THINGS TO DO IN HAMILTON, BURLINGTON

If you have an event happening in Hamilton and Burlington you would like to see listed here, email HCM editor Meredith MacLeod at meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Theatre Aquarius: The Time Capsule
A new comedy from the writer and director of MAGGIE THE MUSICAL, The Time Capsule is hilarious, heartfelt, and a little bit off the rails — just like life. Set in a Hamilton church basement, this whip-smart comedy brings together an unforgettable crew: a menopausal teacher desperate to stay relevant, a rough-around-the-edges church cleaner who tells it like it is, a Gen Z bartender with a chip on her shoulder, a heartbroken Winners sales clerk who knows too much about throw pillows, and a hockey-obsessed husband quietly wondering where his life went. What starts as a simple time capsule project turns into a riotous ride of confessions, clashes, and unexpected connections. Think Schitt’s Creek meets The Breakfast Club, it’s a feel-good, female-forward story about friendship, second chances, and finding meaning in the most unexpected places. Written by Matt Murray and directed by Mary Francis Moore. Tickets are here. Oct. 1 to 18, Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

READ OUR TIME CAPSULE PREVIEW STORY HERE

Red Dirt Skinners
Multi-award-winning duo Red Dirt Skinners, known for a genre-defying blend of folk, roots, and rock, are performing come to Hamilton as part of a 50-date Canadian tour. Fans can expect an evening of new songs from their upcoming ninth album, alongside fan favourites, soaring male–female harmonies, and Sarah Skinner’s signature saxophone solos. Tickets are here. Oct. 2, The Auditorium, Ascension Church, 64 Forest Ave., Hamilton

Art Circuit
Jump on the bus forArt Circuit 2025, in its third year of providing opportunities for collectors and art enthusiasts alike to meet and engage with artists and gallerists to celebrate the art scene in Hamilton. Co-founded by Mary Flynn and Paul Elia, the event features a tour of four gallery locations: Sanford Hall at Westinghouse HQ, 286 Sanford Ave. N., You Me Gallery, 330 James St. N., Wink Glass Studio, 185 King William St. and Back Alley Gallery, 341 Herkimer St. A bus ticket provides access to the VIP opening party at Sanford Hall from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Four buses start the circuit from Westinghouse at 7 p.m. and circuit-goers can hop on and off at the four locations until 10 p.m. Tickets are available here and include one free drink to be redeemed at any location, a 10 per cent discount off all workshops at The Back Alley Gallery and Wink Glass within 12 months, and entry to win one of four artist gift packages valued at over $300 (includes art from over 10 artists). The four bus hosts are: author, philanthropist, and CEO of Ernest for Good Inc. Sarah Ernest, who provides a glowing rave dance party, impromptu sing-alongs, and goodie bags; photographer Marta Hewson and visual artist Jerrold Hewson with guest host and drag artist Kenadie St. James on the Revival Art Bus; realtors Tammy Phinney and Jana Matteau; and event planner and singer Monique Thompson. Tickets are here. Oct. 3, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Faculty Art Show at Dundas Valley School of Art
The 2025 Faculty Art Show runs Oct. 3 to 21 in the DVSA Galleries, featuring work by talented instructors across the main gallery, upstairs gallery, and front lobby. An opening reception is happening Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dundas Valley School of Art, 21 Ogilvie St., Dundas

Tribute concerts at Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre is presenting a series of tribute concerts for the 2025 series. Next comes the music of Van Morrison with It’s Too Late to Stop Now starring Matt Weidinger on Oct. 3. It will be a marvelous night for a Van Morrison tribute! Weidinger and a live seven-piece band will be back for their second year to perform all the classics – “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Moondance,” “Domino,” “Gloria,” and many more – capturing the joyous energy of Van Morrison’s original performances. The final show is the music of Santana, with Abraxas: The Ultimate Santana Tribute on Oct. 11. An eight-piece band led by acclaimed guitarist Jay Vazquez will perform classics like “Oye Como Va,” “Black Magic Woman,” and “Smooth” with electrifying authenticity. Expect soaring guitar solos, vibrant Latin rhythms, and a high-energy atmosphere that will have you dancing in your seat (or in the aisles!). Get tickets here. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster

Free Dentistry Day
Century Stone Dental is hosting its annual Free Dentistry Day — offering free cleanings, fillings, and extractions on a first-come, first-served basis to patients without insurance or in need of urgent dental care. Volunteer staff from Hamilton Mountain Dental Group, Gateshead Dental, and Orchard Park Dental will join the Century Stone team to expand access for local families. Services will be provided on a walk-in basis, and the team will also be offering oral health education and resources to help patients maintain long-term dental wellness. Oct. 4, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Century Stone Dentistry, 684 Main St. E., Hamilton

Telling Tales
Telling Tales is celebrating 17 years as Canada’s biggest children’s book festival. The event will feature 70+ literary leaders and storytelling masters. The event will include 50 presentations by Canadian authors and illustrators, including internationally recognized children’s television show animator, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and children’s book author Matthew Forsythe, award-winning Inuk throat singer and Giller Prize-nominated author Tanya Tagaq, and more than 18 presentations of Canadian storytelling told through music, drama, dance, and more. The festival connects over 12,000 children, youth, and their families with authors, illustrators, and storytellers through engaging activities, inclusive experiences, and dynamic storytelling. Designed for all children, programming includes sensory-based activities and the festival layout is designed with experts to support families with neurodivergent children and children with disabilities. There is so much happening for toddlers, children and teens. Check it all out here. The event is free. Oct. 4 and 5, Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd. W. Burlington

SEE OUR TELLING TALES PREVIEW STORY HERE

Sisters in Song
Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre has announced its Sisters in Song series, spotlighting a collection of Canada’s magnetic female voices in jazz, blues, rock, and soul. Every artist in this series brings her own unique energy and influence to her music, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Discover new favourites while knowing that each night will deliver an unforgettable performance. Hamilton’s own two-time JUNO Award winner Diana Panton kicks off the series Oct. 4. The series continues with roots and blues singer Suzie Vinnick, Nov. 18, Chris Ayries, Dec. 16, Hailee Rose, Jan. 20, Heather Bambrick, Feb. 24, Sandra Bouza, March 31, Angelique Francis, April 28, and closes with Selena Evangeline, May 19. All tickets are here. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster

Shannon Kyles at HAALSA
From Indigenous pointing trees through European revivals to sleek modern, our structures reflect what is happening in our culture. Shannon Kyles will explore Ontario’s ever-changing public taste in architecture and what has inspired it. She recently released her first book, The Story of Ontario Architecture: What We Built and Why We Built It. CBC Radio’s architectural columnist for many years, Kyles has taught Ontario architecture at Mohawk College for 30 years, maintains a website, ontarioarchitecture.com, and has restored both a Regency cottage and a Georgian carriage house. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Ravinder Ruprai’s Gleaner
“Who are we in the absence of trauma?” This is the haunting and essential question at the heart of Ravinder Ruprai’s powerful new exhibition, Gleaner: You cannot reap what you did not know how to sow. It’s a deeply personal and sculptural exploration of trauma, recovery, and healing, and the fragile web connecting mind, body, and spirit. Ruprai’s practice continues to examine how psychological trauma imprints itself onto the body and is passed, sometimes invisibly, across generations. Her work draws from epigenetics and lived experience, creating an evocative visual language that bridges anatomy, landscape, and cartography, mapping both internal terrains and invisible wounds. But this is not a show about despair. The work seeks understanding. It gleans. Join in for the Artist Talk moderated by Tor Lukasik-Foss. Oct. 4, 2 p.m., Cotton Factory, CoWork, Studio 301,  270 Sherman Avenue North.  

Stage Directions
Stage Directions, a collaboration between the Hamilton Fringe Festival (HFTco), Theatre Aquarius and The Players’ Guild of Hamilton, asks the question: “How can we all build a stronger, more sustainable Hamilton theatre community together?” It is two days of strategy, connection, and skills-building for Hamilton theatre and performance makers happening Oct. 4 and 5 for Hamilton actors, dancers, directors, designers, writers, producers, performing artists, technicians, educators, arts administrators, community leaders, and stakeholders. Day 1 is a symposium at the Players’ Guild, 80 Queen St. S., that will see theatre participants from across the city talk about the future of theatre and performance-making in Hamilton. Day 2, at Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., includes two workshops, From Seed to Story with Chantal Lim and Stage Combat: Introduction to Swordplay with Brianna Love. The night ends with Monologue Slam, where Hamilton’s finest emerging and established actors share their talent AND their process. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse as actors adjust to feedback from industry professionals in real time, revealing what collaboration with a director really looks like – all before a live audience. The event includes performances for a panel of Mary Francis Moore, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, and Marcel Stewart. Performers will get specific feedback and selected monologues will be chosen for a second presentation round. The audience will choose the winner. The deadline to apply to perform in Monologue Slam is Sept. 28 at midnight. Information and registration links are here. Stage Directions runs Oct. 4 and 5.

