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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

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

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,…
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.


City Life

For the Love of Hamilton

This regular feature will highlight people from all walks of life who have embraced Hamilton as their new home. Kayla Whitney is from Chatham, Ont. She attended OCAD University in Toronto and opened Koe Design, a commercial arts studio offering illustration, design and mural services, in 2017.
City Life

Paddling in Hamilton: Late summer and fall are great times to get out on the water

The city has some amazing canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding opportunities that are accessible for beginners and give a view of the city you might not have seen before. This fall, if you find yourself driving from Dundas to Hamilton along Cootes Drive, keep your eyes open. You…
Arts + Culture

B.A. Johnston: ‘Failed showman on the skids’

Hamilton's dive-bar hero has made a career out of not taking himself too seriously. Dive-bar hero. Comic-genius with no formal training. From a high-school slacker to a persona perfected over 20 years, B.A. Johnston epitomizes the DIY spirit and the art of not taking yourself too seriously. Case…
Arts + Culture

Crafting a creative hub

Hamilton Craft Studios offers an affordable and fun space to artists, along with woodworking, textiles and ceramics classes, in a sprawling former 1920s-era wire factory. Dayna Gedney and Joseph Bauman tripped over the former wire factory at 121 Princess St. during an online property search.
Arts + Culture

HAMILTON READS

Hamilton is the ‘beating heart’ of Pebble & Dove, the moving new novel by Amy Jones. There’s an inside joke in Amy Jones’s family that she’s jinxed when it comes to spotting wildlife.  “My parents will go out in the boat and see dolphins and whales and sea…
City Life

Grey Cup Festival: ‘Excitement runs deep’

Six days of events include a James Street North festival, kids road race, the Hamilton Santa Claus Parade, YWCA luncheon, neighbourhood block party and a day off from school. A street festival on James Street North, a kids-only road race, a mini Tim Hortons Field inside the downtown…
City Life

Embracing our own natural wonder

The Niagara Escarpment is a World Biosphere running right through the centre of our city. It’s a critical part of the civic identity and recreational and cultural life of Hamilton. We should be protecting and celebrating it much better than we have. It is probably our…
Arts + Culture

Minuscule raises mighty voices

Laurel Minnes founded a choral ensemble that just keeps growing because so many people want to get in on the folky, feminist fun. Laurel Minnes is making choral music cool.  But she’s not doing it alone. She’s got a backing band. And a 30-piece all-female choir.  “After every…