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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.


Arts + Culture

Musical incubator at Theatre Aquarius announces first cohort of productions

The National Centre for New Musicals will provide mentorship and consultation to the Canadian composers, lyricists, book writers and theatre artists behind five new musical works. The National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM) at Theatre Aquarius has announced the first cohort of five productions that have been selected…
Arts + Culture

Grief, gardening and growing up

Village Theatre Waterdown presents Bloom, a play about innocence, hope and friendship, and a production where newer performers are cultivating their craft. It’s fitting that Village Theatre Waterdown’s spring production is titled Bloom, in more ways than one. The play follows a grieving teenager who, after acting out…
Arts + Culture

Peter Mansbridge celebrates the fascinating, critical jobs Canadians do

The former anchor of CBC News’ The National and co-author of How Canada Works was a special guest of Hamilton’s gritLIT festival. The man who once had one of the most visible jobs in the country is fascinated by the invisible and unsung jobs that are the backbone…
Food + Drink

Rebranded Bardō offering ingredients for success

The former Earth to Table Bread Bars on Locke and James streets have a new name and a new look but remain committed to good food. A trivial casualty of the pandemic was that my Bread Bar James brunch review never saw the light of day. Restaurants faced…
Arts + Culture

Shining the stage lights on Tom Wilson’s story

The world premiere of Beautiful Scars, a musical adaptation of the musician and artist's 2017 memoir, is about creating understanding and has required a deep level of trust and creative collaboration, he says. The journey has been a long and winding road, but the world premiere of Beautiful…
Arts + Culture

Taking on the hits of Motown

Theatre Ancaster’s Mainstage tribute concert series will feature local blues icon Harrison Kennedy. Kicking off the 2024 Mainstage tribute concert series for Theatre Ancaster is the Music of Motown, featuring local legend Harrison Kennedy.  According to Colin Lapsley, the executive director of the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre and…
Food + Drink

The King of restaurant row

The east-west King William Street is a historically significant street in the city and is now one of Hamilton’s most important dining districts. I visit the King William Street dining district often. It has much to offer and triggers fond memories. Readers of a certain age will recall…
Food + Drink

Generations of fabulous food

These Hamilton-born food empires – all founded by immigrants who arrived in the post-war boom – are now iconic fixtures of this city’s past and present. After World War II, many European families immigrated to Hamilton and broadened the city culturally. Statistically, one of the peak years for…