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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.


Food + Drink

Brothers Burger: A family affair

Martin Jose owns a burger empire in Manila with his two brothers and chose the food court in Hamilton’s Jackson Square for the first Canadian location. At Jackson Square the halls are decked, buzzing with holiday shoppers. When hunger hits, many head to the food court where they…
Arts + Culture

INCITE FOUNDATION: Beyond the Frame

The incite Foundation for the Arts supports the contributions and innovative work of the Art Gallery of Hamilton. The incite Foundation for the Arts has contributed more than $9 million to 50 Hamilton-area organizations in grants from $2,500 to $300,000 since it was founded in 2011. It is…
Arts + Culture

A Christmas Story, The Musical is all about nostalgia

The Theatre Aquarius family holiday show is big and ambitious but also focused on the heart and magic of the yuletide season. If there was any question that nostalgia for simpler times is high right now, A Christmas Story, The Musical at Theatre Aquarius opening next month answers…
Arts + Culture

Dundas-filmed prison comedy series Pink Is In now a movie

Wacky comedy about a dysfunctional administration in a low-budget institution celebrates its many connections to Hamilton. A dozen episodes of zany prison comedy Pink Is In have now been reworked into a feature film that is making its debut at The Westdale on Nov. 27. Pink Is In…
Made in Hamilton

JACKSON SQUARE DENTAL CENTRE: MEET DR. SAMER AKKAD

With a commitment to patient-centred care, Jackson Square Dental Centre offers a comprehensive range of dental services designed to meet the unique needs of our community. ADVERTORIAL Dr. Samer Akkad is owner of Jackson Square Dental Centre. How long have you been a dentist?I graduated from Aleppo University…
Arts + Culture

Veteran musician, composer finds his way home for show honouring Gordon Lightfoot

Bruce Ley grew up in Hamilton, kicked off his musical career on a stage at Westdale high school and played in some well-known local bands. He returns to the city for  “Early Morning Rain.” Hamilton native Bruce Ley, who has had a long and varied career in music,…
City Life

Hamilton fencer eyeing next summer Olympics after historic medal

Eleanor Harvey visited with guests, gave a fencing demonstration and answered questions from journalist Steve Paikin at an event celebrating her bronze-winning performance in Paris. Canada’s first Olympic medallist in fencing, Hamilton native Eleanor Harvey, says she’s working toward qualifying for her fourth Games in 2028. That’s pretty…
Arts + Culture

Juno and Jayne are bringing joy and laughs

Juno Rinaldi and Jayne Eastwood are two funny women teaming up for a live chat with interesting Hamiltonians. Next up is retired Ticat Simoni Lawrence on Dec. 7. So what happens when two Hamilton comedic actors get together for a gab session with someone in the city who…