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

International Overdose Awareness Day
Good Shepherd is marking International Overdose Awareness Day with a public event in which community members are invited to join staff, partners, and individuals with lived experience to remember those lost to overdose and learn more about the role harm reduction plays in supporting recovery. The event features a barbecue lunch, information booths, Naloxone education, and community resources. It is free to attend. At Good Shepherd, harm reduction is woven throughout the organization's services. Across emergency shelters, supportive housing, community outreach and mental health programs, staff use trauma-informed, evidence-based harm reduction approaches to build trusting relationships, reduce barriers to care, and support individuals on their path toward recovery. Good Shepherd’s harm reduction and addictions workers provide support for individuals experiencing substance use concerns. Good Shepherd believes that compassion, evidence-informed care, and collaboration are essential to improving health outcomes. Last year, Good Shepherd distributed more than 500 Naloxone kits to help prevent overdose deaths and increase access to life-saving resources. Friday, Aug. 28 from noon to 4 p.m., Good Shepherd Venture Centre, 155 Cannon St. E.

Root for the home team
The Hamilton Cardinals will take on the Barrie Baycats, Friday, Aug. 28, 7:35 p.m., and will finish out their season against the Brantford Red Sox, Sunday, Aug. 30, 4:05 p.m., Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium, 1100 Mohawk Rd. E., Hamilton. Don't miss Forge FC taking on Supra du Quebec, Aug. 28, 7 p.m., and Intra Toronto on Sept. 5, 7 p.m., and Atlético Ottawa, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Hamilton Stadium, 64 Melrose Ave. N., Hamilton. The Hamilton Ticats are battling the Toronto Argonauts in the Labour Day Classic on Monday, Sept. 7, 2:30 p.m., and then the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m., Hamilton Stadium, 64 Melrose Ave. N., Hamilton

Young Rooks launches with Hamilton play
Hamilton's newest professional theatre apprenticeship is putting emerging artists to work. This August, five Hamilton performers between the ages of 13 and 21 will take the stage at The Back Hall in We All Got Lost — a queer gothic coming-of-age play by Hamilton playwright Camille Intson, and the inaugural production of Young Rooks. Young Rooks is Rook's Theatre's professional apprenticeship stream for emerging artists aged 16–24. It is a professional theatre company, making professional work, with young artists in real roles doing real jobs. We All Got Lost was the winner of the Fringe New Play Contest and Best of Fringe at the Hamilton Fringe Festival in 2019. Told through Billie’s memories, it follows five Catholic schoolgirls in Northern Ontario who build a secret storytelling circle where they rewrite scripture and become who they need to be, away from the reach of school and family and faith. When tragedy strikes, the girls must reckon with the cost of their stories. We All Got Lost runs for three nights only. Rook's Theatre is a Hamilton-based independent company founded in 2017 by Lawlor. Heading into its ninth year, the company operates three streams: mainstage productions, Young Rooks (professional apprenticeships for emerging artists aged 16–24), and Rooks Hatch (its collaborative network of professional artists). Tickets are here. Aug. 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m., The Back Hall, Eucharist Church, 130 Victoria Ave. N., Hamilton

Puppy Dog Picnic
Puppy Dog Picnic is downtown Hamilton's first festival for dog lovers and their pets, taking place at Strachan Linear Park. This free, undoubtedly cute, event is made possible by the City of Hamilton's Downtown Placemaking Grant, and run by Dog-Friendly Hamilton in partnership with Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. Dog-Friendly Hamilton's purpose is to encourage more dog-friendly spaces around Hamilton, so the space will be transformed into a true dog-friendly afternoon: centred around 80 free bookable picnic blankets with dog tie-ups, where dog owners can reserve a spot, secure their dog's leash, order from local food trucks, and relax with their pups in the park. There will also be plenty of dog-friendly treats, shopping, activities, and a water station for keeping pups hydrated. Reserve a free dog-friendly picnic blanket for your group here. Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Strachan Linear Park, North End – Strachan Street East between Ferguson & John.

Digital Canaries set sale
Step inside the Digital Canaries warehouse and explore thousands of incredible pieces rescued from film and television productions. From vintage furniture and artwork to lighting, décor, textiles, kitchenware, and one-of-a-kind treasures, every visit is a new adventure. Trucks arrive weekly, so there's always fresh inventory waiting to be discovered. Whether you're furnishing your home, searching for your next DIY project, decorating a dorm room, sourcing for your business, or simply love the thrill of finding something unexpected, you'll find inspiration around every corner. More than a sale, this is sustainability in action. Every item rehomed is another piece diverted from landfill and given a new story to tell. Reserve a spot here. Saturday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 243 Queen St. N., Hamilton

Painting Class with Andrew Judd
Award-winning artist Andrew Judd spends the day teaching you how to paint. Paint, canvas, coffee and lunch are covered. Tickets are here. Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m., Crown & Press, 303 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton

Art Walk
Elizabeth Gardens Creative Collective is hosting the 6th annual Art Walk, a free, all-ages event featuring 40-plus local artists & makers, hands-on art activities and demos, an art scavenger hunt, a community art installation. Elizabeth Gardens is a volunteer-run community of artists, educators, and creatives in Burlington's Elizabeth Gardens neighbourhood connecting, creating, and growing together since 2021. More information is here. Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lion’s Park, 471 Pearl St., Burlington

Theatre Aquarius theatre school registration
Discover the magic of the stage this fall at Theatre Aquarius! Whether your child is taking their first bow or you're looking to build your performance skills, fall theatre classes offer something for everyone, from grade 2 to adults. Explore acting and musical theatre in a fun, creative, and supportive environment led by experienced instructors. Build confidence, make new friends, and let your imagination shine. Get all the details and schedule here.