Diaspora Vibes 2
The second of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association’s three-part series of community place-making projects supported by the City of Hamilton is a tribute to Jackie Washington. This special community celebration will honour the incredible legacy of Jackie Washington, a trailblazing Hamilton-born musician whose songs and stories continue to inspire across generations. A musical tribute will come from award-winning musician Harrison Kennedy, a Hamilton legend and global blues/soul icon. There will also be displays honouring the legacy of Washington, a vibrant Afro-centric pop-up marketplace, a live DJ bringing rhythm and energy to the space, and a celebration of cultural heritage. Oct. 4, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Ferguson Station, Hamilton

Live-band karaoke
The Approximators pay a monthly gig at Ooey Gooey's in Hess Village. If you’ve always dreamed of fronting a band, here’s your chance. Hamilton’s live-band karaoke masters The Approximators have more than 200 songs to choose from, and will occasionally learn a request on the spot. Green Day, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, blink-182, Ozzy Osbourne, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Chappell Roan, AC/DC, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Van Halen, ABBA, Robyn, Sabrina Carpenter – they promise there is a song on their list that you can sing. And the party’s emcee is always ready to make any song a duet. Don't feel brave enough to get onstage? No problem: sing along in the crowd and dance like nobody's watching. Their parties are a 100 per cent judgement-free zone. Check out photos, videos, and their song list here. Check out the band here. The next show is a back-to-school karaoke party when school supplies will be given out as prizes. The last few shows have sold out so don't be disappointed. Get your tickets now. Next shows: Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 12. 8 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., Ooey Gooey’s, 107 George St., Hamilton

Fireworks 2025 at Carnegie Gallery
Fireworks 2025will showcase ceramic and glass works by FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas. Fireworks 2025 is a travelling, biennial juried exhibition celebrating innovation and excellence in contemporary ceramic and glass art. The jurormof Fireworks 2025 is renowned Canadian ceramic artist, Susan Collett. Since 1984, Fireworks has showcased innovative works by Canadian artists who are both emerging and established artists in their practice. For more than 40 years, Fireworks has been celebrated as one of the most prestigious exhibitions in the field. For Fireworks 2025, artists were invited to explore the theme of water, celebrating its fluidity, transformative power, and impact through their work. Exhibition, Oct. 3 to Nov. 9, with a closing reception on Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Carnegie Gallery, 10 King St., W., Dundas

Root for the home team
The four-time Canadian Premier League champion and first-place Forge FC take on the Vancouver FC on Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. and York United on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who hold first place in the East Division take on the Calgary Stampeders on Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. and the Ottawa Redblacks on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Hamilton Stadium, 64 Melrose Ave. N., Hamilton

Dundas Studio Tour
Since 1997, the Dundas Studio Tour has been showcasing the finest craft southwestern Ontario has to offer. It’s always held on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Stroll through the Valley Town, meet the artists, order that special custom piece, find the perfect gift, treat yourself or a friend and support and visit our local shops, galleries, and restaurants! There are five locations: Green Ash Décor (64 Hatt St., Unit G01); Journey Home (3-104 King St. W.), Dundas Museum (139 Park St. W.), St. James Church (137 Melville St.); and Elisabeth Soppelsa (230 Melville St.). Pick up a Dundas Studio Tour Passport at any studio location and then make your way around to each studio getting your passport stamped along the way. Then submit completed Passport for your chance to win one of our prizes of Dundas Studio Tour Artist's work valued up to $100. More information is here. Oct. 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Treat Accessibly Halloween Village
The Hamilton Treat Accessibly Halloween Village to make Hamilton accessible for thousands, returns Oct. 5. Treat Accessibly started in Toronto in 2017 when 6-year-old Siena Padulo questioned how a child using a wheelchair could trick-or-treat at their home, because of their front stairs. What began as one family making their home accessible has grown into a nationwide movement, with more than 250,000 homes across Canada and nine fully accessible Halloween Villages in cities coast to coast. The Hamilton Village is part of a series of Halloween Villages happening across Canada throughout October. It will feature: house-to-house trick-or-treating on a real street, with no barriers, accessible treat stations for children with and without disabilities, live DJ entertainment with family-friendly music throughout the afternoon; magicians and costumed performers bringing Halloween magic to the streets; and daytime festivities designed so families can enjoy Halloween before evening hours. More information is here. Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., location entrance 15 Cartier Cres, Hamilton

Frost Bites
Applications are now open for the Hamilton Fringe Festival’s Frost Bites 2026 Place-Based Performance series. The Frost Bites festival, Hamilton’s only winter theatre festival, brings site-specific theatre back to the Hammer this winter, and the Fringe is looking for playful, collaborative, creative risk-takers to present works of 20 minutes or less in all kinds of weird spaces throughout the historic Staircase Theatre building during the series running March 6 to 8. This year's theme is "Land, Place, Home." The application is here. Frost Bites runs Feb. 27 to March 8, Staircase Theatre, 25 Dundurn St N., Hamilton

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Arts & Smarts: Trivia for Art and Theatre Nerds
Celebrate with Open Heart Arts Theatre at a lively, fun-filled evening that’s part fundraiser, part birthday party, and all about trivia for your inner theatre kid or art geek. Hosted by local trivia wizard and fellow art-maker Steve Hartwell. RSVP here. Oct. 7, doors open at 7 p.m., and trivia kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Staircase Café, 27 Dundurn St. N.

Songs In The Round
Join Jim & Roslyn Witter join Frank Fiction for an intimate and unique concert at Crown & Press — songs, stories, and songcraft up close. Frank Fiction is the new project from Hamilton songwriter Elias Dummer, a JUNO Award winner and two-time nominee with over 100 million streams and multiple Billboard Top 40 singles and albums. As the co-founder of Crown & Press and host of its Songs In The Round series, he’s creating a home for songwriters Jim Witter is a five-time JUNO nominee with 10 Top 10 country singles and sold-out shows worldwide with The Piano Men tour. Roslyn Witter is a CCMA Artist of the Month who sang with Keith Urban before 20,000 fans at Tim Hortons Field. Inspired by Frank’s decade in Nashville and the famed Bluebird Café, Songs In The Round is an intimate evening where three acclaimed artists trade songs and stories — music stripped to its essence, shared up close and personal. Tickets are here. Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., Crown & Press, 303 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton

Rockton World’s Fair
The Rockton World’s Fair has been an annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition since 1852. Every year, the fair features horse and livestock shows, demonstrations and competitions, including the impressive heavy horse show and the eight-horse hitch, the popular Ag Live tent, demolition derbies, agricultural exhibitors, school and homecraft exhibits, midway rides and games, antique equipment, the Hamilton Fire & Safety House, a craft sale, live entertainment, and, of course, lots of yummy fair food. There are also a pie-eating contest, karaoke contest, spelling bee, pet show, baby show, scavenger hunt, peddle tractor rides and even Great Lake helicopter rides. Check out the website, which features a countdown to this year’s fair. Oct. 9-13, Rockton Fairgrounds, 812 Old Highway 8, Rockton

Mona Awad at Playhouse Cinema
Bestselling author Mona Awad will join Amy Jones to discuss her new novel We Love You, Bunny. It’s a highly anticipated followup to the viral sensation Bunny, a brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud funny, dark, and delirious novel set in the Bunny-verse. Frankenstein by way of Heathers, We Love You, Bunny is both a prequel and a sequel, and an unabashedly wild and totally complete stand-alone novel. Open your hearts to another dazzlingly original and darkly hilarious romp in the Bunny-verse from the queen of the fever-dream. Awad is the bestselling author of the novels Rouge, All’s Well, Bunny, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. She is a three-time finalist for a Goodreads Choice Award, the recipient of an Amazon Best First Novel Award, and she was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Bunny was a finalist for a New England Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2019 by Time, Vogue, and the New York Public Library. It is currently being developed for film with Bad Robot Productions. Rouge is being adapted for film by Fremantle and Sinestra. Jones is the author of the story collection What Boys Like and the novels We're All in This Together, Every Little Piece of Me, and Pebble & Dove. Her work has won the Northern Lit Award, the Metcalf-Rooke Award, and the CBC Literary Prize for Short Fiction, has been shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, the ReLit Award, and the Bronwen Wallace Award, and has been anthologized in Best Canadian Stories and Journey Prize Stories. Originally from Halifax, Jones now lives in Hamilton. Books will be available to purchase on-site with a book signing to follow the talk. Presented in partnership with Epic Books, Playhouse Cinema and Simon & Schuster Canada. Tickets are here. Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

Art Crawl
Art Crawl on James Street North have become a tradition on the second Friday of the month. For those already looking ahead to Friday art crawls this summer, there's been an expansion to this year's road closure schedule. James Street North will be closed for art crawl on Oct. 10.

