2024.25 Festivals and Community Events in Hamilton, Ancaster, Caledonia and Surrounding Area

October 4 – 13, 2024 | 9 am – 7 pm daily
2024 Mum Show
Gage Park Greenhouse, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/fall-garden-mum-show

The Fall Garden & Mum Show is Ontario’s largest Chrysanthemum show presented by City Horticulture staff. The show started in 1920 and a new theme each year has taken us through dramatic scenes of flowers, colours and displays with over 200 varieties of Chrysanthemums, and more than 100,000 blooms grown at Gage Park Greenhouse.

The show takes place indoors at the Gage Park Greenhouse. Over 20,000 square feet of display space houses the show and plenty of free parking.

October 26 – 27, 2024 | 10 am – 4 pm
Halloween Pumpkin Party
Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton
westfieldheritage.ca/event/halloween-pumpkin-party-241026

Visitors, young and old, are encouraged to wear their favourite Halloween costumes as they enjoy the sites and activities planned for the day. Enjoy traditional pumpkin and Halloween-themed games, try a scavenger hunt, check out carved pumpkins in the barn, and capture a family photo at one of the photo backdrops. There will also be cooking and baking demonstrations at a number of the historical homes, and each prepared recipe will contain pumpkin as an ingredient. Take a recipe home to try yourself! This event is intended for all ages, and there will be a couple of spooky options for those feeling a little more brave.

November 11, 2024
Remembrance Day
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope
www.warplane.com/events/upcoming/event-details.aspx?eventId=245

Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am – ARRIVE EARLY – Limited capacity.
Admission: Parking and admission are free all day. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum requests you to join the day of remembrance at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where we will be honouring those who served our country with a special indoor Remembrance Day service. Our service will also recognize the valiant men and women of today’s Canadian Forces who build upon the honoured, sacred legacy of our fallen heroes.

• The year’s guest speaker is TBA.
• The Museum offers limited seating with additional standing room, so it is best to arrive early. Weather permitting, the Lancaster will perform a fly by for the service at 11:02 am.
• The service can be watched on CHCH-TV, streaming at chch.com/live or YouTube.
• Donations of non-perishable food are also being accepted for the Hamilton Food Share.

Lest we forget.

November 13, 2024 @ 6:00 PM
Culture and Curds: Savour the States
Denninger’s, 284 King St E., Hamilton
https://denningers.com/collections/culture-curds/products/savour-the-states

Indulge in our exclusive cheese class featuring the best American craftsmanship: Artisan US cheeses paired with hand-selected California wines. Explore a variety of bold and nuanced flavours as we guide you through six expertly crafted cheeses, from rich and creamy to sharp and robust, paired perfectly with vibrant wines from the Golden State. Whether you’re a cheese enthusiast or a wine lover, this class offers a delicious journey into the heart of America, elevating your appreciation for cheese and wine. $50

November 16, 2024
Swing Out to Victory Dinner & Dance
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope
www.warplane.com/events/upcoming/event-details.aspx?eventId=246

Come join the merriment and frivolity at the annual Swing Out to Victory Dinner & Dance as the Toronto All-Star Big Band performs nostalgic tunes from the 1940s. Feel the spirit of that era as you dance among the vintage aircraft of the Canadian Warplane Heritage. Dressing in vintage fashions and Allied Forces uniforms of the 1940s is encouraged but not necessary.

Swing Dance Lessons – Prizes – Giveaways!
Donations of nonperishable food are also being accepted for the Hamilton Food Share.

Time: Doors open for dinner at 5:30 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm, Doors open for dance-only guests at 8:00 pm, and Band from 9:00 pm to 12:30 am.
Admission: Dinner & Dance ticket $85 SOLD OUT. Dance-only ticket is $40.

November 24 and 26, 2024 | 12 – 4 pm
Victorian Christmas
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Enjoy the beauty of a mid-19th-century family Christmas celebration at Dundurn Castle. See the historic home decorated in Victorian splendor with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers by The Garden Club of Hamilton. Bring your family and share a Hamilton holiday tradition.

