Make your holiday visit to Hamilton merry and bright with our guide to the best events, gifts, food and good cheer this holiday season.
Classic Holiday Events
Jingle all the way to these iconic Hamilton holiday events.
Holiday Exhibits
- Explore the magic of the Botanical Train display at Royal Botanical Gardens this holiday season. While you’re there, hop aboard the RBG Express.
- Step back in time and enjoy historic holiday traditions at Hamilton Civic Museums with events like Victorian Christmas, Christmas Evening Tours, Winter Past Times, and The McQuesten Family Christmas.
- Bundle up and head to Westfield Heritage Village to experience an old-fashioned Christmas in the Woods, complete with a horse-drawn wagon ride, treats and a roaring fire.
- Experience the magic of the beloved CP Holiday Train when it rolls into Hamilton’s Gage Park.
- Stroll through magical Downtown Dundas with horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cider, and music and experience Dickens of a Christmas
- Looking for holiday lights and twinkling Christmas trees? Take in some spectacular ones in downtown Hamilton's Gore Park and in shopping districts across the city.
Holiday Music & Shows
- Sing along to classic hits with Steve Strongman Band at their annual Holiday Show or experience a true Hamilton holiday classic at JR Digs Annual Acoustic Christmas Concert.
- Join the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for a festive afternoon bringing the holiday classic The Hockey Sweater to life.
- Celebrate the season with friends and family and experience Pollyanna the Musical at Theatre Aquarius.
- Embrace the festive spirit and enjoy a Brott Music Festival holiday performance of The Musical Magic of Christmas.
A Made-in-Hamilton Gift Guide
Give your loved ones a piece of Hamilton this holiday season.
- Give the gift of delicious eats with a restaurant gift card. Head to Hometown Hub to search by restaurant type and location.
- For the brew and wine lovers on your list, check out these Hamilton bottle shops: Red Church, Endless and Dundurn Market, Ottawa Market, and Durand Bar & Bottle Shop.
- Share Hamilton’s outdoor playground with a membership to Royal Botanical Gardens or Hamilton Conservation Authority.
- Pick up something pretty and unique at well-curated shops like: Studio 205, Pretty Grit, Ark Collective, The Handmade House, Annie & Flora Market, and Pure Home Couture Apothecary.
Filmed Here Holiday Movies
- A Not So Royal Christmas was filmed at iconic holiday locations throughout the city, including Dundurn Castle and Downtown Dundas.
- Flipping For Christmas, bringing two people together during a holiday renovation project, was shot at festive locations like Merry Farms and The Staircase Theatre.
- A single mom gets her holiday wish granted in Mom's Christmas Boyfriend, filmed at Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology and on King William Street outside of The French.
- Take A Chance At Christmas was shot at picture-perfect holiday destinations, including The Pale Blue Dot and Born & Raised.
Festive Food & Drink
Say cheers to the season with these festive food and drink experiences.
- Bring your friends together for some holiday cheer at spots like Radius with its Holiday Wonders Wine + Music or enjoy an unforgettable Christmas Lunch at Rapscallion.
- After a day spent gift shopping, warm up with a cup of joe in some of these top-rated coffee shops.
- Satisfy the chocolate lovers on your list with the best sweats and treats in the city.
Ho Ho Holiday Markets
Grab those one-of-a-king gifts at these Hamilton holiday markets.
- Stuffed! holiday market is one of the city’s coolest holiday shopping destinations with over fifty vendors, live DJ, and local food and drinks.
- Treat yourself to a pint and some holiday shopping as local breweries and cideries Fairweather Brewing, and West Avenue Cider host holiday markets.
- Mom Market Hamilton is hosting a special Holiday Cheers Market at Shed Brewery, so you can sip while you shop.
- Craftadian, Christmas in Ancaster Craft Show, Handmade in Hamilton, Countdown to Christmas, and the Triple C Farm Christmas Market, have you covered when it comes to everything locally handmade, from artwork, clothing, jewelry and pottery.