Anchorball at RBG
The Canadian premiere of ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey is on at RBG! Explore the vibrant sculptural universe of artist and contemporary sculptor Ken Kelleher, internationally known as Anchorball. This massive outdoor exhibition transforms the garden into a vivid sculptural landscape where bold characters, imaginative narratives, and contemporary form merge with nature and blooms to create a world that feels full of wonder, yet deeply recognizable. Featuring 18 monumental sculptures ranging up to 12 feet tall, the exhibition introduces visitors to an evolving fictional universe, known as Low Orbit City, populated by playful and mythical characters. In addition to the physical installations, visitors can discover a hidden digital world using augmented reality with characters known as Cloudwalkers, and unlock an AR Masterpiece, extending the experience beyond the visible landscape and inviting moments of surprise, play, and exploration throughout the garden. Come experience a joyful fusion of nature and art designed for curiousity, fun, exploration, and imagination. Entry to Anchorball is included with your RBG daily admission or RBG membership. More information is here. Until Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (last entry at 4 p.m.). You can also experience ANCHORBALL as part of RBG After Dark, a 19+ event. Explore the gardens after hours surrounded by 18 large-scale pop art sculptures, illuminated pathways, live entertainment, food, drinks, and interactive experiences throughout the night. Discover the playful and imaginative world of internationally recognized artist Ken Kelleher, known as Anchorball, where bold characters, contemporary sculpture, nature, and augmented reality come together across the garden landscape. Guests can also uncover hidden digital Cloudwalkers and unlock an AR Masterpiece as part of the experience. Tickets are here. Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd., Burlington

On at Playhouse Cinema
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World, is presented with gritLIT. Celebrated poet and Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Oliver found inspiration in nature, spending nearly 50 years exploring the forests and ponds of Cape Cod. Though intensely private, her life was shaped by a deep love of the natural world and a lifelong search for connection. Her timeless poetry continues to resonate across generations, offering comfort and insight on attention, belonging, and our relationship with the environment. Featuring interviews with her close friends, including John Waters, never-before-seen personal photos, notebooks, and correspondence from her archive, and recitations of her work by Stephen Colbert, Lucy Dacus, Steve Buscemi, and Oprah Winfrey, this intimate documentary considers the poet's long lifetime of work in context, capturing the uniqueness of her world and the natural beauty that inspired her. Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1. Also playing: Crocodile Dundee on its 40th anniversary, Aug. 28 and Sept. 2. A complete movie and event calendar is here. Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

On at The Westdale
Join Sandy Shaw, MPP Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, for a free screening of Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance (2025), a Canadian-made documentary directed by Noam Gonick detailing the journey through Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ history. From milestones such as the We Demand Rally, the launch of The Body Politics, protest marches after the Operation Soap raids, as well as the rise of two-spirit identity among Indigenous LGBTQ people. Ticket are free. Sunday, Aug. 30, 1 p.m. Also on at The Westdale for its Summer of '86 series: Stand By Me, Aug. 30, Sept. 2. In Tony, A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life. Playing Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. Check out: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the winner of the Queer Palme at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026. It stars Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder and is directed by Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw the TV Glow). After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder, Hacks) for resurrection. But when she visits the original movie's star (Gillian Anderson, Sex Education, The X-Files), a now-reclusive actress shrouded in mystery, the two women fall into a blood-soaked world of desire, fear, and delirium. Sept. 4 to Sept. 10. Also playing: Nanny McPhee, Aug. 28, 29, 30 and Celebrate the Robin Williams classic Hook in honour of its 35th anniversary. When his young children are abducted by his old nemesis Captain Hook, (Dustin Hoffman) middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning (Robin Williams) must return to his magical origins as Peter Pan, the one person who can stop him. Sept. 5 to 7. And as part of the ongoing Candlight series presented by Fever comes The Best of Hans Zimmer, Sept. 5, Nov. 21 and Jan. 2, and Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, Sept. 5, Nov. 22, Dec. 12, and Feb. 27. See the complete calendar and ticket links here. The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

On at the Hamilton Prop House
This week's Live from the Bookcase performer is Sara Dishart & Filthy Rich on Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 p.m. and the Afternoon Tea on the Train is an Anne-inspired Journey to Avonlea, Sunday, Aug. 30, 3 p.m. Other HPH events: Drinks with Dobby - A HPH Cocktail Class, Friday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.; a 25th anniversary showing of The Philosopher's Stone, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.; Return to Hogwarts, a Harry Potter-inspired Afternoon Tea on the Train Tickets, Sunday, Sept. 13, 3 p.m. Information and tickets for all this and much more are here. Hamilton Prop House, 422 Barton St. E., Hamilton

AGH summer exhibitions
Open throughout 2026, Camille Turner: Hometown Queen is the first major retrospective of the Hamilton-born artist's nearly 30-year career, while Made in Hamilton: The Glen Faulman Collection showcases Hamilton-made goods and ephemera spanning the city's manufacturing history. Raised in Hamilton and now living internationally, Turner has developed a remarkable body of work in performance, installation, photography, video, and sculpture. Her practice powerfully addresses racial and social politics, offering a critical analysis of the enduring systems of oppression in Canada and abroad. The retrospective premieres Worthy, a new immersive multi-media installation. This work explores her father's childhood experience of growing up on the grounds of one of Jamaica's most prestigious businesses, which emerged from what was formerly a slave plantation. Worthy illuminates the enduring impact of slavery across geographies and generations, positioned through her father's vital voice in this living history. Turner's work confronts histories marked by erasure, deliberate burying, and systemic silencing, and yet she actively forges a hopeful path forward. She creates spaces of contemplation and imaginative possibility, inviting reflection on what might emerge—for herself, for her father and family, and for generations still to come. Made in Hamilton: The Glen Faulman Collection tells a story of Hamilton's history when industry was a spectacle, and civic identity was indelibly tied to a culture of making. Guest curated by Tor Lukasik-Foss, Made in Hamilton features the collection of third-generation Stelco worker Glen Faulman. Faulman has devoted over two decades to collecting a range of Hamilton-made goods and ephemera from all stages of its manufacturing history. This exhibition reflects on an era when Hamilton was home to many manufacturing industries and hosted expositions that drew enormous crowds throughout the first half of the 20th century. In 1913, Hamilton hosted a Great Industrial Exposition of Exclusively Made-In-Hamilton Products, a five-day event that demonstrated the city's reputation as "the foremost per capita producer of manufactured goods" in Canada. Made in Hamilton presents Faulman's remarkable collection in a way that evokes the spirit of the city's bygone industrial exhibitions. The exhibition will feature three rooms filled with hundreds of objects, archival materials, and even a 1951 Studebaker Champion automobile situated right in the middle of the exhibition. Special events include Made in Hamilton: Curator and Collector Talk, Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.; Camille Turner Artist Talk, Thursday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., Objects and Stories with Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (WAHC), Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. More information is here. Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. W., Hamilton

LIVE MUSIC

On at Mills Hardware and Bridgeworks
Record label and concert promoter Sonic Unyon presents at Mills Hardware: Beautiful Nothing Reunion, Aug. 29; Blue Moon Marquee, Sept. 9; Rick Maguire (Pile), Sept. 11; Bywater Call, Sept. 12; Green-House, Sept. 13; True Mountain Laurel, Sept. 16; Awake & Dreaming, Sept. 19; Roger Clark Miller (Mission of Burma) + Storey Littleton (Ida); Clever Hopes + Matthew Barber + Rebekah Hawker, Sept. 23; Tom Savage & The Millwrights, Sept. 24; JIMI, Sept. 25; Sami Landri's Sami Party, Oct. 4; Noah Malcolm + Alex Whorms + Emma Whale, Oct. 8, 8 p.m.; The Hip Experience, Oct. 9; PIG + Cyanotic, Oct. 15, 8 p.m.; Slow Leaves, Oct. 19; So Faint + Ada Lea, Oct. 22; Emma Whale + Ariana Fig + Maddie Corinne + Luiz Grante, Oct. 22; Jesse Roper, Oct. 31; Lazarettes + Ron Hawkins + FemBots, Nov. 5; Sam Polley and The Old Tomorrows, Nov. 20; Truck Violence, Nov. 26; Devin Cuddy Band, Nov. 27.

