There’s a lot to look forward to in Hamilton this year.

Think new eateries, new hotels and a shiny new arena.

We’ve also got fresh takes on some favourite Hamilton festivals and events, new exhibits and experiences.

Here are a few dozen new reasons to put a visit to Hamilton on your 2025 bucket list.

Take a Bite Out of These New Restaurants

Hamilton’s hot culinary scene is getting even tastier in 2025 with these new eateries.

  • Bohemian Beirut: This new eatery brings the flavours of Lebanon to Dundas. With sister restaurants like Narenj Oakville and Maro’s Bistro, the restaurant is sure to be a hit.
  • CIAO Bella – Italian Kitchen & Bar: The delicious Italian menu at this new Italian eatery on Augusta Street downtown is matched by the gorgeous design and atmosphere.
  • El Grito Mexicano: Another new Mexican eatery has opened its doors on James Street North with a cheerful interior and satisfying menu.
  • Jamaican Patty Shack: This much-loved Food Truck and former Farmers’ Market lunch counter has a new bricks and mortar home in downtown Stoney Creek for its hot, flaky patties.
  • Craig’s Cookies: Baked cookies or cookie dough? No need to choose – you can order both at the new Locke Street location of this popular Canadian cookie shop serving popular flavours like Mars, Peanut Butter Cup, Mini Egg, Brownie, and Strawberry.
  • The Bloom Coffee: This new Concession Street cafe offers an extensive Middle Eastern breakfast and lunch menu along with coffees, smoothies, handmade juices and Shisha.
  • Das Shchnitzelhaus: Enjoy German and Austrian favourites in this newly reopened iconic schnitzel house location.
  • Selo Cafe: This cozy, pretty coffee shop in Hess Village is a perfect new coffee date spot.
  • Piccolo Hamilton: Bring your appetite to this Tuscan-style sandwich shop on King William Street, serving huge sandwiches on house-made Schiacciata bread.

Michelin Guide Restaurants

2025 is the perfect year to try Hamilton’s newly recognized MICHELIN Guide destination restaurants.

Quatrefoil Restaurant in historic Dundas has been sharing its fresh contemporary French menu with locals and visitors since 2010. It was awarded the Distinction of Recommended in the most recent MICHELIN Guide.

Berkeley North on downtown’s King William Street is the second Hamilton restaurant added to the most recent MICHELIN Guide. This California-inspired eatery was added to the Guide’s Bib Gourmand category, recognizing great food at good value.

Hamilton Arena

The newly transformed downtown Hamilton Arena is set to open in late 2025, with a bold vision to elevate the guest experience and establish Hamilton as a premier destination for entertainment in Southern Ontario.

Visitors can expect 18,000 seats, including Premium Floor suites, hot new restaurants open year-round and world-class artists.

Hamilton Convention Centre

2025 will also see downtown’s Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s undergo a refresh with improved amenities, meeting spaces and a modern design makeover.

Hamilton Children’s Museum


This much-loved, hands-on children’s museum is scheduled to reopen fall of 2025. Housed in an 1875 farmhouse in Gage Park, the museum is undergoing a renovation to increase programming space and improve accessibility. The new museum will feature a 1500 square foot whimsical new addition.

New Hotel: Holiday Inn Express


The brand-new Holiday Inn Express Hamilton is a much-welcome addition to the city’s accommodation scene. Highlights of this Vrancor Group property include an ideal location on Upper James Street, steps from restaurants and shopping, 105 guest rooms, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Theatre Aquarius’ National Centre for New Musicals


After an exciting inaugural year of incubating new musical productions, Theatre Aquarius’ National Centre for New Musicals continues to develop innovative new shows. Also, stay tuned for some new blockbuster announcements, coming soon.

New Landline-air canada service


Hamilton International Airport recently welcomed a passenger service in partnership with Landline and Air Canada, which offers easy connection from the airport to the airline’s global network via luxury motor coach service through Toronto Pearson with six non-stop round trips daily.

Filmed in Hamilton

Hamilton will have a starring role in a few high-profile movies and shows premiering in 2025.

New Art & Exhibits

  • The Art Gallery of Hamilton will welcome two high profile exhibits this February. Helen McNicoll: An Impressionist Journey will feature some of the famous Canadian artist’s most prominent works. Greg Staats: Runner Continuum is a solo exhibition ccentred on the Indigenous artists’ photography works.
  • Canada’s largest flying museum Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has launched a new can’t miss permanent exhibit called Marking Freedom Fly. Using the museum’s archival collection and new technology, the exhibit shares the inspiring stories of the Royal Canadian Air Force and home front during WWII with interactive avatars, an immersive dome and HD interactive camera.
  • A Shared Trail by Hamilton artist Brandon Vickerd will be the latest public art installation in the city’s east end Pipeline Trail. The project will see three separate sculpture-bench combinations with a bronze wild animal perched atop a functional bench.

New & Returning Events

Early 2025 welcomes brand new and returning events with a twist to the city.

Just Java
Jan 26

This new event promises to bring together Hamilton’s coffee community to showcase some of the region’s best coffee.

Hamilton Winterfest
Feb 1 – 17

This city-wide celebration of the season will bring concerts and crafts, drag and dancing, theatre, fashion and art installation to locations across Hamilton.

Alice in Bloomland
Feb 1 – March 30

Tumble down the rabbit hole into a botanical adventure at Royal Botanical Gardens, at this floral winter exhibit, inspired by the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Maple Syrup Season
Various Dates in March

This cherished annual event returns to Westfield Heritage Village for select dates in March with two demonstration sites, a modern sugar shack, and pancake meals.

Around the Bay
March 30

North America’s oldest foot race, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon, returns this March for another challenging run around Hamilton’s historic harbour, this year starting at LIUNA Station.

CONCACAF Champions Cup
February 5

Hamilton’s CPL soccer champions Forge FC will face C.F. Monterrey, from Liga Mexico, in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, at Tim Hortons Field.