Avery Raquel at the Prop House
Canadian Billboard-charting artist Avery Raquel is set to release her deeply personal new single “The Letter” a soul-infused ballad capturing the tender moment when friendship begins to blur into love. Avery will also be in Hamilton performing on Oct. 11. Her self-titled 2022 album debuted at No. 5 on the Canadian iTunes Top 200 R&B/soul album chart, with five tracks recognized in the 2022 John Lennon Songwriting Competition, including one Grand Prize winner. Oct. 11, 9 p.m. Prop House, 422 Barton St. E., Hamilton

Hamilton Fire Department open house and food drive
The Hamilton Fire Department invites all residents to a Thanksgiving Day open house. Visit any participating fire station to connect with local firefighters, experience the stations through guided tours and discover important fire safety tips to keep your family safe. A food drive will also take place to support the community; residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to help local food banks. Locations: Station 1:35-43 John St. N.; Station 2: 1400 Upper Wellington St.; Station 3: 965 Garth St.; Station 4: 729 Upper Sherman Ave.; Station 5: 1227 Stone Church Rd. E.; Station 6: 246 Wentworth St. N.; Station 7: 225 Quigley Rd.; Station 8: 400 Melvin Ave.; Station 9: 125 Kenilworth Ave. N.; Station 10: 1455 Main St. W.; Station 11: 24 Ray St. S.; Station 12: 199 Highway 8, Stoney Creek; Station 14: 595 Chapel Hill Rd., Elfrida; Station 15: 415 Arvin Ave., Stoney Creek; Station 16: 939 Barton St., Stoney Creek; Station 17: 363 Isaac Brock Dr., Stoney Creek; Station 18: 2636 Highway 56, Binbrook; Station 19: 3303 Homestead Dr., Mount Hope; Station 20: 661 Garner Rd. E., Ancaster; Station 21: 365 Wilson St., Ancaster; Station 23: Memorial Square, Dundas; Station 24: 256 Parkside Dr., Waterdown; Station 25: 361 Old Brock Rd., Greensville; Station 26: 119 Lynden Rd., Lynden; Station 27: 795 Old Highway 8, Rockton; Station 28: 1801 Brock Rd., Freelton. Oct. 13, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

HAPPENING LATER IN OCTOBER

Photography lessons
In today’s world of ubiquitous smartphones, there is something cool about using an actual digital camera to take a pic. What’s even more cool is knowing how to use it to its full potential. Enter the Dundas Valley School of Art’s introduction to digital photography class that teaches the difference between apertures and f-stops. Students will learn how to create better images using all those gizmos and doodads on their cameras that apparently aren’t just for show. Also covered – how to properly back up images, ensuring those works of art stick around forever. There is a whole lineup of photography lessons to be had. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 14 to Dec. 2.

Adam Shoalts: Exploring a century-old mystery
Adam Shoalts, Canada’s modern-day explorer, will discuss his journey into the arctic wilderness to solve a mystery more than 100 years old. Part detective story, part biography, and part first-person adventure narrative, Vanished Beyond the Map combines expeditions with historical research to solve one of exploration history’s enduring cold cases — the mystery of Hubert Darrell. In November 1910, explorer Hubert Darrell vanished in the uncharted wilds of the Northwest Territories. A prospector who had been swept up in the Klondike Gold Rush, Darrell later made his name as an expert guide, trapper, and restless wanderer who ventured where few others dared. At a time when travel by dogsled in the North was the norm, Darrell became legendary for traversing thousands of kilometres alone and on foot; ranging over mountains and across windswept tundra from Alaska to Hudson Bay. Contemporaries regarded Darrell as the hardiest, most competent explorer of his day. Despite clues reported by Inuit trappers and Mounted Police inquiries, his fate remains a mystery. While his disappearance sparked headlines around the world, Darrell’s name would soon also vanish from the history books, ironically, just as surely as he had in the wild. Using the trail of letters, journals, and hand-drawn maps Darrell left behind, Shoalts retraces Darrell’s forgotten routes through the wilderness, searching for cabin ruins and old campsites. Shoalts is a historian, archaeologist, geographer, and Westaway Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Shoalts holds a PhD from McMaster University where his research examined the influence Indigenous oral traditions had on fur traders in the subarctic and Pacific Northwest. He is also the author of the national bestsellers Alone Against the North, A History of Canada in Ten Maps, Beyond the Trees, The Whisper on the Night Wind, and Where the Falcon Flies. He enjoys long walks in the woods. Books will be available to purchase on-site with a book signing to follow the talk. Tickets are here. Oct. 14, 7 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

Festitalia
Hamilton’s festival of all things Italian – Festitalia – is hosting a full suite of events this fall.Tickets are on sale for the 50^th anniversary Artist’s Night, a special evening celebrating local Italian artists and those inspired by the beauty of Italian art. Experience a vibrant showcase of creativity, culture, and heritage through stunning works that honour Italy’s artistic legacy. Eight confirmed artists are: Dino Nicosia, Bruno Capolungo, Pat DiCaria, Joe Bucci, Nicole Garcia, Adam Albini, Ryan Silvestri and Franca Marazia. Tickets are here. Oct. 15, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Liuna Station Grand Ballroom, 360 James St. N., Hamilton. Join the Sons & Daughters of Italy in presenting Moda Italia, a charity fashion show, celebrating 50 years of Festitalia in support of Keaton’s House-Paul Paletta Children’s Hospice and the Cancer Assistance Program. Tickets are here. Oct. 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Carmen’s Event Centre, 1520 Stonechurch Rd. E., Hamilton. Find all the Festitalia events here.

The Birds and the Bees at Theatre Burlington
While the Bonanno stage has been dark for the summer, the folks at Theatre Burlington have been hard at work improving the audience experience. As part of a major “glow-up” for the 2025-26 season, the theatre has been repainted, (bye-bye boring beige), the floors waxed and polished, and they have installed new, more comfortable chairs. It will all be unveiled when Theatre Burlington launches its 2025-2026 season, an all-Canadian playbill,
with The Birds and the Bees by Mark Crawford. It tells the story of newly divorced Sarah who moves in with her mother Gail. But Gail has other things on her mind; why do her honeybees keep dying? What’s the deal with her flirtatious neighbour Earl? And what’s the secret the idealistic masters student Ben is hiding? This comedy examines all types of relationships and will leave your heart feeling full. Directed by Francesca Brugnano and produced by Michelle Spanik. The cast includes Julie Donoahue as Gail, Raymond Beauchemin as Earl, Heather Nutt as Sarah and Jeff Nguyen as Ben. Collectively, this group of actors has almost 40 years of experience, but it’s the first time on stage with Theatre Burlington for each of them. Theatre Burlington is also launching a new website, that is easier to navigate, with more pictures and graphics, lots of information about the upcoming season, how to order tickets, and ways to become a member of the Theatre Burlington community. Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, Theatre Burlington Drama Centre is located on Teen Tour Way, behind the Central Park bandshell and beside Central Library

Hamilton Film Festival
Celebrating 20 years of independent cinema, the Hamilton Film Festival continues to be a vibrant, inclusive showcase of storytelling through filmmaking. The multi-venue festival routinely attracts over 3,000 film buffs who are treated to indie gems, docs, shorts and international features – long before they hit streaming platforms. The locally-focused fest also treats audiences to projects by emerging artists and students – granting them a front row seat to the future of Canadian filmmaking as the plot unfolds in real time. The 20th anniversary of the Hamilton Film Festival kicks off with a dressy casual gala and a dozen local short films. The lineup is: 51st State, Neon, A Man Named Lonnie, Blue Room, My Dear Departed Johnny, Trapped, Mermaid Dreams, There Goes the Bride, To: Her Next Lover, Spaceman, Baby, and Out Of Truth. A Q&A with available cast and crew will follow immediately after the screening. Tickets are here. Oct. 17, gala at 6 p.m., local shorts at 8 p.m., Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. The festival runs Oct. 17 to 26, various locations. The Hamilton Film Festival and its School of Media Arts is also launching a number of classes, including cinematography 101, camera basics and lighting basics. More information and registration is here.

HPO Talk: John Williams
Talk & Tea: John Williams and the Art of the Film Score will be an enlightening look into the journey of the film industry’s most recognized living composer. Gain insight into the pivotal moments shaping Williams’ career, exploring his transition from jazz pianist and studio musician to prolific film and television composer. Hear how his iconic themes have helped shape storytelling on the big screen for over five decades before catching a sneak peak of the orchestra’s rehearsal for the upcoming concert Jurassic Park: Film with Live Orchestra. HPO composer-in-residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte hosts the Talk & Tea Series, bringing audiences behind the music and composers featured on our Mainstage with special insights into the orchestra’s rehearsal process. Come for coffee, tea and treats, and stay for the fascinating stories that enrich the music experience! Tickets are here. Oct. 17, 11 a.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place),1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

Learn to cook
Local food blogger Joyce Leung brings her love of food to hungry and curious audiences who would rather roll up their sleeves and get cooking than order dinner through an app. Though her Asian cooking classes are held throughout the year at locations throughout the city, Leung’s upcoming workshops at Grain and Grit will feature an all-ages soup dumpling class – all made from scratch (Oct. 18) and a sushi making course (Nov. 15) where participants prepare three different rolls to enjoy, plus a tasty beverage to help wash them down. Register here. 11 Ewen Rd.