On at Bridgeworks: Ambition Pro Wrestling: Dream Chasers, Aug. 29, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; All-Ages Day Party, Sept. 5, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Jon Spencer, Sept. 11; Can You Feel My Heart – The Ultimate Bring Me the Horizon Dance Party, Sept. 18; Golden: A K-Pop Kids Party, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.; Almost Monday, Oct. 4; Begonia, Oct. 5; Joel Plaskett and Alexander Gallant, Oct. 24; An evening with Bob Ezrin & Dennis Dunaway, Oct. 29; The East Pointers, Nov. 6; Tommy Youngsteen: Crown Lands + Dreamland, Nov. 12; Alan Cross Presents Uncharted: Live in Hamilton, Nov. 13; Fleetwood Mac Rumours, Nov. 14; Too Many Zooz: Live in Canada (Mostly!) Tour, Nov. 15; Shit-Faced Shakespeare, Nov. 16; UK Calling, Nov. 20; Wannabe: A Spice Girls Tribute, Nov, 21, 8 p.m. Sonic Unyon is also presenting two shows at The Westdale: Daniel Lanois, Aug. 7 and The Story of Nirvana, Sept. 23. Tickets and information for all shows are here.

On at FirstOntario Concert Hall
Beetlejuice, Sept. 8, 9, 10, 7:30 p.m.; Jim Henson's Labyrinth In Concert, Sept. 13, 8 p.m.; Raffi, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.; (Studio) Sixx Paxx, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Not Dead Yet: John Cleese and the Holy Grail at 50, Oct. 4; Vengaboys & Prozzak, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.; (Studio) Highwaymen Show - Great Outlaws Tribute, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.; (Studio) Travelling Wilbury's Tribute, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Owen Riegling, Nov. 1; Amanda Marshall, Dec. 3. Jim Jefferies, Dec. 19. Tickets here. 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

On at TD Coliseum
Bryan Adams, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m., Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m., Sept. 13, 1:30 p.m.; aespa, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Jason Aldean, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Bring Me The Horizon, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Smashing Pumpkins, Oct. 7; Jimmy Carr, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.; John Summit, Oct. 24; Disney Descendants, Zombies & Camp Rock: Worlds Collide Concert Tour, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.; XG, Nov. 12; Il Volo World Tour, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. (only Canadian date announced so far); Wang Leehom, Dec. 9 (tickets on sale Sept. 2, 10 a.m.); Andrea Bocelli, Dec. 19, 8 p.m.; Hilary Duff, Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets here. 101 York Blvd., Hamilton

Hamilton Third Age Learning
Hamilton Third Age Learning (HTAL) presents its fall 2026 lecture series, designed specifically for older adults in Hamilton and the surrounding areas. This exciting series offers a unique opportunity for lifelong learners to explore a variety of fascinating topics. The series includes five 50-minute lectures followed by interactive discussions, providing both informative content and a chance to connect with others. Recorded sessions will be available to registered participants for up to two weeks. Join them every Wednesday at 10 a.m. from Sept. 23 to Oct. 21. Sept. 23 – Tracy Dallaire: Cyber Security in Everyday Life: Staying Safe in a Connected World; Sept. 30 – Shannon Kyles: What can we Learn From our Living Spaces?; Oct. 7 – Dr. Caroline Dunton: The United Nations Beyond 80 Years; Oct. 14 – Dr. Bruce Milliken: Truth, the Mind, and Misinformation; Oct. 21 – Stephen Adams: Remembering Their Faces: AI, Memory, and Making Museum Collections Searchable. Register here.

Maps & Memories
For the upcoming Hamilton Arts Week, a piece of downtown’s local history launches with a free opening party featuring live performances, snacks and ice cream for purchase. Maps & Memories, is a community-driven public art and audio installation at Willard’s Ice Cream: The Second Scoop. Hosted in the former Creamy Atlas space, Maps & Memories features stories and reflections by Daryl Bender, a long-time City of Hamilton employee and resident, passionate map enthusiast, and cherished neighbourhood storyteller whose love of geography, Hamilton’s history, and civic life has sparked countless conversations in this very location. The curated selection of maps from Bender’s personal collection, are paired with a short audio recording in which he shares his insights connected to the places depicted. The exhibition will be displayed for several months, with potential for extension. Willard’s Ice Cream: The Second Scoop, 10 Mulberry St., Hamilton

Summer in the city
Hamilton residents can stay active, cool and connected this summer with free programs and a range of recreation options across the city, including outdoor pools now open and supies now in parks. Drop-in activities will be offered throughout the season, offering accessible options for residents of all ages and abilities to participate close to home. Daily drop-in swims are available through Sept. 7, weather permitting. The following pools will be open: Ancaster Lions Outdoor Pool, Birge Outdoor Pool, Chedoke Outdoor Pool, Coronation Outdoor Pool, Green Acres Outdoor Pool, Inch Park Outdoor Pool, Parkdale Outdoor Pool, Rosedale Outdoor Pool, Victoria Park Outdoor Pool, and Walker Outdoor Pool.

Wading pools offer supervised water play for families with young children and will operate to Aug. 31. Dundas Driving Park wading pool will be open to Sept. 7. Locations include: Andy Warburton Wading Pool, Dundas Driving Park, Gage Park, JC Beemer Park, Jesse Patterson (Huntington Recreation Centre), and Powell Park. Children under five years old, and those six to nine years old who haven’t passed the swim test, must be accompanied by a guardian and kept within arm’s reach. Guardians must be at least 12 years old. For schedules, hours and locations, visit hamilton.ca/outdoorpools. Three-month recreation passes are available at hamilton.ca/recpasses.

Spray pads are free, unsupervised water play areas located in parks and playgrounds across Hamilton. They operate daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September. Visit hamilton.ca/spraypads to find a location.

Outdoor pickleball courts at Confederation Beach Park, located at Jennie Florence Parker Sports Complex, are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Courts can be reserved online up to 48 hours in advance.
Visit hamilton.ca/pickleball to learn more or book a court.

