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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

An American Hymnal opens in Hamilton

Canadian musical theatre company Terra Bruce Productions brings the musical chock full of classic numbers to Theatre Aquarius this weekend. For three performances only, Canadian musical theatre company Terra Bruce Productions is bringing An American Hymnal to Theatre Aquarius this weekend. The musical is making its debut run…
City Life

PRIDE: From heaviness to hope

As we celebrate Pride in Canada, it’s important to remember that in many parts of the world, LGBTQI+ people are unsafe and in danger. At least 50 people from Uganda and Kenya are now making a home in Hamilton. More than 50 gay, lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers…
Arts + Culture

Crown Point Players makes debut

New musical theatre group of mostly queer artists aims to produce interesting productions in unexpected places. It kicks off with 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. Director Claire Hughes says 35mm: A Musical Exhibition is “funny, poignant, and thought-provoking. The creative process has been unconventional and the result is something…
Food + Drink

Take a southern stroll

Yes, James Street North gets all the attention but James Street South has much to offer as a dining district. Start at Forest Avenue for a downhill journey. My life story began at the Delta and the next chapter was on “the Mountain.” The one-way James and John…
City Life

Barking up the right tree

Hamilton and Burlington have both been recognized for two years in a row as Tree Cities of the World. If you stand on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment and look down, or hike through the Dundas Valley or wander leafy neighbours such as Durand, Ancaster and Westdale…
Food + Drink

Dude, Hamilton has great pizza

Cowabunga is named best cheese slice in the world, adding to the growing reputation of the city’s pizzaiolos. There is perhaps no quicker way to create a scuffle on social media in Hamilton (staying away from, of course, politics, religion and the cats vs dog debate) than saying…
City Life

Have we reached the end of the stroad?

Hamilton’s progress on becoming a more livable and sustainable city must include eliminating corridors in dense urban neighbourhoods that should be flourishing with people and commerce but instead prioritize traffic speed and volume. Slowly, but surely, Hamilton is making progress on becoming a more livable and sustainable city.
Arts + Culture

It’s in the Constellations

The small play at The Staircase Theatre about free will, love, friendship, multiverse theory is making its Hamilton premiere after award-winning runs around the world. There are many ways to connect with Constellations, says Amber Mills, producer of the Hamilton premiere run and one of its two performers.