The 6-Minute Memoirs
“Women Talking” is the theme of the next 6-Minute Memoir event at The Staircase Theatre.
Eight women will share true stories from their lives in six minutes or less.
Speakers include: actor writer, comedian and storyteller Kristi Boulton; Body Brave CEO Sonia Kumar; Vivian Chong, a visual artist, dancer, singer-songwriter, graphic novelist, drummer, ukulele player, motivational speaker and the creator of the recent one-woman show “Blind Date”; writer and academic Laura MacGregor, winner of the 2025 CBC Nonfiction Award; Lorie Rotenberg, a social justice activist who recently retired after 32 years in private practice as a psychotherapist; musical theatre performer Richelle Tavernier; leadership coach Ellen Malcolmson; and Pat Dickinson, a retired educator and author of the self-published memoir, I Think I Can: An 85-year-old looks back on Life. The event is hosted by Anne Bokma, a Hamilton journalist, author and memoir coach. Tickets are here. Oct. 18, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., The Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N., Hamilton

Jurassic Park by the HPO
Experience the sheer movie magic of Steven Spielberg’s mega blockbuster Jurassic Park like never before, projected in HD with your HPO performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture! This action-packed adventure, featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, pits humans against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. The HPO will be conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. There will be two performances – a pre-concert talk at 1 p.m. and a concert at 2 p.m. and a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. and a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are here. Oct. 18, 2 p.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place),1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

Pumpkin Fest
Fresh on the heels of Stoney Creek’s late-September Apple Fest, the town rolls out the orange carpet to mark the change of season and celebrate all things pumpkin. Pumpkin Fest is an annual celebration of rotund fruit while providing a decidedly Halloween-y feel – an uplifting event held early enough in the fall that the prospect of shorter (and colder) days still sounds exciting. Costumes are encouraged and all are welcome to take in live music, local vendors, food trucks, family fun, and of course – a plethora of pumpkins. All the info is here. Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shari Lapena at the Playhouse
gritLIT will welcome Shari Lapena to the Playhouse Cinema to discuss her twisty new thriller She Didn't See It Coming with celebrated booklover Alicia Cox Thomson. Lapena is the internationally bestselling author of nine thrillers, including The Couple Next Door, which have all been New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe and Mail bestsellers. Lapena’s books have been sold in 40 territories around the world. She lives on a farm outside Toronto. Cox Thomson writes about culture, design, books and more for the Globe and Mail, 3 Magazine, Chatelaine and the CBC. She also champions her favourite books on-air as a columnist for CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter. Tickets are here. Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

Jeans ‘n Classics at Aquarius
Due to popular demand, Theatre Aquarius’s 2025-2026 Off Aquarius season is exclusively Jeans 'n Classics! The series, which sold out last year, turns up the volume with two electrifying concerts that fuse rock music with full symphonic sound. Up first is Heartland: Current & Classic Country. From the raw edge of Miranda Lambert to the timeless soul of Johnny Cash, Heartland is a thrilling journey through the best of country music – then and now. Jeans ’n Classics pairs powerful vocals with symphonic arrangements to celebrate chart-toppers from Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, and more. With lush orchestration and unforgettable storytelling, this concert blends the grit of modern country with the heart of its roots – capturing everything from heartbreak ballads to boot-stomping anthems. Russle up tickets here. Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. Next upis Never Break the Chain: The Music of Fleetwood Mac. Jeans ’n Classics brings the lush harmonies and warm analog sound of Fleetwood Mac’s hitmaking era to life in a stunning symphonic rock tribute. Three powerhouse vocalists join forces with a full orchestra to deliver the unforgettable classics of one of the most successful pop groups of all time. From shimmering ballads to driving anthems, this concert captures the soul, drama, and magic of Fleetwood Mac like never before. Find tickets here. Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

Hamilton Film Festival presents Junkie Run
Your local dive bar is probably the last place you'd expect to get rich quick. But that's what the regulars at a bar called Good Eats are hoping for when they find out that one of their own, Foggy, is on the run with a bag of money from a botched drug deal. With criss-crossing storylines and high stakes black comedy, Junkie Run follows the intertwined, desperate lives of seven misfits. Each has their reasons for wanting — and needing — the money. Each of these eccentric characters find community in the eclectic, anything-goes atmosphere that Good Eats provides. But the solace their local dive bar provides is quickly shattered by the desperation that runs deep through each of its regulars. Soon, greed takes over, especially as word spreads and more people join the race to find Foggy, and hopefully get their hands on some of his cash. Between the scheming, backstabbing, and lying, alliances are broken just as fast as they are formed. The stakes are raised higher and higher with each day Foggy is on the run, leaving behind a trail of destruction and bloodshed. Tickets are here. Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave., N., Hamilton

Punk Rock Flea Market
Now in its 11th year, Hamilton’s Punk Rock Flea Market takes over the Cotton Factory this fall with a raucous, spooky spin on your average vendor fair. Think live music, food, vintage fashion, oddities, and more with the industrial setting as unique as the offerings. Support local makers at this PWYC market and find treasures at this one-of-a-kind philanthropic event with an underlying punk vibe where it will become clear that this (probably) isn’t your nana’s craft show. Check out all the info here. Oct. 28 (also Dec. 6 and 7), 270 Sherman Ave. N.

Chris Hadfield at the Playhouse Cinema
Astronaut and author Chris Hadfield returns to Hamilton to discuss his new novel Final Orbit, an edge-of-your-seat thriller about China's secret role in the 1970s Space Race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Full of intrigue and real history — including the fascinating story of Professor Tsien Hsue-shen, the “Father of Chinese Rocketry” and founder of China’s space program — Final Orbit accelerates to a thrilling conclusion that captures the beauty and terror of survival 270 miles above Earth, as could only be written by one of the most experienced astronauts alive. A veteran of three space flights, Hadfield crewed the US Space Shuttle twice, piloted the Russian Soyuz, helped build space station Mir, conducted two space walks and served as Commander of the International Space Station. He was also NASA’s director of operations in Russia. Hadfield’s debut novel, The Apollo Murders, became an instant #1 bestseller in Canada, as did his second, The Defector. His first work of nonfiction, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, his photo book, You Are Here, and his children’s book, The Darkest Dark, also debuted at #1, remaining on the lists for months, and went on to become international bestsellers. Hadfield is the co-creator and host of the BBC series Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? and helped create and host, along with actor Will Smith, the National Geographic series One Strange Rock. His zero-gravity version of David Bowie's “Space Oddity” has received more than 50 million views, and his TED talk on fear, over 10 million. Hadfield advises SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and other space companies, chairs the board of the Open Lunar Foundation, leads the CDL-Space international tech incubator, and teaches a MasterClass on space operations. Presented in partnership with Epic Books, Playhouse Cinema, and Random House Canada. Tickets are here. Oct. 28, 7 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

In the Shadows Night Market
You can ramp up the spook factor this Halloween with the In the Shadows Night Market hosted by Sonic Unyon and the Witch’s Fix. Sip and shop all evening and browse handmade products, jewelry, vintage clothing and more. There will be tarot readings and custom Halloween cocktails, too. Oct. 29, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Bridgeworks, 200 Caroline St. N., Hamilton

Sean Jones at AGH
Juno Award winning R&B artist and actor Sean Jones will be performing a live music series called Art & Soul at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Jones is bringing a soulful, intimate concert experience to his hometown.  Each night will pair live music, storytelling, and connection with the gallery’s stunning exhibitions. Expect reimagined versions of your favourite songs, guest artists, and a chance to experience music in a truly artful setting. Jones’s highly acclaimed Soul In The City shows at Casa Loma brought sold out performances every week. He was the first-ever musical ambassador for WestJet, where he created the popular WestJet Boarding Sessions. Jones also opened for Ellen DeGeneres’ arena tour and has shared the stage with music legends Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, David Foster, Usher, Beyoncé, Macy Gray, Eric Benét, Alan Frew, Divine Brown, and Jully Black to name a few. Jones self-produced the successful Christmas concert, Holiday Soul in Hamilton in support of the local food banks. Tickets for Art & Soul are here. Oct. 30, 7 p.m., Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. W., Hamilton

HAPPENING IN NOVEMBER

Gilles Sabourin at HAALSA
Before the famous Manhattan Project on the atomic bomb, a British project nicknamed Tube Alloys was started at Cambridge University, moving to Montreal in 1942. Gilles Sabourin’s award winning book, Montreal and the Bomb, tells this surprising story of famous physicists, forgotten women scientists, spies and more. He will also present new findings on a subgroup of the Montreal Laboratory located at McMaster University. Nuclear engineer Gilles Sabourin worked for 30-plus years on the safety of CANDU nuclear power plants, including 25 years for Atomic Energy of Canada. He is a member of the ACS (Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec) and juries the Hubert-Reeves Prize for Communication in Science. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Sinfonia Ancaster concert season
Sinfonia Ancaster is celebrating 10 years of music with four concerts for its upcoming season. The orchestra, led by Jeffrey Pollock, will kick off the season with “With Glowing Hearts,” Nov. 2, 2 p.m., opening with “O Canada” and featuring pieces by four amazing Canadian composers: Jean Coulthard, Christine Donkin, Gary Kulesha, and Godfrey Ridout. Celebrated Ancaster pianist Valerie Tryon also returns to perform Beethoven's poetic and introspective “4th Piano Concerto.” Next up is “Home for the Holidays,” Dec. 6, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., which will feature the Strata Vocal Ensemble, traditional carols and and audience singalong. “Spring Awakening,” March 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m., which will include Mendelssohn’s romantic and charming violin concerto, performed by Toronto Symphony concertmaster Jonathan Crow, and Ottorino Respighi's “Trittico Botticelliano.” The final concert of the season will be “Monumental Statements,” May 8, 2026, 7:30 p.m., during which Sinfonia Ancaster’sprincipal cellist Amber Ghent will dazzle with Elgar's elegiac and contemplative cello concerto. The concert will conclude with Saint-Saens “Symphony No. 3” with Ian Sadler on the organ. Tickets are here. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster

