What to do this Christmas weekend in Hamilton
Merry Christmas to one and all.
Here are some things to do over Christmas weekend in the Hamilton area:
Christmas lights
Go on a Christmas lights tour of Hamilton. It's fun, festive and, let's face it, during a pandemic we are all enjoy displays lovingly placed by neighbours and community.
Waterfront Festival of Lights on Pier 8, 57 Discovery Dr., are lit and run through into February.
Burlington Festival of Lights runs daily until Jan. 8 in Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington.
The Simcoe Christmas Panorama 2021 is back. Visit the displays and the River of Lights, 50 Bonnie Dr., Simcoe, from Dec. 4 to Jan. 2, 6 to 10 p.m. daily.
The Winter Wonders and Ride the RBG Express events run until Jan. 9 in Hendrie Park at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Head to rbg.ca to book your spot. Tickets go fast.
Road trip out to Niagara Falls for the 39th OPG Winter Festival of Lights boasting 101 nights of twinkling lights, on until Feb. 21, 2022. Enjoy displays, children's entertainment, festival maps to walking routes. Check out the displays or plan your visit at niagarafallstourism.com.
While you're in Niagara, why not drive-through a three-kilometre light trail, that's more than one million twinkling lights to be awed by. Safari Niagara is on from 5 to 10 p.m. select evenings until Jan. 9, 2021.
Outdoor skating
The city held back opening our outdoor ice facilities until this weekend because of the warm weather. Here's to cold noses and mugs of hot chocolate that go naturally with an outdoor skate.
Enjoy Hamilton's NHL-sized outdoor rink behind Williams Fresh Cafe, 47 Discovery Dr. The rink is open, weather permitting. Hours are Dec. 24 from 12 to 3 p.m., Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 26 to 30 from 12 to 5 p.m., and Jan. 1 from 12 to 10 p m. Skate rental is $10 and a sharpen is $7.50. Check for rink conditions at hamiltonwaterfront.com.
The outdoor ice at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond is temporarily closed.
Hamilton's city run outdoor rinks are scheduled to be open, weather permitting. There are four city rinks and 11 community rinks. City rinks are at Bernie Morelli - Serafini Family Outdoor Ice, 876 Cannon St. E., Dundas Driving Park, 71 Cross St., Dundas, and Waterdown Memorial Park, 200 Hamilton St., Waterdown and Freelton Community Park, 170 Freelton Rd., Freelton. COVID protocols will be in place. Find an up-to-date listing at hamilton.ca.
Counting birds
The annual Hamilton Christmas Bird Count takes place Boxing Day but you'll want to register now. To participate on Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit hamiltonnature.org or, contact Rob Porter at rob@inpictures.ca.
Winter hikes
Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Rd., Rockton, is open daily (except Christmas Day) to enjoy the conservation area for hikes on the trails or a stroll through the village. Cost is $15.50 per vehicle using your debit or credit card at the gate. westfieldheritage.ca
Other area conservation trails are open. Keep social distancing in mind and be sure to take a mask. conservationhamilton.ca
Trails are open at the Royal Botanical Gardens. rbg.ca
Toboganning
There are four permitted tobogganing hills in Hamilton. Chedoke Golf Course - Martin Course, Garth and Stonechurch Reservoir, King's Forest Golf Course, and Waterdown Memorial Park.
Niagara Falls fireworks
Beginning Dec. 26 and continuing each night through to Jan. 1, 2021 fireworks will return with spectacular displays over the Falls this holiday season, adding to other celebrations.
Support local restaurants
Restaurants have taken a huge hit throughout the pandemic. The best way to show your support for your favourite eateries is by ordering out when you can. If you're thinking of heading out to eat, be sure to call ahead as there are some spots that have closed due to COVID infections among staff, and other restaurants have pre-emptively chosen to close their dining rooms. Be kind and support each other.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included information about winter golf at Chedoke. The event has been cancelled due to COVID.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com