Get your golf on at King’s Forest Golf Club and Chedoke Golf Club – open for tee times and tournaments.
Visit hamilton.ca/golf for more information and to book.

Free fitness classes will run at parks across Hamilton until Aug. 28. Led by City recreation staff, these classes are open to all ages and fitness levels and support opportunities to stay active outdoors. Visit hamilton.ca/fitnessatthepark for schedules and locations.

RBG Fishway
Nature is amazing, but sometimes a splash of human intervention goes a long way to make the greater good even greater. Visit the Fishway at the RBG this summer to watch its ecologists at work, assisting migrating fish to their spawning grounds in Cootes Paradise Marsh. The 30-minute operation keeps the scientists busy, and running March to August, the demonstrations are a testament to the lively ecosystem that lives in our local waterways. Check out the website for full details and especially directions – if the fish need help getting there, you might, too. July and August, Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 2:30 p.m.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

HAPPENING IN SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND

The Royal Canadian Circus
Celebrating its 52nd anniversary, the Royal Canadian Circus is bringing its all-new 2026 production to Hamilton and Burlington. The all-new production features a dynamic blend of Mongolian acrobats, gravity-defying flying-trapeze artists, illusionists and comedic performers, combining classic circus artistry with modern theatrical elements. Enhanced by immersive sound design, dramatic lighting and stunning visuals, this big-top tent show creates an unforgettable live entertainment experience for all ages. Featured performances include the always popular motorcycle stunt team, elite unicycle performers and dynamic hula-hoop artistry. The animal-free production also offers a dynamic pre-show experience featuring a full range of concessions, face painting, photo opportunities and interactive elements for all ages. Tickets and information are here. Sept. 3 to Sept 7, Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line

Carnegie Gallery
Carnegie Gallery will host two exhibitions in September. Considering the Edge, a two-person, ceramic sculpture exhibition featuring the work of Dundas-based artist Barb Sachs and Jerseyville-based artist Gise Trauttmansdorff. Sachs has a background in painting, sculpture and film animation, with the last 35 years being devoted to clay as a primary working medium. Every piece that she makes is fired using the raku process. Hand-built animal forms have been a main focus, but with wilder, more stylized creatures, Sachs is able to play and let loose, pushing forms into new directions. Trauttmansdorff has a background in architecture, metal working, sculpture and farming. She has been working in mixed media and clay for over 35 years, which has been essential to maintaining her sense of self. She is happiest creating with her hands mainly out of the clay that she raku or smoke fires and combines with found objects. Abstractions, contrasts, light and shadow play a big part in her pieces. She aims to have each piece reveal the history of its process – evoking a sense of discovery. Considering the Edge is a dialogue between both artists’ individually realized pieces. The second exhibition is Andrea Vuletin Effervesce is a new body of work by Chatham-based ceramicist Andrea Vuletin, a full-time ceramic artist since 1997, primarily making decorative functional ware using wheel thrown porcelain. The botanical work that makes up Vuletin’s signature today took many years to develop. The forms grew from earlier lines that focused on the marriage of form and graphic surface decor and the desire to study and draw from nature. The resulting combination of these steppingstones, the Botanical line, is at once contemporary and nostalgic. The collection that makes up Effervesce has both hand-built and wheel-thrown components that convey different impressions. The thrown elements have a glossy surface over fine illustrations and curvy fluid forms. Together these may read as confident, joyful, relaxed and reverent. The pod forms are hand-built using impressed slabs and coil and pinch methods, and though they have tight forms, they swirl and collide into one another, generating a variety of implications. The pods themselves are abstract organic forms and can represent seeds, cells, beads, or stones that may represent containment, potential, meditation, worry or prayer. The compositions have randomness that can be read as accident or growth, employing balance, movement, and connection. Overall, this collection of work holds whispers of things the artist holds dear and the percolation of these concerns through the act of making. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. & Sunday 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibitions run Sept. 4 to 27, with an opening reception on Friday, Sept. 11, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Bach Elgar Choir auditions
Bach Elgar Choir is welcoming new voices for its upcoming season. If you live in the Greater Hamilton Area, have a musical background, and are passionate about choral singing, you’re invited to audition for the renowned concert choir. Bach Elgar performs choral masterpieces across a wide range of genres, bringing exceptional music to audiences at the highest artistic standard. If you love to sing, enjoy being part of a vibrant musical community, and are looking for an opportunity to challenge yourself and grow as a performer, you are invited to auditions on Sept. 7, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sept. 8, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sept. 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register for a timeslot here. Weekly rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Festitalia
Festitalia’s opening reception is a special evening celebrating Italian-Canadian heritage and the power of believing that dreams can become reality, featuring Hamilton's own Laura Fortino, one of Canada's most accomplished hockey players and a trailblazer in women's sport. Her appearance at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games was remarkable not simply because she competed in another Olympic Games, but because it represented a deeply personal full-circle journey. Laura’s presentation will trace this journey to becoming an Italian hockey player and how it changed her life. Highlights include sharing stories of the support of her Italian-Canadian family and the personal growth experienced on the Italian team. Tickets are here. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.,McMaster Innovation Park Atrium, 175 Longwood Rd. S., Hamilton

One of Festitalia’s most lively and fun events, the annual grape stomp returns for a nostalgic day of stomping of the grapes. Put together your team of 4 to 6 people and join by emailing info@festitalia.ca. Saturday, Sept. 12, Fortinos Mall Road, 65 Mall Rd., Hamilton, 10 a.m.; Fortinos Fiesta Mall, 2 p.m., 102 ON-8, Stoney Creek. This year’s author’s night features special guest author, Licia Canton, a Canadian writer residing in Quebec. Her short story collection Almond Wine and Fertility (2008; second edition 2018) was published in Italy as Vino alla mandoral e fertilita (2015). Her writing has been anthologized internationally. The night includes a wine and cheese reception. Tickets are here. Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m., Carmen’s C Hotel, 1530 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton

The Art of Giuseppe "Pippo" Agrò
The Hamilton Italian Centre, together with the Sicilian Cultural Society of Hamilton and the Fratellanza Racalmutese Club, will welcome the community for a rare cultural art exhibition celebrating the life and work of one of Hamilton's most influential artists, Giuseppe “Pippo” Agrò. This free public exhibition brings together dozens of paintings and sculptures from private family collections across Hamilton. For the first time since Agrò operated his gallery on James Street North, many of these works will be displayed together, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the breadth of an artistic legacy that helped shape Hamilton's cultural identity. Agrò's work is woven into the fabric of Hamilton. Best known for the magnificent frescoes inside Our Lady of All Souls Church, his paintings, murals and sculptures can also be found in churches, restaurants, community spaces, and private collections throughout the city. His work captured the landscapes of Sicily and the experiences of immigrants who built new lives while maintaining deep connections to their homeland. Admission is free and open to the public. Sept. 10 to 13 and Sept. 18 to 20, Hamilton Italian Centre, 420 Crerar Dr, Hamilton