Pottery sale
The Hamilton Potters Guild Fall Sale and Empty Bowls fundraiser is happening this November. The guild has more than 400 members, and 105 of them will be participating in a huge pottery sale in Dundas with the added feature of raising money via Empty Bowls for Hamilton Food Share. Richard Munn is the event’s feature artist. Free entry and free parking. Nov. 7, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre,10 Market St. S., Dundas

HPO Talk: The Romantics
Explore the life and music of Romantic era heavyweights, Felix Mendelssohn and Giuseppe Verdi at Talk & Tea: The Romantics. HPO composer-in-residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte will take audiences on a deep dive through the Romantic era of classical music. Dive into Verdi’s world and learn how he earned the reputation of being one of the greatest Italian opera composers of all time. Experience the life and music of Mendelssohn through fascinating stories from his privileged upbringing to his friendship with Queen Victoria and his ultimate untimely death. Following the talk, audiences are invited to take in the orchestra’s rehearsal of Mendelssohn’s famous Italian Symphony, which is featured at the HPO concert Light Emerges on Nov. 8. Tickets are here. Nov. 7, 11 a.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place), 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

HPO: Light Emerges
Travel with the HPO and guest conductor Nil Venditti to picturesque destinations and worlds of deep emotion. After Giuseppe Verdi’s tumultuous overture to his opera about tragic destiny, the HPO’s own principal cello Leana Rutt takes the spotlight in Edward Elgar’s passionately brooding Cello Concerto, a lament for a lost world. Wojciech Kilar’s Orawa then brings you to an exuberant highlanders’ dance in the Tatras mountains, while Felix Mendelssohn’s jubilant Fourth Symphony captures his vibrant impressions of Italy. There will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are here. Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place), 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

Musical skills at Mills
Mills Hardware – one of Hamilton's most storied spaces – continues to attract top-tier talent. A certain large-scale GTA venue in the middle of nowhere with transit issues is no match for Mills' intimate setting. Following this fall’s sold-out acoustic set from Wheatus, live music lovers can still look forward to performances by soulful songwriter Billy Raffoul (Nov. 8). Check out the website for the full lineup and pinch yourself at the good fortune of having such incredible options just down the street. Mills Hardware, 95 King St. E.

gritLIT Presents: Joe Hill and Linwood Barclay
There are just three chances to see New York Times bestselling authors Joe Hill and Linwood Barclay together this fall, and gritLIT is a stop on the Tour De Fear. Join gritLIT at the Playhouse Cinema for an evening to celebrate their new novels King Sorrow and Whistle. Epic Books will be on-site with a selection of books from both authors and they will both be available after the event for a book signing. Hill is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and his new novel is a chilling tale of modern-world dangers, dark academia, and the unexpected consequences of revenge as six friends dabble in the occult and are tragically, horrifyingly successful… calling forth an evil entity that demands regular human sacrifice. Barclay, also a New York Times bestselling author, enters new territory with a supernatural chiller in which a woman and her young son move to a small town looking for a fresh start, only to be haunted by disturbing events and strange visions when they find a mysterious train set in a storage shed. Evil has a one track mind.... Get tickets here. Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30 p.m.), Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

Art+Music+Food Festival
The Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Art+Music+Food Festival returns to nourish the creative soul of the city with a vibrant feast of experiences. A 10-day celebration of visual art, food and live music, the event has something for visitors of all ages, and invites the community to connect through interactive workshops, multimedia visual arts, and of course, snacks. Check out the website for full details and schedule and plan to come curious – and hungry. Nov. 13 to 23, 123 King St. W.

The Debaters
CBC’s The Debaters is coming to Hamilton’s McIntyre Theatre with a live show to celebrate their 20th anniversary. To celebrate all the great laughs and questionable facts from the past two decades The Debaters is crossing the country with a holiday tour for all ye faithful fans and listeners. Joining host Steve Patterson on this hilarious sleigh ride are a couple of his favourite debating elves ready to deliver a delightful evening of stand-up comedy and two joke-filled debates in the format made famous on CBC Radio. Book your tickets now to avoid the holiday rush! These special shows are just for live audiences and aren’t recorded for broadcast. Tickets are here. Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., 135 Fennell Ave. W., Hamilton

Theatre Aquarius: Frozen
When Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge the land of Arendelle into an eternal winter, her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom before it’s too late. But as the storm rages on, both sisters must learn that only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. Frozen will defy all expectations on an unforgettable journey packed with thrilling surprises, hilarious characters and soaring music, including songs: “For the First Time in Forever”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and the worldwide smash-hit, “Let it Go." Presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Tickets and information about suitability for young children are here. Nov. 19 to Dec. 21, Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

Choir! Choir! Choir! Un-Silent Night 
Tickets are on sale now for Choir! Choir! Choir!, the fully interactive, participatory show that turns audience into performers. Get ready to laugh, dance and sing your hearts out with hundreds of other music-lovers just like you. It’s like a big birthday party for the greatest songs of all time and you’re invited! So grab a friend (or ten) and come out ready to give it all you’ve got. All voices are welcome, no experience necessary. This time, Choir! Choir! Choir! presents: Un-Silent Night: An EPIC Holiday Sing-Along. Imagine yourself surrounded by hundreds of other voices, making your way through an unforgettable mix of holiday classics and seasonal pop gems! Since 2011, Choir! Choir! Choir! directors Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman have blurred the lines between performer and audience, travelling the world to create harmony with strangers and friends alike. They’ve collaborated with renowned artists like Patti Smith, David Byrne, Brandi Carlile, Rick Astley, Rufus Wainwright, and even Kermit The Frog at New York’s Lincoln Center, creating memorable videos that have garnered views in the millions. Tickets are here. Nov. 22, 8 p.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

Painting Class with Julia Veenstra
Learn how to paint with talented artist Julia Veenstra during a full-day painting class. By the end of the day, you will have a painting of your own to take home. Register here. Nov. 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Crown & Press, 303 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton

An Evening with Margaret Atwood
An Evening with Margaret Atwood will support the work of Interval House Hamilton in helping women and children facing violence at Interval House of Hamilton.The night will be moderated by TV journalist Steve Paikin. The globally renowned Canadian author whose storytelling has sparked generations of dialogue on power, gender, and justice will visit Hamilton in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The discussion will explore timely themes from The Handmaid’s Tale, drawing thought-provoking connections to current global and national events. Atwood will also reflect on the evolution of feminism and her hopes for the future of women's rights. The event aims to raise critical funds to support women and children escaping abuse. Interval House of Hamilton is a 26-bed shelter for women and children fleeing violence. Funds raised will support shelter operations, counselling, transitional housing, and programs that empower survivors to reclaim their lives. Tickets are here. Nov. 25, 7 p.m., Hamilton Convention Centre, 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

HPO: Considering Matthew Shepard
The HPO is proud to present Considering Matthew Shepard, featuring The Elora Singers. Composer Craig Hella Johnson’s moving fusion oratorio is a reflection and response to the life, legacy and tragic death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man whose murder in 1998 became a catalyst for change. Johnson’s composition weaves together poetry, personal reflections and historical texts to create a profound musical journey with soloists, choir and chamber orchestra. Musicians of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mark Vuorinen, are joined by The Elora Singers for this performance sharing a hopeful message of love over hate and light over darkness.Content note: Considering Matthew Shepard is a musical depiction of the actual events surrounding Matthew’s murder and contains direct quotes referencing extreme violence and hate. Tickets are here. Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Performing Arts Centre, 135 Fennell Ave. W., Hamilton

Fall makers market
St. Christopher’s Church in Burlington is hosting a fall makers market. It will feature a variety of vendors, from bread and honey to jewelry and textiles. Light refreshments will be available and the plan is to have Christmas trees for sale. A vendor application is here. Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Christopher’s Church, 662 Guelph Line, Burlington

HAPPENING IN DECEMBER

HPO: The Messiah
The HPO and the Bach Elgar Choir come together for Handel’s monumental work Messiah. From the soft beauty of the opening notes to the resounding joy of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” this performance promises to uplift and delight audiences during the festive season. Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 7, 3 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena, Roman Catholic Church, 620 Rymal Rd. E., Hamilton. For the first time, the HPO and the Bach Elgar Choir come together for a sing-along of Handel’s Messiah. Come one, come all, and lend your voice to the stirring choruses of this monumental work and join the choir for one night only! Whether you’re an avid singer, occasional songster or an impassioned listener this is a holiday tradition you won’t want to miss! Dec. 6, 3 p.m., Central Presbyterian Church, 165 Charlton Ave. W., Hamilton. Buy tickets for all performances here.

