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Celebrating all things Hamilton / Welcome Message
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…
Arts + Culture

Find your holiday spirit at ‘Tis the Season

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra will perform holiday carols, holiday hits and the beloved 'Nutcracker Suite,' along with Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Hamilton Children’s Choir, and the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts. You can even do some holiday shopping! How to get into the holiday spirit: Step…
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…
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

PREVIEW: A Nook & Cranny Christmas mystery

The Spirit of Christmas, on this weekend at The Staircase, sees Hamilton comedy collaborators Justin Shaw and Devin Bateson reprise their roles as wild and lovable twin detectives. Comedy collaborators Justin Shaw and Devin Bateson are back as wild and lovable twin detectives Nook & Cranny. This time,…
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…

you are HAMILTON

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

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…
Arts + Culture

10 milestone shows at 101 York Boulevard

Hamilton’s downtown arena opened as Copps Coliseum in 1985 and was renamed FirstOntario Centre in 2014. In the 38 years before it closed in the summer of 2023 for a massive renovation, it has hosted some epic concerts.  What makes a show memorable? Size of crowd? Sales figures?…
Made in Hamilton

GIFT GUIDE: The Host’s Survival Kit

Want to make a great impression as a guest at a holiday gathering? Choose one — or all! — of these gifts that will make hosting a dream. When it comes to entertaining, our hosts put in a lot of effort. The twinkle of lights, the hum…
Made in Hamilton

GIFT GUIDE: Big gifts for littles

Kids and parents are going to love these creative — and entirely local — products and experiences! When checking little ones off your shopping list this holiday season, you don’t have to look beyond Hamilton for unique gifts that both children and parents will love. Shop the…
Made in Hamilton

GIFT GUIDE: Those pampered pets

Whether for the pets you love or their human family, these gift ideas are sure to be met with slobbery kisses. Pet people. We all know the type — you show up at their house for a holiday party and their dog will greet you at the…
Made in Hamilton

GIFT GUIDE: Pampering the Hamilton homebody

Here are a few cozy, city-living ideas to help your favourite stay-at-home fans relax and indulge themselves. There’s a special breed of person who’s perfected the art of staying home — and we’re not talking about lazy Sundays in old sweats (though those have their place). These…
Made in Hamilton

GIFT GUIDE: Can’t someone else do it?

Tis the season… to feel totally overwhelmed by your gift list! The holidays can be stressful when you’ve got a gift list as long as your arm that includes your clients, employees, teachers, the babysitter, your hairstylist, massage therapist, and mail carrier. Wouldn’t it be great to…
Arts + Culture

REVIEW: Classic play seems more relevant and powerful today

Dundas Little Theatre’s strong production of Death of a Salesman shows its themes of unfettered capitalism, the damaging effects of the pursuit of the American Dream, and the danger of the unchecked male ego resonate even more today than when the play debuted 76 years ago. Death of…