November 30, 2024 | 11 am – 3 pm
Christmas Model Train Show
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton
https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/hamilton-museum-of-steam-technology-national-historic-site

Join the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology for a Christmas Model Train Show in the Woodshed. Volunteers will be running scale-model steam and electric trains decorated for the holidays. Visitors of all ages are invited to see various miniature train layouts and speak with club members. Please note that due to space restrictions, this is a smaller show than in previous years.

Visitors will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as room capacity permits.

November 30, 2024 | 7 – 9 pm
Christmas Evening Tours
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Enjoy a unique opportunity to see Dundurn Castle decorated for Christmas in the evening. Begin your experience with carol-singing in the front hall, followed by an extended tour of Sir Allan MacNab’s home and a chance to sample an assortment of traditional foods served in Dundurn’s historic kitchen.

December 1, 2024 | 11 am – 3 pm
Christmas Model Train Show
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton
https://hamiltoncivicmuseums.ca/hamilton-museum-of-steam-technology-national-historic-site

Join the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology for a Christmas Model Train Show in the Woodshed. Volunteers will be running scale-model steam and electric trains decorated for the holidays. Visitors of all ages are invited to see various miniature train layouts and speak with club members. Please note that due to space restrictions, this is a smaller show than in previous years.

Visitors will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as room capacity permits.

December 1, 3 – 8, 10, 12 – 15, 17 – 22, 24, 27 – 29, 31, 2024 | 12 – 4 pm
Victorian Christmas
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Enjoy the beauty of a mid-19th-century family Christmas celebration at Dundurn Castle. See the historic home decorated in Victorian splendour with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers by The Garden Club of Hamilton. Bring your family and share a Hamilton holiday tradition.

December 6 – 8, 13 – 15, 20 – 22, 2024 | 7 – 9 pm
Christmas Evening Tours
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Enjoy a unique opportunity to see Dundurn Castle decorated for Christmas in the evening. Begin your experience with carol-singing in the front hall, followed by an extended tour of Sir Allan MacNab’s home and a chance to sample an assortment of traditional foods served in Dundurn’s historic kitchen.

December 7, 2024 | 2 pm
65th Annual Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade
Along King Street, Stoney Creek
https://santaparadestoneycreek.com

The parade route begins at St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School at 127 Gray Road and travels west on King Street East to Battlefield Drive. The Stoney Creek Lions Club will be doing their annual food drive for the Stoney Creek Food Bank during the parade. The Lions will be coming along the route with shopping carts to collect non-perishable food items for our local food bank. Stoney Creek Santa Parade is presented by Heritage Green Community Trust, the City of Hamilton’s City Enrichment Fund and the Volunteer SC Parade Committee.

December 8, 2024 | 10 am – 12:30 pm
Elf Club: A Children’s Cooking Workshop
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Come to Dundurn Castle and join the Elf Club and help make cookies for the season. This fun children’s cooking workshop includes a boiled pudding demonstration and hands-on cookie making in the historic kitchen. Then you’ll tour the historic house and taste some plum pudding before packing up your cookies for home.

December 8 and 15, 2024 | 10 am – 4 pm
Christmas in the Woods
Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton
westfieldheritage.ca/event/christmas-in-the-woods-241208

Gather together with family and friends for a winter wonderland of fun for Westfield Heritage Village’s Christmas in the Woods. The Village will be decorated for the season with swags, greenery and old-fashioned decorations, and offers delightful activities inside and out. Christmas baking, carol singing, Father Christmas, and a model train diorama will delight visitors. Dress for the weather and enjoy the great outdoors with wagon rides, free popcorn, a scavenger hunt, and a lovely walk in the winter forest. Then warm up by the roaring fire, while enjoying some old-fashioned Christmas treats. The General Store and Gift Shop will be open, and the Ironwood will have delicious light refreshments available.