HPO: ‘Tis the Season
Celebrate the festive season with the HPO in a heartwarming concert of music that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit! Hear favourite carols, classic holiday songs and other merry tunes performed in glorious orchestral sound by the orchestra augmented by the young musicians of the HPYO plus the beautiful voices of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, and featuring a cast of local dancers. There will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are here. Dec. 13, FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place), 1 Summers Ln, Hamilton

Brott for the holidays
The Brott Festival 2025 will close out with two holiday performances. Musical Magic of Christmas will be a festive celebration filled with joyful surprises, including a merry singalong led by conductor Martin MacDonald, a Christmas sweater contest and a lobby with pre-concert family activities. It’s the perfect way to fill your heart with the holiday spirit and create magical moments with your family and friends. Dec. 6, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton. The National Academy Orchestra of Canada will perform Handel’s Messiah, a glorious, moving work, that is filled with moments of pure wonder and has uplifted audiences for generations with its message of peace and renewal. From the first orchestral breath to the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Amen,” this is music that inspires with warmth, grandeur, and the power to light up the season. Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St, Burlington

Gillian Goward at HAALSA
Batteries enable the social media world, polarize our vehicle choices, and offer the elusive promise of storage for intermittent renewable energy (solar and wind). Is electrification a climate change solution or a red herring? Will we run out of lithium? Dr. Gillian Goward will guide us in examining these very important questions in lecture A Perspective on Lithium-Ion Battery Technologies. Dr. Goward chairs the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology at McMaster and holds the Faculty of Science Research Chair in Magnetic Resonance in Materials for Energy Storage. Her research focuses on lithium-ion batteries, fuel cell and other alternative energy devices. In 2023, she received the prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Award for outstanding achievement in the science of spectroscopy. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

HAPPENING IN THE NEW YEAR

John Geiger at HAALSA
Led by John Geiger, dive into the thrilling tale of the expedition to find Sir Ernest Shackleton’s last ship, Quest, on which the famous polar explorer died, thus ending the Heroic Age of Exploration. CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Geiger directed the RCGS’ role in finding Franklin’s ship, the Erebus, in 2014. In 2024, he led the team that found Sir Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship Quest. Bestselling author of seven books, Geiger is a recipient of the Order of Canada among many other honours. In 2015, he co-conceived the Indigenous Peoples’ Atlas of Canada. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Theatre Aquarius: BOOM X
BOOM X picks up at Woodstock in August of ‘69, and takes us all the way to 1995, when the internet began to dominate our lives. Over the course of 100 minutes, writer, director and performer Rick Miller plays over 100 colourful characters from the days of disco, the oil crisis, Watergate, the Cold War, video games, punk rock, the (second) British Invasion, and more. An explosive, inter-generational celebration of Canada, and its place in the world. Tickets are here. Jan. 21 to Feb. 7, Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

Zeinab Hosseinidoust at HAALSA
Dr. Zeinab Hosseinidoust leads a team of bioengineers in training at McMaster University. She has a patent portfolio on bacteriophage bioengineering built around impactful scientific publications that challenge the status quo. Her team’s mission is to create innovative technologies that enable integration of bacteriophages (aka phages, viruses that exclusively target bacteria) as antimicrobials in health care and beyond. In her talk, Phages to the Rescue, she will provide an overview of history and status of phage therapy and outline the outstanding challenges. She will present the technologies her team has developed to make phage antimicrobials more scalable, stable, and accessible. Hosseinidoust is Canada Research Chair in Bacteriophage Bioengineering, and associate professor in McMaster’s Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, The Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research, the Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research and the Michael G DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Brit Floyd
Tickets go on sale Oct. 3 through Ticketmaster for Brit Floyd’s return to Hamilton with the best of The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall next February. This new production celebrates two of the most iconic and influential albums in rock history — Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall — with a breathtaking show that captures the spirit, sound, and spectacle of the legendary band. Since their formation, Brit Floyd has set the standard for tribute performances, delivering stadium-scale concerts that combine stunning musicianship, cutting-edge visuals, and an unparalleled attention to detail. With over 1,500 shows performed in more than 40 countries, Brit Floyd has earned worldwide acclaim as the definitive live Pink Floyd experience. Accompanied by a state-of-the-art light show, lasers, video projections, inflatables, and theatrical staging, The Moon, The Wall and Beyond promises to be a must-see event for lifelong Floyd fans and new generations alike. Feb. 9, FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

Josh Ross concert
Josh Ross is bringing his Later Tonight Tour to FirstOntario Concert Hall. Tickets are here. Ross pairs a dark and mellow blast of modern country with a warm vocal rasp and rock inclinations, heart-on-his-sleeve songwriting and addictive hooks that heed no borders. Pulling from a wide range of musical influences, the former collegiate football player has leveraged his knack for emotional song craft into a series of certified hits. Canada-born and Nashville-based, the reigning 2024 CCMA Entertainer of the Year, 6x 2025 CCMA Award nominee, and winner of the 2024 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award tallies over 1 billion streams, touring alongside hard-rocking, cross-genre superstars like Nickelback, Brantley Gilbert, Bailey Zimmerman, and Luke Bryan. Earlier this year, Ross was tour support to Jelly Roll on The Beautifully Broken Great Northern Tour across Canada, and will open select dates for Dylan Scott this fall. Feb. 18, 2026, 8 p.m., FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

Theatre Aquarius: Murder on the Orient Express
One of Agatha Christie’s greatest literary achievements, with a final twist among her best! Detective Hercule Poirot is aboard the Orient Express when an unlikeable wealthy American is murdered. As the debonair detective investigates, he encounters a cast of intriguing passengers, including the glamorous Mrs. Hubbard and the enigmatic Princess Dragomiroff. With his unparalleled eye for detail and keen instincts, Poirot uncovers secrets and motives as he seeks the truth behind the murder in this suspenseful tale of deception, revenge and justice. Directed by Mary Francis Moore. Tickets are here. March 4 to 21, Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

Sigal Balshine at HAALSA
What happens when an invasive fish species establishes itself in a highly human-modified aquatic environment? The round goby is a small bottom-dwelling fish that has had big impacts on Hamilton Harbour and the Great Lakes. Dr. Sigal Balshine and her research team explore the effect of this species on Hamilton Harbour's ecosystem and how to manage it. Balshine, a professor in McMaster’s Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, is also an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Biology. Her research centres on evolutionary behavioural ecology with a special focus on sociality, breeding system evolution and anthropogenic impacts on behaviour. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. March 7, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Daniel Coleman & Rick Hill at HAALSA
Daniel Coleman and Rick Hill, two colleagues and friends, share their experience of trying to live by the treaty principles of the Two Row Wampum (1610s) and the Silver Covenant Chain (1660s) to navigate the river of life more effectively, increasing the viability of relationships between different worlds. In light of climate change, ancestral knowledge from the European ship and the Indigenous canoe must be more thoughtfully engaged. This presentation, Finding Our Future through the Wampum Covenant, is our lifeline to each other as individuals and as communities. Dr. Daniel Coleman (Scots-Irish/Danish Canadian), teacher and writer, recently retired  from McMaster’s Department of English & Cultural Studies. Rick Hill O.C. (Tuscarora, Six Nations), artist and historian, recently retired as Mohawk College’s specialist in Indigenous Innovation. The Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, founded in 1857, hosts free public lectures into matters of public interest. April 11, 7:30 p.m., Rm. 1A1, Ewart Angus Centre, McMaster Medical Centre, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton

Theatre Aquarius: It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken 
It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken tells the story of a family in turmoil facing the revelation of long-guarded secrets and the resilience they find through a group of friends in the micro-mosaic of Toronto’s Kensington Market. It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken will immerse audiences in a powerful original story integrated with The Tragically Hip’s timeless hits, capturing the raw energy, heartfelt lyrics, and unmistakable spirit that have made them an essential part of Canada’s musical identity. In partnership with Thousand Islands Playhouse. Tickets are here. April 22 to May 16, Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., Hamilton

RECURRING EVENTS

For the record(s)
Turn the tables on the digital age and go for a low-fi hang at Nanny & Bulls. The Wednesday Wax Club – held monthly – invites audiophiles to sell, swap, or simply listen to a selection of records in their comfy retro Rumpus Room. Enjoy a nostalgic evening with fellow vinyl lovers, taking solace in the fact that you won’t have to explain that the scratches make it sound better, and how dropping the needle into that groove perfectly the first time is one of life’s most special thrills. More info here. Second Wednesday of every month, 627 Barton St.

A bit dodgy
Anyone else have dodgeball flashbacks from grade school? Average Joe Sports Club can help you right some schoolyard wrongs at its recreational dodgeball leagues, offered throughout the year. Join as an individual or with a group and take workplace teambuilding to a new level. When your coworkers get a load of your mad skills, no one will eat your yogurt from the office fridge again, and we’re talking to you, Janet. For the more faint of heart, more refined sports are also offered, including frisbee, volleyball, or the always popular sports sampler.

Hamilton Haunts
Don your walking shoes, pack your bravery, and hit the streets under the cover of darkness with Hamilton’s Ghost Walks. Led by knowledgeable and fearless storytellers, three separate tours – Hamilton’s Dark History, Dundurn Castle and a city bus tour (on Halloween only), and the eerie secrets of Dundas – are part historical walk, part macabre meander. Participants come away with a passionate reverence for our shady history, and a new wariness of shadowy corners. Have a boo at the website for details and get ready to see the city in a whole new (albeit dim) light.

Night riders
Join the city’s brightest bike gang and take a night ride with the Hamilton Glowriders to help promote safe cycling while spreading some feel-good vibes. Departing from Corktown Park, the monthly group rides feature a colourful crew of cyclists riding blinking, twinkling bicycles, proving that string lights aren’t just for holidays. Music is also heavily encouraged for the full sensory effect, so if you’ve got a Bluetooth speaker kicking around, crank that up, too. Roll over to the website for dates and full details.

