Hamilton is a city built on music – and in 2026, that story will hit a high note.
From the grand reopening of TD Coliseum to the return of the JUNO Awards and many beloved homegrown festivals alongside a year-long exhibit celebrating Hamilton’s music scene, the year ahead will seal Hamilton’s reputation as one of Canada’s most dynamic music cites.
“It’s going to be an unforgettable year for music in Hamilton,” says City of Hamilton’s Lisa Abbott, Director, Tourism and Culture Division. “We’re celebrating these milestones to create a legacy as a city of music that lasts long after 2026.”
To help you get excited for this incredible year of music, we’ve rounded up ten things music lovers can look forward to experiencing in the city in the year ahead.
“Hamilton isn’t just a stopover – it’s a launchpad,” says Sherry Sinclaire, of Hamilton’s Music Advisory Team. “Visitors might expect steel and git, but you’ll find soul, innovation, and a community that’s as bold as it is collaborative.”
1. TD Coliseum Reopens with Global Icons
After a $300-million transformation, the new TD Coliseum reopens Nov. 21 with Sir Paul McCartney, followed by Andrea Bocelli, Jonas Brothers, Cardi B, and more. With new concourses, lounges, and state-of-the-art production, the venue puts Hamilton on the map as a world-class live music destination. Prepare for a year of incredible live music.
2. The 2026 JUNO Awards Return to Hamilton
Canada’s Biggest Night in Music returns to Hamilton March 26-29. The 55th Annual JUNO Awards will mark the first time in 10 years that the national music awards are coming to Hamilton and the seventh time overall. The JUNOS, organized by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), begins with JUNO Week – jam-packed with events, including live music showcases, songwriter’s circle, comedy shows, and community events. It culminates in the national awards that will be broadcast live Canada-wide on CBC TV and CBC Gem from TD Coliseum, and globally on CBC Music’s YouTube. Fun fact: Hamilton has hosted The JUNOs more than any other city outside Toronto.
3. Folk Music Canada Conference Comes to Town
In October 2026, Hamilton will host the 40th Annual Folk Music Canada Conference – the country’s largest gathering for folk, roots, and traditional music. Expert showcases, mentorship sessions, and the Ontario Folk Music Awards. And for some bonus fu, you’ll be able to come back in 2027 when the conference returns to Hamilton once again.
4. Punching In: Exploring Hamilton’s Music Story
Punching In: The Work Behind Hamilton’s Music celebrates Hamilton’s vibrant music scene and the people who make it possible. Curated by Hamilton Civic Museum with the local music community, the exhibit will feature nostalgic gig posters, iconic photos, recording equipment, and the unique memorabilia, all set to a custom Hamilton soundtrack. Events and workshops throughout 2026 will further explore the city’s creative rhythm. It will only be on display in Visitor Experience Centre (28 James St. N.) starting late January and runs all year.
5. Theatre Aquarius Takes the Stage
Hamilton’s professional theatre house continues to add to its credentials as a hub for musical theatre in Canada. Theatre Aquarius has debuted original musicals by country music star Johnny Reid in Maggie, as well as Beautiful Scars, by Hamilton’s own musical bright light Tom Wilson. That will become a hat trick when It’s a Good Life if You Don’t Weaken, a new musical featuring the music of Tragically Hip, has its world premiere in Hamilton in April. Theatre Aquarius has built on that success with the creation of the National Centre for New Musicals and will host the inaugural National Musical Theatre Summit in January 2026.
6. Iconic Music Institutions Lead the Way
Hamilton is home to foundational music institutions, including the iconic, 140-year-old Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Choir, the 120-year-old Bach Elgar Choir, the Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band, and many more community orchestras, concert bands, and vocal ensembles. The Hamilton Music Collective, Tune in Foundation, and the hArt Music Series give access to music opportunities to young and diverse artists.
7. Homegrown Festivals Hit the High Notes
Music is the heart and soul of made-in-Hamilton festivals, including: the massively popular three-day Supercrawl on James Street North that has featured well over 700 musical performers since it began in 2009; Festival of Friends, which will celebrate 50 years in 2026; It’s Your Festival, the city’s annual Canada Day party; and the Brott Music Festival, founded in 1988 by the late, great conductor Boris Brott, now Canada’s largest orchestral music festival. Also don’t miss AGH art+music+food Festival, a 21-day arts collision happening in November.
8. Halls, Studios & New Venues Turn Up the Volume
Hamilton’s music industry is built on the backbone of great places to hear and record music. Adding to the well-regarded acoustics of FirstOntario Concert Hall, the renovation of The Music Hall will create a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat venue in a historic downtown church. Magnolia Hall will also host music events in a reimagined church. The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, in a repurposed school, is now a thriving hub of music performance. Mohawk College’s McIntyre Performing Arts Centre and McMaster University’s L.R. Wilson Hall bring music to our campuses. On the studio and rehearsal side, the iconic Grant Avenue Studio turns 50 in 2026, producing great music alongside Catherine North, Halo, Threshold, Boxcar. Main Stage Rehearsal Studios provides crucial practice and performance space for local and touring musicians.
8. Halls, Studios & New Venues Turn Up the Volume
Hamilton's music industry is built on the backbone of great places to hear and record music. Adding to the well-regarded acoustics of FirstOntario Concert Hall, the renovation of The Music Hall will create a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat venue in a historic downtown church. Magnolia Hall will also host music events in a reimagined church. The Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, in a repurposed school, is now a thriving hub of music performance. Mohawk College's McIntyre Performing Arts Centre and McMaster University's L.R. Wilson Hall bring music to our campuses. On the studio and rehearsal side, the iconic Grant Avenue Studio turns 50 in 2026, producing great music alongside Catherine North, Halo, Threshold, Boxcar. Main Stage Rehearsal Studios provides crucial practice and performance space for local and touring musicians.
9. Repurposed & Revitalized Spaces Keep the Sound Alive
Music fills every corner of the city with plenty of renewed Hamilton places to get your musical fix: Bridgeworks and Mills Hardware, both once industrial spaces; The Mule Spinner in a former stable at the historic Cotton Factory; The Gasworks, The Staircase, and The Westdale all host live music in buildings that have found new life. Add to that Crown & Press in a former Woolworths, Henry's on James in a historic bank, and The Powerhouse, which once powered trains. And then there are the pubs that have been musical all along: the iconic Corktown Pub, the reborn Cat & Fiddle, and Stonewalls.
Growing the Local Scene
This year of music will feature multiple opportunities for career growth and development among professional and non-professional musicians and music presenters, both veteran and emerging. Hamilton's music industry is the sixth-largest cluster of music businesses in Canada, employing close to 8,000 workers and supporting 550 businesses. Attracting, developing, and retaining talent is a key priority of the City of Hamilton, working in collaboration with the Hamilton Music Advisory Team (HMAT), a collective of industry professionals.
A version of this article originally appeared in HAMILTON CITY Magazine