A dozen things to do around Hamilton this weekend

Sprinkle joy into your weekend with concerts and movies in the park, animated dinosaurs, a beer or food truck festival, shopping and dining on Locke Street and more.

Environment Canada is calling for hot summer days this weekend with daytime highs up around 30 C.

Here are a dozen things to do around Hamilton.

Towering dinos

Dino Stroll is at Hamilton Convention Centre By Carmen's on Saturday and Sunday with full life-size dinosaurs and dragons. Walk through and get up close while you stroll into the Mesozoic Era with prehistoric dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Dino Stroll is produced with advanced animatronic and sound technology to bring these amazing creatures to life. Story times, craft stations, bounce inflatables, rides and more are included. Bring a non-perishable food item if you can, collection bins will be located at the front entrance. All collected food items will then be donated to the Niwasa Food Bank to help children and families in the Hamilton area facing hunger and food insecurities. Tickets are for timed entry, every half-hour. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The convention centre is located at 1 Summers Lane. Tickets start at $38.39 plus fees, online and advance purchase only. dinostroll.com

Mounted police

Hamilton Public Library Stoney Creek Branch, 777 Highway 8, is expecting a visit from one of Hamilton's mounted police officers and their four-legged partner on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. For a full schedule of visits visit hpl.ca.

Because Beer festival

Nothing screams summer like a festival at Pier 4 Park in Hamilton. The Because Beer Craft Beer Festival won't disappoint with over 30 beer vendors, live music, food, drag, comedy and more. Tickets are on sale now for single or two-day passes. This is a 19+ event, ID required. Doors open at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. becausebeer.ca

Burl Food Truck Festival

The Burlington Food Truck festival is back Friday to Sunday in Spencer Smith Park. Some 30 food trucks are expected on-site, including Meltdown Cheesery, Rebozos Mexican Food, Frootful, Donia's Donair, Buster's Sea Cove, Cheesecake by Heirloom and more. Admission is free but donations will be accepted upon entry for SickKids. Live entertainment is scheduled and a children's village with bouncy castles, games and rides is planned. Event runs Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m.

Movie in the park

Bring your own chair (or blanket) and snacks to Woodlands Park, 501 Barton St. E., on Saturday starting around dusk. Barton Village BIA and Playhouse Cinema present a free Movies in the Park series through the summer. This weekend is the second of four family friendly nights and features Encanto."

Concerts in the park

Big weekend for Hamilton's Summer Concert Series, which features free outdoor concerts through the summer. Concerts this weekend are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

• On Friday at East Kiwanis Place, 236 Ottawa St. N., featuring Fake Shape at 7:30 p.m. and MER at 8:30 p.m.

• Saturday at Memorial Square, on King Street West, Dundas, featuring Martin Brothers Collective at 1 p.m., Piper Hayes at 2 p.m.

• Sunday on Locke Street South at Herkimer featuring Steve Deeps and Danielle as Scenic Roots at 12 and 1 p.m., then Mahima Akshinthala at 4 and 5 p.m.

Butterfly workshop

The time is ripe for butterflies. Free public workshops are held each Saturday until Aug. 27 at Hamilton's Urquhart Butterfly Garden. The hour-long walks start at 10 a.m. This weekend's butterfly and nature identification walk and tour is hosted by naturalist Matt Mills. The butterfly garden is located in Centennial Park at Cootes Drive and East Street in Dundas. Free parking is available at 128 King St. E. Mills is an experienced gardener and will be bringing a selection of organically grown native plants that can be purchased. urquhartbutterfly.com

Ice cream Sunday

Sunday has been dubbed National Ice Cream Day and Hamilton has plenty of shops where you can share a scoop. Check out The Spectator's More than a few dozen favourite ice cream spots around Hamilton."

Unlock your Sundays

Sundays Unlocked are back on Hamilton's Locke Street this summer. Live music, vendors, workshops and outdoor dining. The street is open to pedestrians on the event dates: July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Garden tour

Blooming on the Grand Garden Tour features eight gardens in the Hagersville and Selkirk area. Begin your tour at the Cottonwood Mansion, 740 Haldimand Rd. 53, Selkirk. There, you can pick up your brochure-map which will direct you to the gardens on the tour. Tickets are $10 each and the tour runs rain or shine so dress for success. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. No pets. haldimandhorticulture.com

Walking tours

Join Bill King on Sunday for a free 90-minute walking tour of downtown Hamilton. Fire, Fire," is the topic this week. Visit the locations of famous blazes and learn how they changed Hamilton. Meet at King and John streets at 10 a.m.

Hamilton's Stories in the Stones, free two-hour walking tour at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., is Saturday. Join Robin McKee at 11 a.m. at the gatehouse. This week is the Masonic Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.

Game Day

Ticats take on the Redblacks Saturday. Kickoff is 5 p.m. at Tim Hortons Field. ticats.ca

Coming this week

Drop by the dock at Pier 8 beside Williams' on Wednesdays through the summer for free Sottish dancing with the Royal Scottish Dance Society. No experience is needed. Runs 6:30 p.m. to dusk.

The Dundas Concert Band Summer Music Series at the Dundas Driving Park, 71 Cross St., is Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. throughout July and early August (weather permitting).

Hamilton Fringe Festival kickoff event is Wednesday live on the outdoor stage at 190 King William St. The event gives each company the chance to pitch their show to you in 60 seconds. Join live and in-person on at 7:30 p.m. Online booking closes at 6:30 p.m. The 18th Hamilton Fringe Festival runs July 20 to 31. hftco.ca

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com