Enjoy autumn-inspired events around Hamilton this weekend
Autumn events abound around Hamilton, starting with downtown Spooktacular on Friday, a weekend equine show in Ancaster, a costumed Hamilton Bulldogs afternoon game on Saturday and more.
It's definitely sweater weather around town, with daytime highs dropping closer to 10 C and near zero overnight.
Here are 11 things to do around Hamilton this weekend.
Orchestra
Sinfonia Ancaster is set to perform A Grand Night!" on Friday at 7 p.m. The 50-member orchestra with music director Jeffrey Pollock will perform in their new home at Peller Hall in the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 357 Wilson St. E. sinfoniaancaster.com
Halloween Spooktacular
Haunt Hamilton's downtown core and enjoy the free family entertainment on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Hay maze, fun house, face painting and more.
Halloween magic show
Professor Presto makes his spectators laugh, gasp and scream as he navigates impossibilities through magic and science. Show is on Friday at The Zoetic, 526 Concession St., starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $19 to $29. He will make kids float, turn two balls into many ... and make a picture come to life before your eyes. Wearing costumes is encouraged. eventbrite.ca
Happy Halloween
Don't forget Hamilton's Zombie Walk is Monday in downtown. For more on this and to see more in our list of Halloween happenings, visit thespec.com.
HPO
Gemma New is here to conduct two concerts this weekend. Intimate & Immersive: Our Wondrous World" is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Cotton Factory, and on Sunday, The Spirit Horse Returns" is at FirstOntario Concert Hall at 2 p.m. hpo.org
Horse show
The Triple Crown Draft Classic promises three days of events and about 300 horses this weekend at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Rd. S. Attractions include six-horse hitch events, plus displays and competitions with Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales from across the province. Tickets are about $20 for a day pass and are available online or at the gate.
Barton Village art
Anything is Possible on Barton art exhibition with about 15 installations is on full-tilt until Dec. 2 between Ferguson and Sherman avenues. The incredible work of local artists is displayed in vacant storefronts. Drawing on themes surrounding the people, places and history of Barton Street, these pop-up windows will share the story of this community and cultivate its identity as a place that values art and culture. On Saturday at 2 p.m., meet the local artists and tour the exhibition with arts adviser Monika Ciolek. Register at eventbrite.ca.
Winter clothing donations
Drop off gently used winter clothing/boots and other winter gear at Parkview Church, 1120 West 5th St., on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. All donations will be given free of charge to those in need. For more information, contact Susan at 905-575-0666.
Drive-in movies
Bundle up for a night at the drive in for some multi- and double- feature nights. Hamilton's Starlite theatre on Green Mountain Road is showing It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," Black Adam" and Don't Worry Darling" on Screen 1; Halloween Ends" and Prey for the Devil" on Screen 2; and Smile" and Scream" (2022) on Screen 3. premiertheatres.ca/starlite/comingsoon
Halloween escape room
Solve the Mystery of the Mechanics Institute: A Halloween Escape Room at the Dundas Museum and Archives. Escape the doctor's office. Open daily until Monday with three slots per evening at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m., the room is designed for teams from four to eight. Cost is $28 per person, tickets available through eventbrite.ca.
Game day
Bulldogs Halloween - Dress up for the costume cam, trick-or-treating in the suites, goo-making and more on Saturday at FirstOntario Centre for the Bulldogs home game against the Sarnia Sting. Puck drop is at 4 p.m. ticketmaster.ca
Thinking ahead
Our clocks fall back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 a.m.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com