12 things to do around Hamilton this weekend

There is more to March than the sugar bush. Cap off a cold but great March break this weekend with a visit to Hamilton's Spring Tide Bulb Show, the Cat Fanciers show, Disney on Ice and more.

Environment Canada is calling for a mixed bag of precipitation with some rain, snow and flurries. Friday's balmy 8 C will drop to around -2 C for Saturday and Sunday.

Be sure you dress for the weather to attend these 12 things to do around Hamilton this weekend.

Environment

Spongy moth removal is a thing this season. Head over to Dundas Driving Park, 71 Cross St., on Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and join Hamilton's forestry team and Green Ventures for an interactive workshop on how to remove spongy moth eggs. Burlap wrap will be handed out for residents to band their trees at home. Learn about what the city is doing to combat this invasive species. The event is free. If you go, bring a container (plastic tub) and a dull knife.

Spring bulb show

Tulips, daffodils and crocus' bloom in the Spring at the Cottage" theme of Hamilton's 2023 Spring Tide Bulb Show. The free annual show continues until Sunday. The show features hundreds of blooming spring bulbs, floral displays, a children's zone and more. It's held in the Gage Park Greenhouse, north of the parking lot off Lawrence Road, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food items for Hamilton Food Share will be accepted.

Cat show

The Hamilton Cat Fanciers annual cat show returns to the Ancaster Fairgrounds this weekend. The show features a variety of felines and household pets as they compete for prize ribbons. The show runs Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A presentation with Dr. Tina Hall, of The Cat Clinic, titled Life Stage Guided Wellness" is Saturday at noon, and the best in show presentation of Saturday's winners is Sunday at noon. Also, on Sunday at 2 p.m., spectators can enjoy a costumed cat competition. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors and children under 12 years of age. Visit hamiltoncatshow.ca.

Disney on Ice

If you haven't already taken time out of March break to see Disney on Ice at FirstOntario Centre you can still nab tickets for Disney On Ice: Frozen & Encanto with more shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday. disneyonice.com

Chocolate tasting tour

Feeling the need for chocolate? Who isn't? Chocolate Tales, 430 York Blvd., offers chocolate tasting tours on Saturday with presentations, demonstrations and more. Tickets are $12 for a 30-minute tour. Pre-registration required. chocolatetales.ca

WinterTide

Last call for the Royal Botanical Gardens WinterTide event at the Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd. The garden is transformed into an indoor-outdoor jazz lounge from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is a 19+ event. Tickets are $15+ for the event only. Dinner reservation are available through OpenTable. rbg.ca

Whitehern on Canvas

Hamilton museums have a lot going on and this weekend we explore Whitehern Historic House and Garden, 41 Jackson St. W. Ruby McQuesten was a talented artist. See her paintings and drawings that are featured in each room during Whitehern on Canvas on Saturday from 12 to 4 p.m. The stable will be transformed into an art studio with opportunities for painting and crafts. Admission is $9 for adults.

Theatre

The Gig" continues on the main stage at Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., with shows until March 25. theatreaquarius.org

Music

Live and Local, hosted in the Community Studio Theatre, by the Mark Lalama Trio featuring Tom Wilson and Andy Griffiths is at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locus St., Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $39.50. burlingtonpac.ca

Trails

Map out a route for a weekend hike in the Hamilton or Halton conservation area, City of Hamilton, or RBG hiking trails. The Hamilton area is abound with views, escarpment stairs and vistas. Take on the outdoors on your last weekend of March break. conservationhamilton.ca

Outdoor skating

Let's hope the temperatures hold at cold. Hamilton's outdoor rinks are open for the season, weather permitting. City-operated outdoor rinks maintain the ice and will be patrolling sites up until 10 p.m. Lights shut off at 11 p.m. Outdoor rinks are: Waterdown Ice Loop, 200 Hamilton St. N.; Freelton Outdoor Rink, 170 Freelton Rd.; Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre Ice Loop, 876 Cannon St. E.; and Dundas Driving Park Outdoor Rink, 71 Cross St.

Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink at Pier 8 is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals are available for $10, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Burlington's Rotary Centennial Pond, 1340 Lakeshore Rd., is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rentals available.

Looking ahead

Burlington's Indigenous Art Walk and Spring Equinox Celebration is Monday starting at 11:30 a.m. in the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park.

Roller derby and the Hammer City Roller Derby league is bringing back their skating foundations program with an open house of sorts on Thursday, March 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Eastwood Arena, 111 Burlington St. E. The meet-and-greet is open to all. Try on equipment, watch a practice and have all your questions answered.

Limited tickets are available for the Art Gallery of Hamilton's Radical Design Fashion Show on March 23. The show highlights the artistry of Indigenous designers from around the country and is organized by the Woodland Cultural Centre. Tickets are $25. artgalleryofhamilton.com

Hamilton's ATB road race is next weekend on March 26.

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