Art Crawl
Art Crawl is a monthly party in downtown Hamilton. Held the second Friday of every month, galleries, studios, stores, restaurants, and bars stay open late to welcome thousands of visitors who fill James Street North and adjacent streets. Vendors and visitors start arriving early evening and pack the streets until late. This made-in-Hamilton event has evolved organically and everyone contributes to making it what it is, from the visitors to the artists to the local business owners. From May to October, a portion of James Street North is closed to cars between York Boulevard and Murray Street, creating a pedestrian only summer street party. Sept. 11 (Supercrawl), Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, about 5 p.m. until late, James Street North

HHS Foundation Breakthrough Bash
Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation’s (HHSF) second annual Breakthrough Bash returns on Friday, Sept. 11, bringing together more than 400 community members, local businesses and health care supporters for an evening of glitz and glamour in support of personalized medicine research at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS). Personalized medicine represents the future of health care, using an individual’s unique genetics, biology, lifestyle and environment to guide more precise prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Last year, Breakthrough Bash raised over $640,000 to advance cancer research. These funds have supported Breakthrough Awards for six HHS clinician-researchers to accelerate promising cancer studies and an international visiting fellowship in cancer research.
This year, guests will enjoy live entertainment, interactive experiences, a one-of-a-kind silent auction, exceptional food and an opportunity to connect with people and learn what is driving the future of health care in our region. The night will feature an exclusive culinary experience with Top Chef Canada winner Erica Kabelnik and Top Chef Canada finalist Josh Karbelnik, along with returning silent auction, available for public bidding now at this link. For more information, visit the event website here. Friday, Sept. 11, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Mount Hope

New season at Theatre Ancaster
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026-2027 season of Theatre Ancaster. Up next is the serene On Golden Pond, Sept. 11 to 20; next up is the massive Canadian hit Come From Away, Nov. 13 to 29; the holidays bring a live radio show style adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street, Dec. 11-13; the senior series brings the timeless Fiddler on the Roof, Jan. 15 to 17; the youth series continues with Peter Pan Jr., Jan. 29 to 31, and then the celebrated Les Misérables from the high school division, Feb. 19 to 28; the seniors are back with Knickers – A ‘Brief’ Comedy, March 5 to 14; the mainstage series concludes with Made In Canada, a concert of Canadian music, April 16 to May 2; and the youth series concludes with GLEE: The Concert, May 21-23. And don’t miss Theatre Ancaster Youth Series performing the whimsical Willy Wonka JR., July 24–26. Click here for Theatre Ancaster’s event schedule and ticket links. Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E., Ancaster

New prospective singer event
Sonus Voices is a low voice ensemble for tenors and basses (regardless of gender), made up of “professionals who sing” from across the Hamilton/Burlington area. This special evening lets guests experience a full rehearsal, meet the ensemble, and learn more about joining an inclusive group that champions Canadian music and performs in the Greater Hamilton Area. For more information, contact executive director Paul Hawkin at executivedirector@sonusvoices.ca or by phone at 905-541-5833. Artistic director Greg Rainville can also be contacted at greg@sonusvoices.ca. Click here for more information about Sonus Voices. Saturday, Sept. 12, 7 to 10 p.m., Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline St, Burlington

Artisan Market Dundas
Visit with 86 artists selling paintings, pottery, woodwork, jewellery, garden art, glass work, metal work, photography, fabric arts, and more. Free admission and free parking. Details are here. Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dundas Driving Park, Cross Street, Dundas

Hamilton Pagan Pride Day
Calling all witches, heathens and occultists, and the curious: Hamilton Pagan Pride Day returns this September for its 25th anniversary. Get your magic on with live rituals, workshops and more than 80 vendors and artisans, offering handmade crafts, ritual tools, jewelry, art, books, botanicals, and more. Learn from experienced practitioners on topics like divination, herbalism, energy work, mythology, and modern pagan practice. Food trucks and live entertainment will be there, too. Fifty per cent of silent auction proceeds will go to Hamilton FoodShare. Free admission, family friendly, and all are welcome. More details are here. Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Gage Park, Hamilton

Hamilton House at TIFF
Hamilton House at TIFF brings Hamilton’s screen industry to Toronto during one of the most important weeks on the international film calendar. Presented by the Hamilton Film Board, the event creates a meeting place for producers, filmmakers, crew, industry leaders, creative entrepreneurs, government representatives, investors, and invited guests from Hamilton, across Canada and around the world. Join in an afternoon of industry networking, conversation, and connection, with food and drinks, music, visual content and sponsor activations throughout the event. Hamilton House is an opportunity to introduce the international filmmaking community gathering in Toronto during TIFF to the people, businesses, infrastructure and creative talent helping drive Hamilton’s growing screen sector. The event is free but register here. Sept. 14, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Ballroom, 2nd floor, 145 John St., Toronto

Hope For Hunger Gala
Hamilton’s first annual Hope For Hunger Gala will be an evening dedicated to supporting our city’s most vulnerable community members. All funds raised will help provide meals and essential support to the poor and marginalized through De Mazenod Door Outreach. Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner, live music, and a silent auction in support of this important cause. De Mazenod Door serves the poor and marginalized two meals a day, 365 days a year. The funds raised through this event are essential to helping keep our Door open for those in need. Tickets are here. Thursday, Sept. 17, Liuna Station, 360 James St. N., Hamilton

Songs in the Round
Next up in Crown & Press's monthly Songs in the Round series is Hamilton folk, roots, and R&B singer-songwriter and guitarist Matty Simpson and indie-folk singer-songwriter Ariana Fig, also from Hamilton. Tickets here. Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., Crown & Press, 303 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton

Concession Street Friday night markets
The Concession Street BIA's Friday night markets return with live music on the sidewalk, local vendors, free children’s games and activities, dine-in and take-out specials from local restaurants. Entertainment locations: 417 Concession – Festival Café & Creamery; 526 Concession – Zoetic Theatre; 555 Concession – Cancer Assistance Program parking lot; 566 Concession – Hairway to Heaven; 576 Concession – Redstone Pizza; 593 Concession – Mountain Tire; 798 Concession – Pita Pit. There will be an open mic night and performances by Louise Concepcion, Natalie Marie, Trick Bag Trio, Melissa Marie Walker, DJ Turbo, Michael Maguire, and The Meadowlarks, There will be a free fun zone at The Urban Zoo, and Mountain Kidz Klub food drive. Bring your lawn chair, your family, and your fun-loving attitude. Next event is Friday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SalsaSoul Saturdays on the Waterfront
Dance your way down to the waterfront roller rink, and if you don’t know how to dance, you can learn! In addition to beginner lessons and social dancing every Tuesday throughout August (starting at 7 p.m.), SalsaSoul Productions will be hosting SalsaSoul Saturdays on the Waterfront. These events are free and there are also paid, ticketed event after-parties from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. on the same nights. According to its website, SalsaSoul Productions thrives on “promoting Latin dancing, showcasing local talent and building an active, healthier and happier lifestyle for our community.” Check in here closer to the event date for D.J. and afterparty details. Saturday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Pier 8, Waterfront Stage, 47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton

Movie night at RBG
The 6th annual Green Angels Movie Night is back, featuring Hoppers (2026). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., giving guests plenty of time to enjoy a live DJ dance party, lawn games, a family-friendly search and find with prizes, a caricature artist (additional fees apply), and exclusive evening access to RBG’s Anchorball, a Curious Art Journey exhibit. Plus, your ticket includes complimentary popcorn for the movie. And the best part? Every ticket makes a difference. All proceeds directly support RBG’s Green Angels Program, helping individuals and families facing financial barriers access enriching experiences and educational opportunities at RBG. Tickets are here. Saturday, Sept 19, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Movie begins when light levels accommodate, approximately 7:20 p.m., Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington

Pickleball With Purpose
Pickleball With Purpose is a one-day team pickleball tournament that raises funds to support the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton and Halton. The funds raised from the event help the thousands of local individuals and families dealing with the devastating effects of dementia-related illnesses. Teams of four (two women and two men) will compete in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles competitions within four divisions based on skill level totals (11+, 13+, 15+ and 17+). Register here. Saturday, Sept.19, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wentworth Sports Complex, 2100 Main St. W. Hamilton

6-Minute Memoirs
Come to hear stories of hope and heartbreak, reinvention and resilience, all told in six minutes or less. Featured storytellers are: Kanien'kehá:ka and Scottish storyteller Madeline Wilson Shaw, president and executive producer of Indian & Cowboy Creative Media; Governor General's Literary Award finalist and Canada Reads finalist Sheila Murray (Finding Edward); journalist and editor and sailor Julie Charles; award-winning photographer Debra Friedman, who has just completed her memoir, Second Coming: Sex, Love, Loss and Longing at 70; actor, singer, playwright and producer Tricia Williams; queer award-winning author (The Call is Coming From Inside the House) and Modern Love essayist Allyson McOuat; award-winning playwright, actor, songwriter/lyricist, and arts facilitator, Lisa Randall; Katie McClelland, owner of Hamilton’s De La Sol Yoga Studio, who shares her story of addiction and recovery; Hamilton-based artist, writer, human rights advocate, and founder and executive director of the Sex Workers’ Action Program Hamilton, Scarlett Gillespie; and retired nurse Terry Beninger. These events are hosted by writer and memoir coach Anne Bokma. Tickets are here. Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., The Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N., Hamilton

The Westdale: The Marvin Experience
Step into the soul, passion, and timeless music of Marvin Gaye with The Marvin Experience, a powerful live tribute celebrating one of the most iconic voices in music history. Featuring JUNO award winning vocalist Sean Jones backed by an electrifying eight-piece band, this immersive concert reimagines Marvin Gaye’s legendary catalogue with fresh, modern arrangements while honouring the spirit, emotion, and groove that made the music unforgettable. Enhanced by projected visuals, the show creates a rich sensory experience that brings new life to classics like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Let’s Get It On,” “Sexual Healing,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “What’s Going On,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” and many more. From smooth romantic ballads to socially conscious soul anthems and irresistible Motown grooves, The Marvin Experience is an evening of music, memory, and celebration for longtime fans and new generations alike. Jones first made waves as the lead vocalist of In Essence, known for early 2000s hits like “Friend Of Mine” and “You Will Never Find.” After the group’s split, Jones carved out a solo path blending classic soul with contemporary sound. In 2015, he launched Soul in the City, a highly successful live residency at Toronto’s Casa Loma, showcasing his band The Righteous Echo and emerging local talent. His latest album, Weekend Lover, is a return to his R&B roots—filled with nostalgic ’90s vibes and heartfelt songwriting. Tickets are here. Sept. 25, 8 p.m., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

Harry Manx in concert
Harry Manx – one of Canada’s most revered and distinctive musical voices brings his world-renowned live show back to the Playhouse Cinema, with special guests Australian soul-funk maestro & keyboard master Clayton Doley & prolific jazz, folk and world Canadian musician Kevin Breit! Manx is releasing a whole new album of material in August 2026 - Falling Upwards. Known for blending blues, folk, and Indian classical music, he is described as a “Mysticssippi” blues man and an “essential link” between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. He has created a unique sound that is hard to forget and deliciously addictive to listen to. Switching effortlessly between slide guitar, harmonica, banjo, and the remarkable Mohan veena — a 20-stringed instrument taught to him by Indian master Vishwa Mohan Bhatt — Manx creates performances that are immersive, transportive, and deeply human. Not only this unique blend of great music, but also an up close and personal (often humorous) live performance, from a man who has and is still travelling the world with his music. Like all Manx's shows, they sell out. Tickets are here. Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

Theatre Burlington’s new season
For the third year in a row, Theatre Burlington is proud to present an all-Canadian playbill for the 2026-27 season. The season kicks off with Icemen by Vern Thiessen. A wealthy businessman wakes up bound and gagged, kidnapped by two of his own employees. Amid the Depression, Joe and Rennie’s ice-harvesting livelihood is melting away due to the advent of refrigeration. This edge of your seat thriller explores the human cost of capitalism, and asks, when the wealthy exploit the working class, who are the real criminals? Sept. 25, to Oct. 10. Theatre Burlington’s annual family show is Sleeping Beauty by local playwright, the late Vic Hyde. This one-hour production includes music, dancing, comedy and lots of audience participation. It’s a modern twist on the classic fairy tale and the perfect way to introduce the young (and young at heart) to the magic of live theatre. Nov. 28 to Dec. 13. The winter show is How Could You Mrs. Dick by Douglas Rodger. This “whodunit” with a difference, explores the shocking details of a 1940’s true-crime story that happened in our own backyard. It’s the legendary “torso” murder in Hamilton, focusing on the unsolved case of Evelyn Dick, accused in the gruesome death of her husband. It’s a spellbinding story that’ll leave you with more questions than answers. Feb. 12 to 28, 2027. The season closes with Five Alarm by local playwright Kristen Da Silva. At a small-town chili cook-off, Ava tries to piece together her father’s missing Five Alarm Chili recipe, while at the same time piecing together the mysteries of her past. A bitter rivalry rears its head, while the possibility of romance, and a touch of nostalgia, all come to a boil in this charming comedy. April 16 to May 1, 2027. Theatre Burlington will also present Playtime, its annual 10-minute play festival. Come and enjoy several short plays written, directed and acted by local artists. May 29, 30, June 5, 6, 2027. For information about tickets or to become a season ticket subscriber, click here.