Right on Target
Channel your inner Cupid (or Apollo, or Katniss Everdeen, depending on your fav fandom) at BATL Axe Throwing. Best known for its axe- and knife-throwing events – the James Street business has now added archery to its offerings, providing customers with yet another inventive method of moving pointy item A to a receptive location B – carefully. Archers are provided with guidance and safety instructions from knowledgeable staff members, and a quiver-full of digital games featuring multiple interactive targets, ensuring their skills stay sharp.
50 James St. N.

Amped Up about Bingo
Put down those inky daubers and don your listening ears for a different kind of bingo game. Rock & Roll Bingo – offered monthly at The Mule – invites taco-loving participants to turn their phones into interactive bingo cards while tunes are pumped through the speakers as clues, a musical approach much more energizing than a monotonous calling out of random numbers and letters. Each of the three rounds played nightly offers a chance for players to win a gift card to The Mule, and with free tacos at stake, competition is bound to get spicy. Last Wednesday of each month.

Happy Trails
Solo walks are great, but something amazing happens when a group of chill wanderers heads to the woods – and it’s not just having someone to hold your water bottle when your shoe needs tying. Happy Hikers Hamilton invites adventurers of all abilities (and even their furry friends) to join group hikes on local trails with a supportive community and share the experience of being one with nature – together. A recent outing has even included a café crawl – because urban hikes can also be fun, and a bit less sweaty. 

Makers See, Makers Do
Hamilton’s DIY community is welcomed to step away from the kitchen table or come out of the garage to meet like-minded doers at Art Aggregate’s monthly maker meetups. Offering studio space, workshops, and a great community, Art Aggregate’s team welcomes all creatives to the meetups to get advice, expand their network, or simply show off their work to an engaged audience. Creativity breeds creativity – just because you can do it yourself, doesn’t mean you always have to. 637 Parkdale Ave. N.

Hunt Up Some Fun
See ya, sofa. Date night just got a bit more interesting, thanks to the Hamilton Hopper, an app-led outdoor scavenger hunt offered by Let’s Roam. Part tour, part game, participants hit up some of the city’s must-see spots, while completing challenges along the way. Turn your phone scrolling from a solitary activity into a way to connect IRL – we promise, it won’t hurt a bit. No date? No problem. The hunts – offered worldwide – are also perfect for friends, families, and even the co-workers that you wouldn’t mind getting to know a bit better.

Watch Your Temper
Learning more about where your food comes from is rarely as sweet – or delicious – as when you’re talking about chocolate. At the hands-on classic chocolate-making workshop, offered by Chocolate Tales, the history of the confection is unwrapped, while students learn about tempering and molding, truffle-making and decorating, and even some tasting. The best part of the class might actually be the homework – a box of treats to finish on your own time. Check out the website for upcoming dates and to register. 430 York Blvd.

A Co-Worker’s Gotta Eat
Working from home can be lonely and if done right, can also work up an appetite. Fortunately, 541 Eatery and Exchange can solve both conundrums at its Wednesday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) catered co-working events at Last Supper Books. The community focused, not-for profit café serves up a delicious meal with a side of connection at the cozy bookstore, allowing the work-from-homers among us a great reason to venture out, have a bite, and meet some peeps while still getting stuff done. Check out the website for more info and to reserve. 148 James St. N.

Gravity Is Underrated
Being grounded is great, but sometimes having your head in the clouds offers a welcome change of scenery. Check out the view from above at a two-hour guided climb at Gravity Climbing Gym where trained staff take care of the tying, harnessing and belaying, so participants need only to focus on climbing. Meet forearm muscles you didn’t know you had and problem solve your way to the top of the gym’s walls with an average height of 45 feet, while your dedicated belayer offers tips and does the heavy lifting (you). 70 Frid St.

Open mic kickoff
Vertagogo is re-launching a weekly open mic every Tuesday at 7 p.m. with a rotating curation of hosts! Singer-songwriters, drag artists, poets, musicians, comedians, magicians…all are welcome! There is a big stage, big sound system, and great hosts. The event includes a pay-what-you-can cover and is all ages until 11 p.m. Vertagogo, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton

Risky Business ’80s Night
After a 10-year run at the now-closed Casbah, the popular Risky Business ’80s Night (first Saturday of the month) shifts to its new location at The Corktown Pub. Were you fortunate enough to experience the joys of '80s music the first time around (hi!) or were you introduced to the magnitude of its awesomeness at a different time? Either way, fans of that dot on the musical landscape are invited to hit the Corktown! The music that came out of that decade was eclectic and revolutionary – and having a monthly celebration of this fact is totally rad. See you there. First Saturdays of the month. The Corktown, 175 Young St., Hamilton

Improving your improv
If you ever wanted to jump on a stage and beef up your improv chops, The Staircase is the place. There are weekly drop-ins and dedicated workshop series. Check it out here.

Date-night cooking class
Rather than let someone else do the cooking on your next date night, take matters into your own hands by attending a date-night cooking class, offered by chef-run Gastro Market. Held each Friday evening, the classes feature a set theme and ethnic cuisine, and wrap up with participants enjoying the resulting three-course meal by candlelight in the on-site dining room. Not just for couples, Gastro Market can also accommodate private classes for a minimum of 10 students, and also offers several skills courses to help get Hamiltonians cooking. Fire up their website for more details on all the classes offered, pricing, and upcoming schedule. Gastro Market, 193 King St. E.  

Date-night painting class
Add a bit of colour to your next night out by joining local artist Karen Klucowicz at her Cotton Factory studio for a date-night painting class. No artistic experience is required at the intimate monthly class, limited to five couples, each with their own workstation affording a bit of privacy for chatting, admiring, or giggling. The night begins with a drawing exercise, moves to some technique work, and culminates in each couple creating a painting of their own, which will surely be wall worthy. All materials are provided, as is a titch of wine and light snacks, because creativity can work up an appetite. More information here. 270 Sherman Ave. N.

Room and Board Games
Bored with your own board game selection? Hamilton’s own board game café – the Bard and the Bear – offers meetups on the last Thursday of each month where boardies are welcomed to try any of the 900+ games on tap. Come as a group or – if you’re sick of solitaire – meet fellow enthusiasts to discover your new favourite game. With an enthusiastic staff on hand to offer recommendations or help decipher instructions, and a full food menu to provide sustenance, the good times will be sure to roll. Bard and the Bear, 237 James St. N.

Downward doggos
Many things in life can be improved with the presence of a puppy and yoga is no exception. Get your dog-fuelled dopamine pumping at Studio 35 Puppy Yoga, where an instructor leads a 95-minute class as 10 furry free-roaming roly polys “help” guide you through the session. The final 25 minutes of the class are dedicated to the most snuggly savasana you’ve ever had. For the yoga-curious out there, if there was ever a reason to finally roll out a mat – it’s puppies. Check out the website for full details and to book a session.

Float Your Boat
Test the theory that life is better on the water this summer by taking a 50-minute narrated cruise aboard the Hamiltonian, launching from the Pier 7 docks. Gain a new water-based perspective of the city’s skyline while the captain recounts the history of Hamilton’s bustling harbour. As you hop off the boat at the end of the trip, full of fresh air and fun facts – and leave the docking to the staff (so many ropes!) – you can also test the theory that the best boat is someone else’s. Cruise over to the website for schedules, ticket pricing and more info.

Ride On
The Moto Social, the global motorcycle initiative where motorbikes are optional for membership but good vibes are mandatory, cruises again to Hamilton this summer for monthly meetups. Helping build a bit of suspense, the location of each gathering is announced two weeks prior. Past spots include Hutch’s, Grain & Grit and Merk Snack Bar. Regardless of the locale, there will likely be lots of parking at these mobile parties, where those who ride mingle happily with bikeless bipeds.

Smarten Up
If social media scrolling is causing some atrophy of the ol’ thinker, it’s time to get curious and head to Shawn and Ed’s Brewing Co. in Dundas for the monthly Nerd Night. The PWYC event, with proceeds going to the Routes Youth Centre, features an evening of educational talks led by esteemed hosts – their credentials housed in the impressive smattering of letters after their names. Wide-ranging smarty-pants topics cover philosophy, science and more, the brain-bending and social evenings providing way more fun than a Google search could ever offer. Study the website for dates and more details.

Blues for the Sunday Blues
Occasionally, things get a bit blue at Shawn and Ed’s Brewing Co., but not in a bad way. Musicians Chuck Jackson and Tyler Yarema – members of the Juno award winning Downchild Blues Band – perform monthly at the historic brewhouse, adding a pinch of soul-filled rhythm that pairs perfectly with the house-made hops. During the Blues and Brews show, audiences can enjoy some afternoon sustenance from the brewery’s menu of snacks and bevvies – the live music and tasty treats marking an ideal way to start an upcoming week off on the right note. First Sunday of each month.

Soapy Soliloquies
There’s nothing quite so brilliant as those ideas that strike in the solitude of the shower, somewhere between shampooing and conditioning with nary a pen to be found. Monday Press – Hamilton’s independent publisher and arts collective – invites you to Shower Thoughts, their monthly drop-in writing workshop to flesh out these soggy musings on paper. The evening begins with a reading by a featured poet followed by writing exercises and workshopping with a supportive and creative crowd. The night wraps with an open mic where the prose – all cleaned up – can make its official debut. First Monday of every month, 7 p.m., Farside, 288 James St. N.

