Things to do around Hamilton and what’s closed over the Victoria Day long weekend.
Your Victoria Day long weekend is finally here whether the weather is ready or not.
It's looking like the summer heat on Friday and Saturday will roll back to about 20 degrees on Sunday and Monday once showers move through the area. You'll want a rain jacket or umbrella just in case but be sure to take some sunscreen on Monday.
Here are some things to do and what's open and closed over the long weekend.
The great outdoors
Get outside and play. Here are a few area hiking spots, tours or walks happening this weekend.
- Beginners and experts alike will want to join James Lees, Hamilton Conservation Authority resident bird expert, on a guided hike in search of birds and other wildlife in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. On this slow paced three hour hike you are sure to learn about bird identification, bird songs, behaviour and all about where the birds are coming from and where they are going. Registration is required for this weekend's hike on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost is $25 for nonmembers. conservationhamilton.ca/birdhikes
- Hamilton conservation areas and trails are open, as are provincial parks and overnight camping. If you're looking for some waterfall action reservations are required at Dundas Peak/Tew Falls and Webster Falls.
Lilac dell
Immerse yourself with the sweet scent of lilacs. The Lilac collection is in full bloom at The Royal Botanical Gardens. Featuring over 1,000 individual lilacs representing several hundred cultivars, RBG's collection is one of the most diverse lilac collections on the planet. The Arboretum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Timed-ticket registration is required for parking at the Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd., Hamilton. Cost is $30 per vehicle, or free for members. Members do require a reservation. Parking at the Arboretum does not include admission to regular garden entrance. rbg.ca
- Free tours offered daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Meet at the start of the Lilac Walk.
Art show
The Royal Botanical Gardens is hosting the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour: Renewal Art Show until June 12 at the RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W. It's included in your general admission, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with last admission at 7.
Live concert
See violinists Michael Schulte and Jonathan Crow, Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, up close in violin duos - the ultimate musical conversation at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. W. on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at chambermusichamilton.com
Sounds of Concession Street
Sidewalk Sounds returns to Concession Street Saturday. Hamilton artists, musicians and dancers will perform two-hour shows at four locations along the street, starting at 11 a.m. and wrapping up at 4 p.m.
Bread and cheese festivities
Bread and Cheese Day is back for 2022. Held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre, 1738 Fourth Line, Ohsweken. Fireworks are set for around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday night. And the Tom Longboat 1-mile race is at 11 a.m. Monday and the parade is expected to follow the race at 11:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to wear a mask in the Bread & Cheese line and if you aren't feeling well, please don't attend.
Indigenous Market
Hamilton Public Library, Central Branch in Hamilton's downtown is hosting an Indigenous Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This weekend's featured vendors include: Beads in the Trap, Ojistoh Publishing, and Sheri Berry Designs. hpl.ca
Fish migration
Celebrate World Fish Migration Day on Saturday. Walk along Hamilton's Waterfront Trail to RBG's Fishway. Watch RBG ecologists at work as they assist migrating fish to their spawning grounds in Cootes Paradise Marsh. The Fishway is designed to keep invasive Common Carp out of the marsh, but allow water and native fish to move between the two bodies of water. Good times to go are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Parking is available at Princess Point or Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Park off Bay Street. You will need to walk to the Fishway.
Family fun
Burlington Family Fun is hosting a morning of activity in La Salle Park, Area 2, geared to families on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Activities include face-painting, crafts, cookies and of course, coffee. Tickets start at $5 on eventbrite.ca.
Drive in movies
Nothing screams summer fun like an evening at the drive in. Take a spin to Hamilton's Starlite Drive In this weekend. Just note they are closed on Monday. The box office opens at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On the bill this weekend are: On screen 1: the Bad Guys" at 9 p.m., Sonic the Hedghog 2" at 10:50 p.m., and The Lost City" at 12:55 a.m. On screen 2: Multiverse of Madness" at 9:10 p.m., Uncharted" at 11:25 p.m., and Morbius" at 1:30 a.m. On screen 3: Firestarter" at 9:20 p.m., Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" at 11:05 p.m., and The Northman" at 12:55 a.m. Visit premiertheatres.ca/starlite for ticket information and more.
Fireworks
The Hamilton Fire Department is reminding residents to set off and dispose of fireworks safely to minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries.
Family fireworks can only be discharged on private property between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day (or in case of inclement weather - during the same period on the day immediately following each holiday), in accordance with the Fireworks bylaw. Setting off fireworks on public or City property such as roadways or in parks is not permitted and may be subject to a fine.
- Fireworks cancelled at Dundas Driving Park for 2022. The city and Rotary Club announced the annual Victoria Day Celebration and Fireworks in the park is cancelled but hopes to return in 2023.
Here are some places to go see fireworks this weekend.
- Mark the Victoria Day long weekend by viewing Fireworks over Niagara Falls. The displays run nightly at 10 p.m. starting Saturday.
- Celebrate with a bang on Sunday at the Caledonia Dam (rain date is May 23). Live entertainment starts around 7:30 p.m. with fireworks over the Grand River at dusk. fireworks.metroloop.net
Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines
You'll see them out this weekend through Hamilton and Burlington on their third annual Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in support of men's mental and physical health. More than 100 men and women will be dressed in their Sunday finest and on vintage and classic motorcycles Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m. Click here for their route details and go to gentlemansride.com for more on how to support Hamilton's Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.
Game day
Your Hamilton Bulldogs face off against the North Bay Battalion in Game 1 and 2 of the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference Championship Series at FirstOntario Centre on Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m. ticketmaster.ca
Rock lacrosse is back in town this weekend. Don't miss the pre-game party Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. ahead of Game 2 of the East Conference Finals held at FirstOntario Centre. The fun includes food, drinks, games, giveaways and the Rock City Dancers at the corner of Bay and York. The game starts at 7 p.m. ticketmaster.ca
Looking ahead
The Linc will be closed for maintenance next week in both direction beginning May 26 at 11 p.m. to May 30 at 4 a.m.
Open and closed
Victoria Day weekend is here. Monday is a statutory holiday and here is a look at what's open and what's not.
- Government offices and libraries are closed and mail delivery will not occur.
- Most grocery stores and pharmacies will be closed.
- LCBO stores are closed, but select Beer Store locations will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lime Ridge, Eastgate, Burlington Centre and Mapleview malls will be closed.
- The HSR will be running on a Sunday schedule. DARTS will be running holiday service hours. GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule.
- There will be no garbage pickup on Monday in Hamilton and Halton, instead it will be one day later than regularly scheduled.
- The AGH is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is closed Mondays.
- Hamilton civic museums are closed on Mondays.
- Hamilton Farmers' Market is closed on Mondays.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com