Ring in the new year with these things to do in Hamilton this weekend
Happy New Year Hamilton.
You might want an umbrella on Friday and Saturday for rain. Temperatures are expected to range from 4 to 7 C. Temperatures will drop Saturday night, leading to possible flurries overnight and Sunday's high around -2.
Holiday festivities continue this weekend in the Hammer. Here are a few things we thought you might enjoy and need to know.
Polar Bear swims
A few brave souls will mark the new year with a polar bear plunge. Here are a couple locations that are sure to raise your heart rate even if the temperatures are above zero.
There's no formal Hamilton Polar Bear Dip, but a group of dedicated folks continue the Jan. 1 Polar Bear Dip at Van Wagner's Beach behind Hutch's in Hamilton every year at 1 p.m. Be one of the swimmers or just go out to watch on New Year's Day. facebook.com/HamiltonPolarBearDip/
The 13th annual Grimsby Polar Bear Plunge is New Year's Day with the first dip at 2 p.m. The icy dip will take place at Bal Harbour beach on the half-hour. Registration opens at 1:30 p.m. with a maximum of 25 people per time slot. Funds raised during the event will be donated to support McNally Hospice.
In Oakville, the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip is virtual once again, but it doesn't make it less fun. A virtual event means you can do a dip from anywhere in the world. Follow the steps to participate, or just watch the mayhem from your own living room on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. polarbeardip.ca
Port Dover Polar Bear Dip is on New Year's Day from 1 to 4 p.m.
Dipping? Here's a tip. Wear socks, water shoes or even running shoes to stop your feet from sticking to the snowy or icy shore and prevent cuts and scrapes from the frozen ground.
Hamilton Levee
Hamilton's New Year's Levee with Mayor Fred Eisenberger is Sunday, 5 p.m., as a virtual event. Residents can find the broadcast on Cable 14 or youtube.com/user/InsideCityofHamilton.
Port Dover Levee
The 20th Annual Captain's New Year's Levee hosted by The Port Dover Museum is virtual again. It's right after the Polar Dip on Saturday, 2 p.m. Join on Facebook live for music and a look back at 20 years of celebration.
Winterlit Trail
The wooded trails at Mountsberg Conservation Area are magical with lights and sounds to delight. The Winterlit Trail features a unique lighting experience with art installations along the trail. Also at Mountsberg, the Illuminated Sugarbush Trail has soft overhead lighting to allow for a beautiful evening stroll through the sugar bush. This experience will include soundtracks from local musicians while you enjoy the beauty of Mountsberg in winter. The Winterlit experience is $17 for nonmembers and is offered Wednesday to Sunday evenings until Feb. 20, 6 to 10:30 p.m. Click here to view the Winterlit map.
- Enhanced Evenings are also available at an additional fee on Feb. 11 to 13 and Feb. 18 to 20. Sorry, New Year's Eve is full.
Game day
Hamilton hosts the Niagara IceDogs Sunday, 2 p.m., at FirstOntario Centre. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca. Watch for game day updates at hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Tree pickup
Hamilton's Christmas tree pickup is this week and next on your regular garbage day. Natural Christmas trees, no longer than 2.1 metres (6.9 feet), will be picked up. Remove decorations and lights and cut larger trees in half.
In Halton, tree collections are the weeks starting Jan. 10 and 17 on your regular garbage day.
Open and closed for New Year's Day
There is no change to garbage collection schedules this week in Hamilton, Halton or Niagara.
Hamilton library branch locations are closed Jan. 1 and 3. Visit hpl.ca/hours.
HSR - New Year's Eve runs on a regular weekday schedule. To encourage safe celebrations at home, there will be no free or extended service offered. New Year's Day will be a special holiday schedule with limited bus service until 9 p.m. For HSR information call 905-527-4441 or visit hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-schedules-fares.
Burlington's downtown transit terminal is closed Jan. 1. Transit service will run modified holiday service Jan. 1. Call 905-639-0550 or visit burlingtontransit.ca for real-time schedule information.
GO Transit will run on a Saturday schedule Jan. 1 and 3. Be sure to check the schedule at gotransit.com.
Royal Botanical Gardens are open New Year's Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on New Year's Day.
Hamilton Farmers' Market is closed New Year's Day.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is closed until Jan. 4.
Post offices are closed and there is no delivery Jan. 1 to 3.
LCBO stores are open on Dec. 31, operating with extended hours. Closed Jan. 1.
The Beer Store outlets close 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and are closed Jan. 1.
Most stores and retail outlets are closed Saturday; including Lime Ridge, Eastgate, Mapleview and Burlington Centre. Note that these malls close by 5 or 6 p.m. on Friday for New Year's Eve.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com