Make your holiday visit to Hamilton merry and bright with our guide to festive events, gifts, food and good cheer. From twinkling lights and local markets to cozy cafes and live music, Hamilton is ready to help you celebrate this season.
Can’t Miss Holiday Events in Hamilton
Kick off the season with Hamilton’s favourite holiday events – from dazzling light displays and festive train rides to historic celebrations and winter traditions that make the city sparkle.
Holiday Exhibits
- Royal Botanical Gardens brings the holiday magic with Winter Wonders, Botanical Train, and RBG Express.
- Step back in time with Hamilton Civic Museums at events like Victorian Christmas, Winter Past Times, and Whitehern: A Christmas for the Ages.
- Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas in the Woods, complete with a horse-drawn wagon ride, sweet treats and a roaring fire.
- Experience the magic of the beloved CP Holiday Train when it rolls into Hamilton’s Gage Park.
- Dickens of a Christmas brings holiday magic to Downtown Dundas with carriage rides, hot cider, and love music.
- Looking for holiday lights and twinkling Christmas trees? Don’t miss the spectacular displays in Hamilton’s Gore Park and in shopping districts across the city.
Holiday Music & Shows
- Experience the magic of Disney’s Frozen the Broadway Musical live on stage at Theatre Aquarius.
- Sing your hearts out to holiday favourites with Choir Choir Choir: Un-Silent Night.
- Get cozy with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of ‘Tis the Season.
- Feel the festive spirit at Brott Music Festival holiday performance of The Musical Magic of Christmas.
- Enjoy a true Hamilton holiday classic at JR Digs Annual Acoustic Christmas Concert.
- Enjoy Canadian music icon Jann Arden as she brings her Christmas Tour to Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre.
- Embrace the holiday season and listen to all of your holiday favourites by the glow of candlelight with Candlelight Concerts at The Westdale
A Made-in-Hamilton Gift Guide
Give your loved ones a piece of Hamilton this holiday season with gifts that support local makers and businesses. Find handmade goods and local treasures at these neighbourhood shops and markets, share some local foodies favourites, or gift an experience at these top attractions.
- Treat foodies with a restaurant gift card and browse options on Hometown Hub by restaurant type and location.
- For the craft beer and wine lovers on your list, check out these Hamilton bottle shops: Red Church, Mrktbox and Durand Bar & Bottle Shop.
- Share the beauty of Hamilton’s outdoors with a membership to Royal Botanical Gardens or Hamilton Conservation Authority.
- Shop local gems like Studio 205, Pretty Grit, The Handmade House, Annie & Flora Market, Pure Home Couture Apothecary, and Citizen Kid.
- Enjoy free 2-hour holiday parking from November 24th to December 24th in Ancaster Village, Concession Street, Downtown Dundas, Downtown Hamilton, and International Village.
Filmed In Hamilton Holiday Movies
- Operation Nutcracker features a ‘nutty’ mix-up at the heart of this holiday romance filmed at Scottish Rite, Hess Village, Art Gallery of Hamilton and Downtown Dundas.
- Mistole & Matrimony stars a last minute Christmas eve wedding with locations like DSRT Company on Ottawa Street North and downtown’s Spice Factory.
- The Christmas Charade is a festive Chirstmas heist flick starring locations such as Liuna Station, The Dutch Mill and C Hotel by Carmens.
Festive Food & Drink Experiences in Hamilton
Say cheers to the season with delicious eats and drinks from Hamilton’s hot food scene. Celebrate the season with festive brunches, cozy cafes, and special dinners at these favourite holiday Hamilton restaurants.
- After a day spent gift holiday shopping, warm up with a cup of coffee or a festive latte at one of Hamilton’s top cafes.
- Satisfy the chocolate lovers on your list with the best sweets and treats in the city.
Ho Ho Holiday Markets
Shop, sip, and stroll through Hamilton holiday markets, the perfect way to find one-of-a-kind treasures and handmade gifts. Make your own holiday memories at these traditional Christmas markets and creative pop-ups.
- Stuffed! holiday market is one of the city’s coolest holiday shopping experiences with vendors, live DJ, and local food and drinks.
- Treat yourself to a craft brew or cider while shopping local at Fairweather Brewing, and West Avenue Cider holiday markets.
- Mom Market Hamilton pops up across the city through the holiday season.
- Craftadian, Handmade in Hamilton, and the Hess Village Winter Market, have you covered when it comes to everything handmade, from artwork to jewelry.