Hamilton is your destination for great family fun with some great festivals and events that are sure to please kids of all ages. Here’s a sample of what’s in store this Canada Day long weekend:
It’s Your Festival
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday in Gage Park – One of Hamilton’s favourite summer festivals takes over the beautiful Gage Park. Live music all weekend on four different stages including headliners David Wilcox, Sass Jordan, Jimmy Rankin Band and Julie Black. Enjoy midway rides, games, great food & drink and the historic Gage Park grounds. Click here for the complete live music schedule.
Oh Canada! Ribfest
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday – Memorial Park, Waterdown -The 3rd annual Oh Canada Ribfest guarantees a delicious experience. Ribbers from all across North America will slop on the sauce and feed hungry visitors with mouth-watering ribs all weekend long. The weekend event also features a live music stage (featuring headliners Brian Melo, Freedom Train and more), Fireworks on Sunday night and so much more. Click here for full details.
Tiger-Cats Home Opener
Friday at Ivor Wynne Stadium – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats kick off the 2012 CFL regular season at home against the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. While all games are special this season, this may hold up as one of the biggest games of the year – it is the final home opener at the historic Ivor Wynne Stadium. Click here to buy tickets.
Super Hero Weekend at Wild Waterworks
Friday & Saturday at Wild Waterworks - For the kid in all of us! If you have always dreamed of being a super hero, arrive at the park dressed as your favourite hero and receive $3.00 off regular admission at the gate! Time:11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Click here for full details.
Annex Unplugged: Christopher Charles, Kae Sun & Word Mason
Friday at the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Design Annex - An innovative series of live acoustic world music performances held in the intimate setting of the new AGHDesign Annex, located at 118 James Street North. Friday is the debut of the Design Annex space and the Annex unplugged series featuring performances from Christopher Charles, Kae Sun & Word Mason. Embark on a journey of musical storytelling with three performers each connected to Hamilton in his own way. Click here for full details.
Cherry Jubilee Festival
Sunday at Puddicombe Estate Farms & Winery - Come out to the farm for some great family time and experience the great agricultural atmosphere at Puddicombe! Life is a bowl of cherries, and on Sunday you can start to pick your own sweet cherries! Train rides, bakery, winery, café, farm animals and playground are also available for families to enjoy! Market prices apply. No reservations necessary. Please call for crop report before visiting. Click here for full details.
Canada Day Fireworks
Sunday at Bayfront & Pier 4 Parks - Fireworks at dusk. Food trucks will line the park from 6pm-11pm, featuring favourites Smoke’s Poutinerie, Sweetness Bakery, El Gastronomo Vagabundo, Dobro Jesti and many more. Local entertainers will perform throughout the parks starting at 7:00 p.m. leading up to the “big” show, the Canada Day fireworks, which start around 10:00 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from the north-west point of Bayfront Park requiring a section of the park to be closed on Sunday, July 1 starting at8:00 a.m., reopening on Tuesday, July 2 at 12:00 p.m. Visitors and residents are strongly encouraged to walk, bike or take the HSR shuttle bus to the event to minimize traffic as there is limited public parking available in the area. The shuttle bus service starts at the east side of John Street (just north of King Street) and ends in Pier 4 Park. Shuttle service begins at 6:00 p.m. Click here for more details.
Waterfalls!
Anytime – Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls, and you can experience what everyone is talking about with your own eyes. Surrounded by great hiking & cycling trails, these waterfalls line the Niagara Escarpment and show a side of Hamilton people are never expecting. Check out our interactive hiking guide here or get some help from the Hamilton Conservation Authority and the City of Waterfalls group.
Major Attractions Open on Holiday Monday
Some of Hamilton’s major attractions are open on Holiday Monday, including African Lion Safari, Royal Botanical Gardens, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Wild Waterworks and OLG Slots at Flamboro Downs.
