10 things to do this weekend around Hamilton

The best way to make the most of your weekend is to make plans, even on these lazy hot summer days.

Hamilton's heat wave is expected to continue into Sunday, so make sure you take sunscreen and do not forget to wear a hat when you venture outdoors.

Here are 10 things happening around Hamilton.

It's Hamilton Fringe

The city is hot for the arts as the Hamilton Fringe Festival continues daily until July 31. Have your Fringe backer button ready for this accessible, all-ages event. The festival shares the biggest offering of unabashed and unjuried theatre produced right here in Hamilton. After a two-year COVID hiatus, the festival is back with more than 60 shows, staged in 350 separate performances on 14 different stages throughout the city. It's all mostly live, with masks strongly recommended.

Visit hftco.ca for tickets, schedule and more. Here's a few things to look forward to.

• A Question of Justice runs July 22 to 31 at The Players' Guild of Hamilton.

• Portuguese-Canadian actor Mario Lourenco stars as both the young clown Squid and his bully in a face-to-face face off! Show runs July 22 to 31 at Theatre Aquarius Studio.

• Arts For All presents Dragon on the Hill, KinderFest at the Fringe Festival 2022 on Sunday, at 11 a.m.

Walking tours

Hamilton's Stories in the Stones, a free two-hour walking tour at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd., runs most Saturdays. Join Robin McKee at 11 a.m. at the gatehouse. This week looks at the Hamilton 1st Tour. hamiltonhistory.ca.

Powwow time

The Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow returns this weekend but to a new venue. You will find dancers and singers representing every major North American native cultural group dressed in their finest regalia at the grounds of the Ohsweken Speedway, 1987 Chiefswood Rd. The powwow is open to all and showcases traditional and contemporary art and crafts with over 30 food vendors and over 100 arts and craft vendors as well as the spectacular dance competitions. Gates open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Admission is $10 and $2 for children and a weekend pass is $15. grpowwow.ca

Concrete Canvas

This Hamilton arts festival features almost 40 artists painting murals live at over 20 sites across the city. The self-guided tour continues during daylight hours until 10 p.m. on Sunday. Use the map or download a list of the site addresses before you head out the door. This initiative is in full collaboration and support with the City of Hamilton. concretecanvasfest.com

Hermitage Ruins

Ghost Walks presents its classic one-of-a-kind tour into the haunted forest at night on Saturday. The Hermitage Ruins walk starts at the gatehouse at 8 p.m. Tickets purchased online for $15 include parking. Book now at ghostwalks.com/hermitage-ruins.

20,000 water balloons

The 5th Annual Assyrian Water Festival of Nusardil is Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m., at T.B. McQuesten Park, 1199 Upper Wentworth St. A taste of Assyrian food and culture, featuring a giant water balloon fight with 20,000 balloons. betnahrainahc.com/nusardil

Escape room

Discover secrets, find clues and interact with costumed actors this weekend at Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Rd. A Timeless Gathering': An Interactive Escape Room Theatre Experience runs Saturday with four event times between 1 and 9:30 p.m. Cost is $15 and pre-registration is required. Visit hamilton.ca and click on museums to register.

Pop-up Children's Museum

A Hamilton Children's Museum pop-up is planned at Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Blvd., in the Historic Kitchen Garden this weekend. Bring your young family and friends on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. for free nature-based activities in Sophia's Garden," a new child-focused interactive space. This garden features plants selected to inspire children to touch, smell and interact with nature. Regular admission rates apply to Dundurn Castle, the pop-up is free.

Concerts and theatre

Hamilton's Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts through the summer. Concerts this weekend are Saturday at the Waterdown Farmers' Market, 79 Hamilton St. N., featuring James N. Wilson at 10:30 a.m. and The Vaudevillian at 11:30 a.m.

Dusk Dances is back at Bayfront Park daily until Sunday. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with dance workshops at 6:45 p.m. A suggested contribution is $10. Remember to bring a chair or blanket to sit on. hcadancetheatre.com

Coming events

Valerie Tryon is scheduled to perform Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1" at the Brott Music Festival with the National Academy Orchestra under interim music director Alain Trudel on July 28 at 7:30 p.m. in McMaster's L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, 1280 Main St. W. brottmusic.com

Game day

Saturday at Tim Hortons Field, Forge FC take on Valour FC at 4:30 p.m. ticketmaster.ca

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