Canadian Condominium Institute conference 2026
This one-day conference of the Canadian Condominium Institute–Golden Horseshoe Chapter (CCI-GHC) attracts over 450 attendees made up of condominium corporations, unit owners, professionals and trades, and approximately 250 leaders, influencers and high-level decision-makers. If you live in a condo in the Golden Horseshoe area, this conference is for you. You’ll walk away with latest information on Smart infrastructure, project planning and financing, maintenance essentials, productivity strategies and hear from featured speaker John Di Nino, who was the condo board president at the time of the Vaughan condo shooting in 2022. Tickets for condo owners are $30 for a jam-packed day of education and trade show. Register here. Sept. 25, Hamilton Convention Centre, 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton

Open Streets 2026
Open Streets returns to transform King Street into a vibrant, car-free space for walking, biking, rolling, and community fun. Stretching from John Street to Gage Avenue, Open Streets is about enjoying the street itself! Discover open areas for recreation, spontaneity, and connection — the street is yours to play. Open Streets temporarily closes selected streets to vehicular traffic, transforming them into lively spaces where people can walk, bike, skate, and engage in various activities. It's a chance to experience our city in a whole new way, promoting active living, local businesses, and community connections. Open Streets Hamilton promotes physical activity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. By opening our streets to people of all ages and abilities, we create opportunities for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and a more vibrant city for everyone to enjoy. Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kinderfest
Kinderfest, presented by Arts for All, will be at Telling Tales, featuring Carousel Players with the Drama Garden, a multi-sensory theatrical experience for young minds located at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Each Drama Garden offers a series of vignettes including: Dragon on the Hill where audiences animate and dance with a large dragon puppet, to sing a lullaby for the dragon, and to then imagine what might happen next in the story; The Cardinal, where the audience helps a comedic human-sized bird to rebuild its broken nest; The Flower Garden, an interactive musical performance where audience members help to make music to encourage flowers to grow; and Junk Xylophone, a self-guided musical play for all ages. Oct. 4 & Oct. 5, 11:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3 p.m., Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Park

Kinderfest continues with the Carousel Players’ Where the Wild Things Are. Jump in and help Max transform his bedroom into an exotic jungle, then transport yourself to where the Wild Things are. After being crowned king of these magical creatures, Max must make a decision: stay and rule the Wild Things or return home. Based on the timeless children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, this interactive adventure is filled with guided play. Together, young ones and their adults can join the wild ride. Nov. 10, 10 a.m., Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, Black Box Theatre, 126 James St. S., Hamilton

Jazz Originals
Join host Karen Thornton for a mesmerizing evening of music celebrating the timeless songs of The Beatles. This show reimagines the Fab Four’s greatest hits with a jazz twist. Acclaimed pianist and 2026 JUNO nominee Nancy Walker joins forces with seasoned vocalist John Neudorf, whose explosive, blues-infused jazz and new album Here’s To Life are lighting up JazzFM. Completing the lineup is Robyn Black, a versatile vocal powerhouse with two decades of experience spanning major stage productions, Disney projects, and pop hits. Tickets are here. Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

Keynote address: Moral Courage for Messy Times
New York Times bestselling author and educator Irshad Manji will be coming to Mohawk College for a keynote address, Moral Courage for Messy Times: Fostering Unity, Not Uniformity. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to learn practical tools on how we can engage in thoughtful communication across differences, where diversity of views can be honoured without fear and anxiety that generate division. Amid all the noise of our culture, can we discuss urgent yet sensitive issues without becoming offended at every turn? Irshad Manji believes so. Better still, she teaches us how. You will leave with practical skills for turning different, even clashing, opinions into opportunities for personal and social health. Here's to hearing each other — and healing ourselves. Manji will also be moderating a conversation between a panel of local advocates who will discuss how any of us can influence what we can't control — whether at work, home, or beyond. Panelists include Frank Bergen, Chief of Police at Hamilton Police Service, Lyndon George, executive director at Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre, Angie Hill, restorative justice worker at Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Joel Tanner, CEO and creative director at SMPL Design Studio, and Medora Uppal, CEO of the YWCA Hamilton. This event is complimentary. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here. Oct. 13, panel discussion, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; keynote address 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Folk Canada Awards
The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards will take place at The Studio in Hamilton, on Wednesday, Oct. 14 during the annual Folk Canada Conference. The event will feature performances by a select number of nominated artists and special guests, and is open to all Folk Canada Conference attendees. Still to be announced are the Estelle Klein Award recipients, the Laureate for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award and Culture in Climate Award. Among 34 nominees in five categories is Hamilton’s The Barrel Boys, who are nominated for Performing Artist of the Year. Established in 1987 and now in its 39th year, the Folk Canada Conference (previously the Folk Music Ontario Conference and Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) has connected artists and presenters through showcasing, one-on-one meetings, networking, peer sessions, panels, mentorship, and other career development opportunities. The conference will take place Oct. 14-18 in Hamilton and welcomes attendees from across the country to the event. To learn more, visit the Folk Canada website and sign up for its newsletter.

