew up…
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.


Food + Drink

Cozy up to these comfort foods in Hamilton, Burlington

There is nothing like a hot bowl of soup, stew, curry or noodles when we are chilled to the bone in late fall or winter. Luckily, we have a whole host of delicious options right at our frosty fingertips. The term “comfort food” can refer to a…
Arts + Culture

Already at home in Hamilton

Brad Roberts, the baritone lead singer of folk-rock group Crash Test Dummies, chose our city when he decided to move north of the border again. One of Canada’s biggest acts of the ’90s, he and his bandmates are busy touring to mark the 30th anniversary of their…
Arts + Culture

Downchild Blues Band: The end of a legendary era

Canadian blues icons wound down their farewell tour in Hamilton, where they became the inaugural inductees into the Escarpment Blues Society Hall of Fame. After 55 years of hitting the road, the Downchild Blues Band has conducted their farewell tour after deciding it’s time to give up live…
City Life

Radio Arts condos in last push to completion

The 14-storey development at King and Caroline has risen from the ashes of a massive fire and is expected to be welcome occupants beginning next summer. A condo project at 206 King St. W. that had to contend with a massive fire in 2022 is about three-quarters complete…
Arts + Culture

A Christmas Story, The Musical is a gift for the season

Theatre Aquarius’s large and ambitious holiday show flawlessly delivers nostalgia and magic that could melt even the grinchiest of hearts. The nearly sold-out run closes Dec. 22. If you can’t find joy in A Christmas Story, The Musical, you should expect to find coal in…
Made in Hamilton

St. Matthew’s House: Helping people out of the cold

When winter comes to Hamilton, staying warm is a matter of life and death for those living on the streets. St. Matthew’s House is there to provide shelter when the temperatures fall, as part of its mandate to be a place where hope lives. As it gets colder,…
Arts + Culture

A place for weird dreams

The Staircase Theatre and Café has been both a critical indie arts venue and a home for artists across Hamilton for 28 years. It’s a place where creatives of all kinds can take risks. “There’s a weirdness here.” I’m nestled inside the brownstone interior of Hamilton’s Staircase…
Arts + Culture

Popular Hamilton blues veteran Alfie Smith releases a new album

Every Rome Needs A Nero, arguably his best work yet, confirms Smith is a triple threat: a guitar virtuoso, an eloquent blues-based songwriter, and a powerful singer. Both music and Hamilton reside deep in the DNA of Alfie Smith. The acclaimed veteran blues singer, songwriter and guitar master…