December 13, 20, 2024 | 7 – 9 pm
A Candlelit Christmas Evening Tour at Whitehern
Whitehern Historic House & Garden, 41 Jackson St. West, Hamilton
https://tourismhamilton.com/partner/whitehern-historic-house-garden

Enjoy the exceptional ambiance of evening lights as we explore how different generations of the McQuesten family celebrated Christmas. Visitors will be treated to light refreshments in The Stable and an opportunity to view the home with the joyous sounds of Christmas music and the warm glow of candlelight. The historic home is fully decorated including three Christmas trees, complete with period toys and beloved artifacts nestled underneath. The dining room table is beautifully set with the original china the family used for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

December 14, 2024 | 2 pm
Binbrook Santa Claus Parade
Binbrook Fairgrounds, 2600 Regional Road #56, Binbrook
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/binbrook-santa-claus-parade

Binbrook 6th annual Santa Claus Parade brings it through the heart of Binbrook. The parade will start at Royal Winter/Bin Haven and Binbrook Road and will end by turning onto the BAS track from Hwy 56. Bring your chairs, blankets, hot chocolates and smiling faces! We can’t wait to see you all there

December 20, 2024 | 7 – 9 pm
A Candlelit Christmas Evening Tour at Whitehern
Whitehern Historic House & Garden, 41 Jackson St. West, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/candlelit-christmas-evening-tour-whitehern-0

Enjoy the exceptional ambiance of evening lights as we explore how different generations of the McQuesten family celebrated Christmas. Visitors will be treated to light refreshments in The Stable and an opportunity to view the home with the joyous sounds of Christmas music and the warm glow of candlelight. The historic home is fully decorated including three Christmas trees, complete with period toys and beloved artifacts nestled underneath. The dining room table is beautifully set with the original china the family used for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

December 21 – 31, 2024 | Noon – 4 pm daily
Winter Break Drop-In Activity Centre: Sweetland!
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/winter-break-drop-activity-centre-sweetland-0

This winter break you can satisfy that sweet tooth at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology! Our free, drop-in activity centre is taking the shape of a giant candy-themed board game. Visitors can roll the sugar cube dice to explore a sweet, sweet world. Museum staff will provide demonstrations on candy and sugar science intermittently throughout the afternoon.

December 27, 2024 | 10 am – 4 pm
Museum @ the Market PA Day Pop-Up – Presented by Hamilton Children’s Museum
Hamilton Farmers’ Market, 35 York Blvd., Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/museum-market-pa-day-pop-presented-by-hamilton-childrens

The Hamilton Children’s Museum will be popping up at the Hamilton Farmer’s Market. Families are invited to build and play with the Big Blue Blocks designed to inspire children to create their own inventions, environments and activities.

December 31, 2024, 10:00am – 03:00pm
Hamilton Children’s Museum Pop-Up at Whitehern Historic House & Garden
Whitehern Historic House & Garden, 41 Jackson St. West, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/hamilton-childrens-museum-pop-whitehern-historic-house

Whitehern Historic House & Garden and Hamilton Children’s Museum invite family and friends to join us for a day of fun and celebration as we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome in the New Year 2025. On a guided tour of Whitehern visitors will be introduced to the McQuesten family who once lived in this beautiful home and enjoyed many family celebrations here. After your tour enjoy craft activities and a mini celebration saying a farewell to 2024 and a welcome to 2025.

To January 5, 2025
Whitehern: A Christmas for the Ages
Whitehern Historic House & Garden, 41 Jackson St. West, Hamilton
https://tourismhamilton.com/partner/whitehern-historic-house-garden

Enjoy this special time of year as we explore how different generations of the McQuesten family celebrated Christmas. Once a year, the family’s toys are gathered under a whimsically decorated tree. The table is beautifully set with the china the family used for Christmas and New Year’s. Come to Whitehern and experience the holidays as they were celebrated through the 1850s, 1870s and the 1930s.

Closed: Mondays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

January 2 – 5, 2025 | 12 – 4 pm
Victorian Christmas
Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/hamilton-civic-museums/dundurn-national-historic-site

Enjoy the beauty of a mid-19th-century family Christmas celebration at Dundurn Castle. See the historic home decorated in Victorian splendour with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers by The Garden Club of Hamilton. Bring your family and share a Hamilton holiday tradition.

January 2 – 5, 2025 | Noon – 4 pm daily
Winter Break Drop-In Activity Centre: Sweetland!
Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology National Historic Site, 900 Woodward Avenue, Hamilton
https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/events-calendar/winter-break-drop-activity-centre-sweetland-0

This winter break you can satisfy that sweet tooth at the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology! Our free, drop-in activity centre is taking the shape of a giant candy-themed board game. Visitors can roll the sugar cube dice to explore a sweet, sweet world. Museum staff will provide demonstrations on candy and sugar science intermittently throughout the afternoon.

