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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.


City Life

PRIDE: Wearing a rainbow on your front door

Two Hamilton business owners who have achieved Rainbow Registered accreditation, an inclusivity initiative of a national chamber of commerce, say it's been good for business and others should be doing the same. Two Hamilton business owners who have achieved accreditation with Rainbow Registered, a program of the Canada’s…
Made in Hamilton

Rentals are rising on James North

The former Mission Services men’s shelter has been demolished and a residential tower will be built on the site. The shelter has found a new, bigger home on King Street East. The landscape at one of downtown Hamilton’s major intersections – James Street North and Barton Street –…
Arts + Culture

PRIDE Q+A: The colourful world of Hexe Noire

Drag queen extraordinaire Hexe Noire has been showcasing her work in Hamilton for more than six years. Noire is acting “Mother” to Hamilton’s alternative drag house, the “Haus of Noire,” founded in 2018. She has been chosen as The Hamilton Spectator’s Diamonds Readers’ Choice Award’s as best…
Arts + Culture

Burn: A puzzling ghost story

The Players' Guild of Hamilton takes on psychological thriller written by Ottawa-area playwright for season-ending production. Closing out the 2023-2024 season at The Players’ Guild of Hamilton is the psychological thriller Burn, which has been called “highly suspenseful” by Onstage Ottawa. Weaving together a ghost story with a…
Made in Hamilton

Coming to life at McMaster University

A dynamic network of startups coming out of academic research – along with an eye-popping takeover of a homegrown success story – is fuelling Hamilton’s rise as a national biotech capital. A $2.4-billion takeover of local startup Fusion Pharmaceuticals is showing how McMaster University and Hamilton are challenging…
Arts + Culture

DVSA: Finding new life at 60

Dundas Valley School of Art has innovative new leadership, renewed vision, peak student enrollment and ambitious new programs as the cherished art school – with a fascinating history –  celebrates a milestone anniversary. Even with all the best intentions and meticulous plans, arts organizations can rise and fall…
Arts + Culture

Hamilton’s Mackenzie Leigh Meyer up for two CMA Ontario awards

Country artist joins Zach Zohr, Karli June, Josh Ross and The Redhill Valleys with nominations at this weekend’s awards. Update: Mackenzie Leigh Meyer took home the CMAOntario award for Roots Artist of the Year. As the 2024 Country Music Association of Ontario festival and awards gets underway this…
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 May. Launched & opening soon Boom Scorch (187 King St. E., Hamilton). Jamaican Halal cuisine in the heart of Hamilton’s International Village, just opened on May 2. Fried…