gritLIT: Emily St. John Mandel
Emily St. John Mandel, the award-winning, bestselling author of Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility, returns with Exit Party, a breathtaking novel of doubles, shadow worlds, and fractured timelines as a man disappears from a glittering Los Angeles party, and a woman – a gunrunner, an art collector, an operative of the state – searches for answers. Los Angeles, 2031: The first spring after the collapse of the United States, peacekeeping troops withdraw from the city, the Jacaranda trees blossom, and the curfew is finally lifted. Ari Waker and her roommate pass the gauntlet of bomb-sniffing dogs, the shanty towns, and the Red Cross tents as they walk across Silverlake to a party. The mood is ecstatic inside the apartment, people drink and dance, a woman wears a silver dress, pleated like tinfoil. And then: A shift. A bewildered twin, an uncanny doppelganger stumbles through the crowd and out into the night, and Kareem, the party’s host, vanishes into thin air. As Ari Waker unravels the mystery of this inexplicable night, Emily St. John Mandel unfurls a story that takes us from a future America splintered by civil war to the seaside cliffs of Greece where weapons dealers hide in an elegant resort, and from the domed city of Paris to a colony on the moon. An unforgettable literary feat, Exit Party is a novel about the price of safety, the perils of the surveillance state, a requiem for a world not unlike our own, and a breathtaking story of resilience in the face of cataclysmic change. St. John Mandel is from British Columbia. She is the author of six previous novels, including Sea of Tranquility, The Glass Hotel, which was shortlisted for the Giller Prize, and Station Eleven, which was a finalist for a National Book Award and was included in the New York Times Best 100 Books of the 21st Century list. Her work has been translated into 37 languages and adapted for television. She lives in New York City and Los Angeles. Tickets are here. Sunday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m., The Playhouse Cinema, 177 Sherman Ave. N., Hamilton

The Westdale
The Westdale welcomes back The Invincible Czars to our stage and screen. One night only: experience a century-old cinematic masterpiece reborn! The Invincible Czars celebrate the 100th anniversary of the silent horror classic, Faust (1926), with an immersive live soundtrack tour across North America. Known for transforming classic films into high-energy experiences, The Invincible Czars are a cinematic "arts-rock" band who create modern, original soundtracks and perform them live alongside silent horror films. Five multi-instrumentalists will perform a genre-bending score live on stage using violin, electric guitar, woodwinds, and percussion, seamlessly blending the cinematic drama of John Williams with heavy metal riffs, smooth bossa nova, and haunting rock reinventions of Mussorgsky’s classical masterpieces! Audience members are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy a wild night of cinema and live music. Tickets are here. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

Riverboat Revisited – Good Brothers
The legendary Good Brothers – twins Bruce and Brian alongside younger brother Larry – are back on the road celebrating more than 50 years of Canadian country, folk, and bluegrass history. Known for rich sibling harmonies and fiery banjo playing, this iconic trio won eight consecutive JUNO Awards and earned inductions into multiple Halls of Fame. They frequently toured the world with their mentor, Gordon Lightfoot, and recently released their 2025 tribute single, “Now That You’re Gone.” This milestone tour brings their incredible journey full circle to where it all began. The Good Brothers played their historic first show on May 14, 1974, at Toronto’s legendary Riverboat Coffee House. Opened in Yorkville in 1964 by Bernie Fiedler, The Riverboat launched generations of Canadian music royalty and is immortalized today as an official cultural landmark. Tickets are here. Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

The Ruby Gala for Interval House
For 40 years, Interval House of Hamilton has been a place of safety, hope, and new beginnings for women and children experiencing violence. This milestone evening celebrates the people, partnerships, and community that have made this legacy possible—and the future we will build together. Enjoy an elegant evening featuring an exclusive cocktail reception with Jully Black for specific ticket levels, a gourmet dinner, inspiring stories of impact, a silent auction, and special surprises throughout the evening. There will be a live performance by Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black. Tickets are here. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Carmen’s Event Centre, 1520 Stone Church Rd. E., Hamilton

Hamilton Originals In Support of The Westdale
It will be an uplifting evening of iconic music as acclaimed singer-songwriter Jacob Moon and special guests revisit the songs of two legendary rock icons: Tom Petty and Don Henley. With his signature voice, masterful guitar work, and heartfelt storytelling, Moon will breathe new life into classic hits like “Free Fallin’,” “The Boys of Summer,” “American Girl,” and “The End of the Innocence.” Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these anthems for the first time, this is a unique celebration of timeless music you won’t want to miss. Every ticket supports Westdale’s One in a Million campaign. Tickets are here. Friday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

Ashley MacIsaac at The Westdale
An evening of Cape Breton Christmas charm awaits; an East Coast experience of Celtic toe-tapping entertainment guaranteed to have you smiling all night long! Accompanied by some of his most talented music friends, fiddler Ashley MacIsaac will be performing songs from his newly released Christmas album Christmas From The Atlantic with both modern and classic holiday songs for the whole audience to enjoy. Start your holidays off the right way with the Ashley MacIsaac experience! Get tickets here. Dec. 11, 8 p.m., The Westdale, 1014 King St. W., Hamilton

RECURRING EVENTS

Open mic night at Pub 36
Pub 36 on Hess hosts a weekly open mic welcoming acoustic performers, singer-songwriters, strings and spoken word, while keeping the relaxed feel of a neighbourhood pub night for listeners. There is no cover; performers register in person at 6:45 PM and bring the equipment they need for their set. More information is here. Mondays, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Pub 36 on Hess, 36 Hess St., S.

Craft and Brews
Barton Street’s Mosaic is part bar, part community hub, offering a weekly rotation of activities that have earned a permanent spot on the calendar of many a Hamiltonian. In addition to vinyl Fridays, live music, and trivia nights, Mosaic also offers a weekly Happy Hour Stitch Club, perfect for textile tinkerers who have a pile of fabric and a dream. Whether it’s embroidery, quilting, or just a bunch of socks that need to be made whole, bring your current project and get to work alongside fellow crafties while sharing tips, progress and perhaps a beverage, because being creative is thirsty work. First Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m., 431 Barton St. E.

gritLIT: Pages, Pens, and Pints
Whether you're starting a new book or working on a writing project, this is your chance to connect with fellow book lovers (without the small talk!) while ordering a drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available) from Mosaic Neighbourhood Bar, 431 Barton St. E. Every second Sunday.

Everybody Crew
Everybody Crew – one of Hamilton’s most inclusive communities – welcomes everybody to join their active meetups where the ensuing connection is just as critical as the fitness. At these thrice-weekly outings, runners, walkers and meanderers are invited to get moving and get talking, while revelling in a camaraderie that is difficult to find as grownups. To feel the air on your face while feeling connected to something bigger, check out their profile for all details, and be certain to read the space agreement to ensure a fit as perfect as that of your running shoes. Mondays, Wednesdays, Sundays, meet at Gage Park.

Stairy Tales
Hit pause on your podcasts and audio books and take in an evening of literature IRL. The Staircase Theatre’s monthly LitLive Reading Series features both established and emerging local writers and poets sharing their work aloud in short, 15-minute chapters. This communal storytelling experience, based around a specific theme each night, encourages reflection while creating a community experience out of a typically solitary venture. While every event is different, the bookish audiences are treated to the same epilogue every time — bedtime stories aren’t just for kids. More information here. First Sunday of the month, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 27 Dundurn St. N. 

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, Nanny & Bulls, 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.

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.

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.