Things to do in Hamilton the weekend before Christmas
Twas the week before Christmas and no one quite knew what to do.
The City of Hamilton closed its museums, with the exception of Dundurn National Historic Site, on Thursday. Here are some things expected to still be running this weekend in the Hamilton area.
Environment Canada is calling for snow and flurries on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to run near zero all weekend.
CP HOLIDAY TRAIN
It's not happening on Lawrence Road this year but the show does go on. Catch the 2021 Holiday Train at Home" concert livestream. Canadian Music Hall of Famer Steven Page and the Strumbellas will lead an all-star cast of performers to raise food, money and awareness for people who struggle with hunger on Saturday at 8 p.m. The concert will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and cpr.ca/holidaytrain.
BINBROOK SANTA PARADE
Santa Claus is touring Binbrook by horse and carriage on Saturday and you might want to check the tour map ahead so you don't miss his Ho, Ho, Ho! See Santa from the safety of your driveway or a public roadside space. Plan a little magic with the your littles (with any luck it will snow) and some hot chocolate. He'll be making his way through the town of Binbrook starting at 12:30 p.m. The route starts at Our Lady of Hope School and will follow the posted planned route through as many neighbourhoods as possible.
POINSETTIAS AT RBG
Did you know there are more than 1,500 poinsettias of assorted varieties on display throughout RBG Main Centre, the Rock Garden, and the Turner Pavilion Teahouse in Hendrie Park? This weekend is the perfect time to stop by the Plants of the Holidays Discovery station and explore why plants like poinsettia and holly are commonly used for winter holiday decor. rbg.ca
Winter Wonders, incredible festive lights through picture-perfect Hendrie Park, runs daily from 5 to 10 p.m.
LIGHT DISPLAYS
Take an hour or so this weekend to view some holiday light displays. Find Hamilton's Waterfront Festival of Lights on Pier 8, 57 Discovery Dr., the Burlington Festival of Lights runs daily in Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, and the Simcoe Christmas Panorama 2021 and the River of Lights, 50 Bonnie Dr., Simcoe, on from 6 to 10 p.m. daily.
Downtown Hamilton is a delight this time of year covered in lights, sights and sounds of Christmas. Enjoy a free ride on the Gore Park Ferris Wheel 12 to 8 p.m. daily until Dec. 23.
PHILHARMONIC
Hometown Holidays with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1 Summers Lane. Tickets available at hpo.org.
COMMUNITY SHOPPING
Winter in the City wraps up this weekend along Concession Street on Hamilton Mountain. Donations of non-perishable items (or cash donations) are accepted at Dirty South Restaurant, 590 Concession; Mountain Beauty Supply, 564 Concession; or Liberty Tax, 451 Concession. The food drive benefits Living Rock.
It's the last weekend of Kringle in the Creek artisan market in Stoney Creek on Friday and Saturday. Shoppers can head out to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 622 at 12 King St. E., for an outdoor "European-style" market hosting local vendors. Explore the market between 4 and 8 p.m.
THE ARTS
Theatre Aquarius presents Home For The Holidays" with shows until Dec. 18. theatreaquarius.org
Together Again for the Holidays" live or livestream with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, guest conductor Peter Oleskevich is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St. burlingtonpac.ca.
GIVING
Applications are being accepted for Hamilton's Snow Angels program to aid low-income seniors and/or people with disabilities. Volunteers remove snow from a resident's sidewalk, window, and path leading to their main access door. Visit hamilton.ca.
GAME DAY
Keep in mind the new provincial mandate that venues with more than 1,000 will need to cap at 50 per cent capacity.
The Rock's next home game is Saturday vs. Philadelphia Wings at FirstOntario Centre. Check out the holiday ticket pack for just $99. Includes two gold tickets and two City Rock toques. torontorock.com
Bulldogs are next in town Friday when the Peterborough Petes are at FirstOntario Centre for a 7 p.m. start. Tickets available at ticketmaster.ca.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com