February 1- 17,  2025
Hamilton Winterfest
Auchmar, Hamilton
https://www.hamiltonwinterfest.ca

Experience Winterfest safely – in-person and online! Hamilton Winterfest is a flurry of activities spanning February 2025, that is local, imaginative, and unique to Hamilton and its surrounding areas. More than 60 events across the city from pancake breakfasts to art exhibitions, and concerts to sporting events. Check out all that’s on offer from the Hamilton Public Library and our Civic Museums. Loads of FREE events.

February 2025
Frost Bites Festival
Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, 876 Cannon St. E.
https://hftco.ca/frost-bites

Now in its 9th year, Frost Bites is a one-week community-embedded festival with a smorgasbord of FREE activities and events for all ages.

From February 2025 enjoy storytelling in French and English, music workshops, ice skating traditional hide tanning, Anishinaabemowin language games, and more — culminating in a handmade lantern-led Procession of Light through the streets of Ward 3. There is so much to keep the whole family engaged for a week in February!

Frost Bites events are offered FREE to everyone with the festival developed in the community and for the community.

March 7 – 16, 2025 | ​​9 am – 5 pm
The Spring Tide Bulb Show
Gage Park Greenhouse, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/spring-tide-bulb-show

Hundreds of spring bulbs will be on display at the Gage Park Greenhouse. There will also be a vendor marketplace, café and flower shop. This annual event occurs in March and the themes change annually. This is a great way to spend time with family. Bring the family, participate in our scavenger hunt and enjoy the first sights, sounds, and smells of spring!

Free admission and parking. Donations to Hamilton Food Share are appreciated. Canned goods and monetary donations will be accepted.

March 23, 2025 | 9 am to 4 pm
HeritageCon 17
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope
www.ipmshamilton.ca/event-details/heritagecon-17

HeritageCon 17, Canada’s largest plastic model contest, returns to Hamilton with an extraordinary display of scale models, dioramas, and historical exhibits. Enthusiasts from all over gather to showcase their craftsmanship, from military vehicles to sci-fi creations. With vendor tables, raffles, and special guest speakers, it’s a must-attend event for hobbyists and history buffs.

March 30, 2025
Around the Bay Road Race
Downtown Hamilton
https://bayrace.com

Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race is the oldest on the continent, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon. Rich in tradition, it has been won by the best from around the world, including Boston Marathon winners and Olympic gold medallists. Become part of the continuing tradition by running this challenging course around Hamilton’s natural harbour!

May 2025 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Door Open Hamilton
Various Locations

Come and celebrate music in The Hammer. With theatres, churches, music schools, pubs, costume shops and a lab that researches the effect of music on the human psyche, Hamilton has it all. Many sites will have music, demonstrations and participant interaction. Enjoy Doors Open Hamilton Region — and explore over 50 sites, including four walking tours.

May 2025
Lucky Lion Night Market
Bayfront Park
luckylionnightmarket.ca

Bring your friends and family out for a culinary adventure when the Lucky Lion Night Market returns to Bayfront Park this spring. Celebrate Asian culture and sample culinary delights from diverse and talented vendors. While enjoying your food, stroll through the park and experience interactive lion dancers. It’s an experience you won’t forget!

May 18, 2025 | 9:30 pm
Victoria Day Fireworks
Dundas Driving Park, Dundas (Main entrance is at Cross Street)
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/victoria-day-fireworks

The Victoria Day Fireworks are back! Enjoy a free, family-friendly event at Dundas Driving Park. This prominent community event is proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise and generously supported by the City of Hamilton.

Admission: FREE! (We encourage cash donations at the gate to support the Rotary Club and its various community initiatives, e.g. local youth scholarships and food bank contributions).