Mama Mondays and the Townhall Tikes
Just as tots benefit from social outings, so, too, do their caregivers. Join a community of smalls and talls at Townhall Social Eatery during Mama Mondays, where everyone is invited. With the diminutive audience entertained by Storytime with Auntie Amber, the grownups can catch a breath and enjoy a treat from a Townhall vendor – one that they might not even need to share. Swap war stories and share valuable intel with folks who know exactly why it took far longer than you could ever imagine to load up the stroller to come. Mondays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Townhall Social Eatery, 581 Concession St., Hamilton

Plein as Day
The stunningly restored historic Kitchen Garden of Dundurn Castle, which supplies the site’s kitchen with more than 200 heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers is waiting to also supply some inspo to your artistic talents. The idyllic 1.5-acre garden is open monthly to budding artists looking to brush up on plein air painting – a practice fundamental to Impressionism that focuses on the use of natural light. Bring your own materials, settle into
your spot in the garden, and channel your inner Monet. Regular admission rates apply. Check out the website for dates. Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd.

The Cemetery Chronicles
Put down the history book and take a field trip instead to the Hamilton Cemetery, where the poignant setting gives the stories told by the gravestones some reverential gravity. Better yet, join a historical interpreter for a guided walking tour as they recount significant events, pointing out related memorials along the way. Topics include the cholera epidemic, naval disasters and the War of 1812, and with these weighty stories literally afoot, participants will be impressed by the reminder that history happened here. Visit the website for full details and dates. Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd.

We Ride At Night
Be a bright spot in the darkness by joining the Hamilton Glowriders (“Hamilton’s brightest bicycle gang”) on their monthly group bike ride, held under the cover of darkness. With the goal of promoting safe and legal cycling, the group invites riders of all abilities to join in and light it up. Adorn your bicycle in lights, snap that glowstick, and roll through town with the glittering group on its casually paced, 90-minute ride, sharing the unique perspective on our city that – just like this colourful caravan – only comes out at night. Check out the website for details.

Singing at the Staircase
A thriving cultural centre in Hamilton for years, the Staircase Theatre has hosted all manner of performers during its lifetime, and you and your dulcet tones can now be added to the list. Get those vocal cords warmed up at the monthly Stairyoke Karaoke evenings held in the lounge of the historic building. Thrill the audience with your moves, stage presence and vibrato, and prove that all that singing in the shower was well worth the water. Third Thursday of each month.

All Fired Up
Play With Clay, Locke Street’s interactive pottery studio, wants you to get your hands dirty at one of its drop-in sessions and classes in pottery painting and clay hand-building. Ready to throw your creative hat in the ring? Students can even take a spin on the pottery wheel by booking an hour-long guided lesson. You’ll make a new treasure to take home, and we dare you to refrain from making reference to a certain 1990s film. You know the one.

Shucking School
Oysters can be stubborn little things and knowing how to open one properly (and safely) is one of the universe’s deepest secrets. Fortunately, David Burns, owner of Maisy’s Pearl Oyster Bar on Barton Street is passionate about the beguiling bivalve and eager to share his knowledge. In addition to his restaurant and shop, Burns – an award-winning shucker on both a national and international level – offers private classes where he schools students on all things oyster – their health benefits, sustainability, varieties, and of course, the trick to conduct a proper shuck.

A Collective Tour
Since its inception in 2013, Hamilton’s Collective Arts brewery has been a champion of the creativity of craft beer and artists – the culmination of both fitting easily in the palm of one’s hand in the form of their recognizable, colourful cans. Get a peek behind the curtain and learn how Collective Arts was developed from brand to brews, in a 45-minute guided tour. Each guest is provided one pint of beer to wet their whistles and a discount at the retail shop for souvenirs. Saturdays.

Pet Propaganda
If your dog thinks that they are pretty special because they keep your floor crumb-free, you might want tell them about the latest exhibit at the Warplane Heritage Museum. “Even A Dog Enlists” is an encapsulation of the crucial role that animals played in war – both as active participants on the field and as featured figures in the propaganda of the time, when their images were used to increase national pride and enlistment. These heroic animals throughout the Allied countries made a tremendous sacrifice for us all, so all joking aside – give your own furry friend an extra tight hug tonight. Until March 18, Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope

Pet-ty Fun
Ancaster’s Triple C Farm is a spot quite like no other – an idyllic patch of country heaven that offers sanctuary to a literal menagerie of farm animals. Commune with nature while getting in your furry fix by scheduling a visit to the farm’s petting zoo, and just try to not fall in love with at least one of their charges who, by the way, cannot go home with you. Feeling flexible? Check out the farm’s website for other memorable offerings including animal walks, horseback rides and – no kidding around – goat yoga. Visit the website for full details and to register. Triple C Farm, 500 Carluke Rd. W., Ancaster

Feeling Sketchy 
Do you ever suddenly feel the need to create? Hopefully it happens on a Thursday, when each week visitors are invited to drop in to the McMaster Museum of Art to take part in unguided Sketching Sessions. While surrounded by the museum’s vast collection, budding artists are encouraged to simply sketch, drawing inspiration from the variety of the M(M)A’s works. A little imagination is mandatory, but no registration is required, and neither is preparation – shared art supplies are provided. Thursdays 4:30-6:30, McMaster University

Stories of Migration and Belonging
Hamilton is a diverse and vibrant city thanks to the immigrants who have chosen to come here. Through a video exhibit on immigration produced by the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, viewers can learn about the experiences of immigrants and refugees from all over the world who have made Hamilton their home. The project includes video interviews with six immigrants from Italy, China, Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Ukraine who moved to Hamilton between the 1940s and all the way up to 2023. The exhibit also includes facts about a wide range of historic and current immigration topics.

Innovation Meets Art
Artefact Social and the Hamilton Technology Centre has unveiled a new rotating exhibition space called Art at Seven Innovation. The first exhibition features 32  local artists and showcases about 50 pieces. A range of artists are taking part, from emerging artists to well-known, established artists such as Paul Elia and Cheryl-Ann Hills and exciting new-to-the-area artists such as Joseph Leanage. Hamilton Technology Centre, 7 Innovation Dr., Dundas

Go for A Beer Run
When it comes to exercise, different things motivate different people, and if you are motivated by either a supportive group or beer – or both – Fairweather Brewery has you covered. Open to runners of all abilities, the Fairweather Runners running club meets every Sunday morning for an easy, friendly 5K group run. You’re welcome to head home for a well-earned hot shower afterwards but consider lingering a bit at the brewery instead, bonding with your new gang, swapping stories about your favourite routes, newest gear, and latest injuries. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.

Buoyed by Hamilton
Viewing any city’s skyline from the water is a magical thing: the new nautical perspective provides a mysterious, almost storybook vantage point. Our Hamilton is no different, and when viewed from the water, with its industrial, commercial, and residential areas on display in one glance, it’s staggering to see the beautiful scope of what the city offers. Intrigued, but no boat? No problem. Now in its 19th season, The Hamiltonian – a 12-passenger sightseeing vessel – offers a leisurely 50-minute narrated tour of the Hamilton Harbour, where guests earn their sea legs while learning about a different side of the city. Tours depart from Pier 7 docks.

Work As A Group, Individually
Being an artist can sometimes be a solitary endeavour, yet at the same time, creativity breeds creativity. With this dichotomy in mind, the Youth Art Collective regularly welcomes young artists 14+ to come together to share their skills and hone their craft with like-minded cohorts at art-making meetups. The casual drop-in events are offered each month at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, and offer a welcoming and inspiring space for sketching, painting and creating en masse. 6:30-9 p.m., Art Gallery of Hamilton

A Moment At The Mic
Have a song, comedy set or poem you’re itching to debut, but no audience? The Staircase is ready to provide one for you at its monthly open mic nights. Performers simply need to sign up for a 10-minute time slot upon arriving and then wait for their chance to take the cozy stage. Relay Coffee is in the house providing coffee and snacks, so expect a fully caffeinated and alert crowd cheering you on in the welcoming air of the theatre. Check out the website for details and more dates. Wednesdays, The Staircase

Tree For All
Get up to something new this spring at Treetop Trekking at the Binbrook Conservation Area. Visitors looking for a bit of adventure can test their skills – and bravery – on an array of suspension bridges, Tarzan swings, or zip lines that promise to offer more than the usual walk in the park. Rest assured that the younger crew is not left behind in the trees, as a lower-to-the-ground course is available for visitors five to eight years old. For a more reflective visit with less screaming, the park will also offer a forest bathing experience, where participants are led by a certified forest therapy guide who will help them connect with nature, and themselves, on a new, deeper level. Binbrook Conservation Area.

Hiding in Hamilton
When you’re searching for a new activity to do with your pals, family or even co-workers, look no further than Hamilton Hopper – an app-lead scavenger hunt by Let’s Roam. Available in cities all over the world, the 90-minute to two-hour hunts are equal parts tour and game, each customized to the number and ages of participants. and are a perfect way to have fun and get the competitive juices flowing. With an assortment of challenges popping up along the way – those that are photo-based are quite literally “a picture or it didn’t happen” – the tours offer a perfect opportunity to seek out, and hopefully find, some new aspects of the city that have been hiding in plain sight this whole time.

If you have an event happening in Hamilton and Burlington you would like to see listed here, email meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca.