Hamilton’s got at least a dozen things to do this weekend
Hamilton is full of things to do this weekend as we head into December.
There will be a bit of sun but mostly cloudy skies, with rain or possible flurries throughout the weekend. You can count on it being chilly though. Daytime temperatures are expected to be between 0 to 3 C, according to Environment Canada.
Here are a dozen or so things to do in the Hamilton area.
CITY OF HAMILTON
The annual lighting of the Christmas Tree of Hope in Gore Park is Friday at 6:15 p.m. with both virtual and in-person viewing options. Little Peter and the Elegants will be live on stage in Gore Park at 5:30 p.m.
A livestream of the event will be available from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on Cable 14's website as well as through 900 CHML's social media channels.
Gore Park Ferris Wheel rides are back. Free rides will be available noon to 8 p.m. daily Dec. 4 to 23.
WINTER GARDEN
Focus on some local colour at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden. Together with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Dundas' butterfly garden is holding a Winter Photo Contest from now until Feb. 28, 2022. For contest details, visit urquhartbutterfly.com.
HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
Tour five homes decorated in Christmas style as part of the St. James Holiday House Tour in Dundas on Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25. stjamesdundas.ca
- St. James Church, 137 Melville St., Dundas, Dickens' Lane Juried Artisan Show is also on Saturday. Doors open at 11 a.m.
SCREENING
Festa, a feature-length ethnographic documentary from Hamiltonian director/producer Terrance Odette, is screening at The Playhouse on Saturday, 4:45 p.m.
- It's a Wonderful Life is showing at The Playhouse Theatre on Dec. 12, 1 p.m. All you need is to bring a donation for Hamilton Food Share, but you must register early for your spot. playhousecinema.ca
SOCCER FANS
On the eve of the Can PL (see game day below) final Barton Street Battalion is hosting a shindig at the Endzone Bar and Grill, 1305 Main St. E., on Saturday, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Special One Soccer panel with Adam Jenkins, Oli Platt, Kristian Jack and Gareth Wheeler.
THEATRE
Theatre Aquarius presents Home For The Holidays until Dec. 18. Celebrate the season with a holiday concert for the whole family featuring a homegrown, all-star lineup of Hamilton's most beloved actor-musicians. Home For The Holidays is a rousing kitchen party that captures the joy of reuniting with old friends. theatreaquarius.org
PERFORM
Chantal Kreviazuk celebrates Christmas with a live solo show in Burlington. Christmas is a Way of Life, My Dear is Sunday, 7 p.m. in the main theatre at Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St. Tickets are $69.50. burlingtonpac.ca
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
Bach Elgar Choir performances of Handel's Messiah are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in Central Presbyterian, 165 Charlton Ave. W. Tickets are limited. bachelgar.ca
CAROLS
It's a holiday carol sing on Saturday in Burlington's downtown at Elizabeth Street and the waterfront trail. Seniors from The Williamsburg Retirement Residences' Singing Group, along with the Myriad Ensemble Choir, are singing from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate.
SANTA IN GRIMSBY
Grimsby's 64th Santa Claus Parade returns to its traditional format Saturday, 5:15 p.m.
MORE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS
The Spectator's Leonard Turnevicius wrote about the many Christmas concerts happening in the Hamilton area. Included were Hamilton Children's Choir A Path to Hope" with two one-hour performances on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. and 7:30. Tickets at hccwinter21.eventbrite.ca. Also, Jordan Travis's 60-voice male chorus, Harbourtown Sound, and his 50-voice female A Cappella Showcase perform in Burlington on Dec. 4 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit harbourtownsound.ca or acappellashowcase.org, or call 416-771-4636 or 416-271-1053. And, in Ancaster on Saturday at 7 p.m., Jeffrey Pollock debuts as Sinfonia Ancaster's new music director with Classics & Carols. Tickets at eventbrite.ca.
GAME DAY
National Lacrosse League is back in the Hammer with Rock City settling from Toronto into their new home at FirstOntario Centre. Rock lacrosse kicks into gear on Saturday with the first of its Saturday night home games. Albany is in Hamilton for the challenge. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.ca.
Forge FC goes for the CPL three-peat at Tim Hortons Field Sunday, 4:30 p.m. Tickets through ticketmaster.ca.
Hamilton Bulldogs take on the Erie Otters at home on Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets to the game at FirstOntario Centre are available at ticketmaster.ca.
It's a nail-biter for #HamOnt fans this Sunday, 12:30 p.m., at BMO Field in Toronto for the 2021 CFL Eastern Final with the Argos. Winner goes to the 108th Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field on Dec. 12.
Grey Cup Festival events start Dec. 7 when the Cup arrives at Bayfront Park between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Find the weeklong schedule of events at greycupfestival.ca.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com