Programming from 4 pm to dark:

• Music Fest & Kids Fest
• Artisan market
• Food trucks, coffee, snacks & glow sticks available for purchase before the fireworks

May 2025
Hamilton Black Film 2022 Festival
Various Locations

The Hamilton Black Film Festival (HBFF) is an annual festival that showcases cultural and traditional films of African/Caribbean, Native, Asian, and Middle Eastern filmmakers, and other films of ethnic inclusion. Hamilton Black Film Festival (HBFF) continues to uphold our commitment to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and social change. We continue to create opportunities for emerging black filmmakers, encouraging them to fearlessly tell their stories and shape the narrative of our shared humanity. Through the medium of film, they have shared stories that have made us laugh, cry, reflect, and question. We have shed light on the untold stories. This year we are fortunate to have films with good stories that highlight BIPOC’s journey across the globe: Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Itay, Martinique, the United Kingdom, and the USA.

May 2025
Hamilton Children’s Water Festival
Pier 4 Park, 64 Leander Dr, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/people-programs/outreach-education/water-outreach-education/childrens-water-festival

The Hamilton Children’s Water Festival is an opportunity to educate students about the importance of water conservation, protection, awareness, respect, science technology, history and health. Teachers can register to attend one of three festival days. Space is extremely limited and spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each activity is based on the Ontario Curriculum and is provided by our close community partners such as Green Venture, the Royal Botanical Gardens, the City of Hamilton, McMaster University and many more!

The ultimate goal is to foster decision-makers, initiate the process of behavioural change, empower children to initiate change within their homes, schools and communities, and to encourage children to become catalysts for change by taking information and newfound respect back to their environment.

June 2025
Hamilton Arts Week
Various Hamilton Locations
www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca/artsweek

This week-long event celebrates the city’s vibrant arts scene with exhibitions, performances, workshops, and special events at various venues across Hamilton. It’s a great opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the local arts community.

July 1, 2025
Canada Day
Bayfront Park, Hamilton
www.hamilton.ca/things-do/festivals-events/hamilton-canada-day-bayfront-park

Prepare for a day packed with delightful children’s recreation and art activities that will spark their creativity and keep them entertained. Fireworks display and when the sun sets, make sure you stick around for the grand finale! At 10 pm, prepare to be dazzled by a spectacular custom fireworks display that will light up the night sky in a brilliant celebration of our great nation.

August 2025 |12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Fairies in the Forest
Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton

Enjoy another magical fairy event for every age at Westfield Heritage Village. Discover the unique world of the fairies’ tiny lives as you explore the buildings and forests. Let your imagination soar with miniature dioramas of the 1800s including log houses, Victorian shops and little homes, and features in the woods.

Shop at the General Store and Gift Shop, and don’t miss the special Fairy Shoppe. A selection of historical buildings will be open with our volunteers dressed in period clothing, providing historical demonstrations and activities. Remember to stop in at the Fairy Craft Center to make your winged creature. Hike the trails and enjoy the unique natural features. This is a great time to meet with family and friends for a delightful day.

September – October 2025
Art Gallery of Hamilton unless otherwise noted
AGH art+music+food Festival 2025
www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/aghfest

The AGH art+music+food Festival is a month-long celebration of sensory experiences featuring celebrity chef, author, recording artist, TV host, and artist Roger Mooking. This vibrant Festival brings to Hamilton a variety of multimedia visual art, storytelling, film, music, and workshops. The exhibition tying all these elements together, Roger Mooking: SoundBites, is a multi-disciplinary collection of work by Roger Mooking, celebrating chaos in an attention deficit world.

September 2025
Supercrawl
James St. North, Hamilton
https://supercrawl.ca

This annual festival celebrates arts and culture with live music performances, art installations, food vendors, and activities for all ages. It takes place in downtown Hamilton and attracts thousands of visitors.

September 2025
Vintage Wheels & Wings
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Admission: Adults $16 (Age 18+), Kids $12 (Ages 6-17). Free admission for museum members and children 5 & under. Complimentary passes are not valid for this special event.

VEHICLE PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! To display a vehicle, the cost is $10 – includes one vintage vehicle, driver and three passengers.

Drop by to view the beautiful collection of vintage cars and aircraft. Pre-registered car owners can have our photographers take pictures of their car in front of a vintage aircraft for a minimum cash donation of $5 to the Museum. Consider a VINTAGE vehicle to be one that was manufactured 20 years ago or more (so 2004 or older). As this is an outdoor event, some car owners may elect to leave early if inclement weather is expected.