Ten things to do around Hamilton the weekend before Christmas
Watch a holiday show or movie, walk among the lights at the Royal Botanical Gardens or visit a Hamilton museum.
Those are just a few things to do around the city this weekend - the last one before Christmas.
Environment Canada says there is a possibility of some sunshine seeping in through partly cloudy skies, with daytime highs around -3 C on Saturday and Sunday.
Theatre Aquarius
A Hamilton Holiday Musical is live on stage at Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St., with shows daily until Dec. 24 in the Irving Zuker Theatre. Matinees are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 to $65 plus fees and taxes. Call 905-522-7509 or go to theatreaquarius.org.
Candlelit Christmas
Guitar Magic Candlelight Christmas features guitarists James Bryan (Philosopher Kings/Prozzak) and Emma Rush at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. John the Evangelist church, 320 Charlton Ave. W. Tickets are $30 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.
More sounds of Christmas
The Spectator's Leonard Turnevicius wrote about Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra music director Gemma New and her return to the city for concerts this weekend. The first and third of those will be Handel's Messiah," co-presented with Alexander Cann's Bach Elgar Choir, on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. - both in Central Presbyterian Church, 165 Charlton Ave. W. Tickets ($23.50 to $98.50 plus fees and tax) at hpo.org or by calling 905-526-7756.
William Rolfe and the Dundas Concert Band present their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. in St. Paul's United Church, 29 Park St. W., Dundas. Free admission.
Paul Grimwood and the choir of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 320 Charlton Ave. W., present a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Free-will offering.
RBG
How lucky are we to have the Royal Botanical Gardens on our doorstep? Choose from 27 kilometres of nature trails in Burlington and Hamilton, displays, holiday events and more.
The RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W., is now decorated with bright poinsettias and the Botanical Trail display. Tickets are also available for Winter Wonders, a one-way, 1.5-kilometre path through Hendrie garden on until Jan. 8.
Can't get enough trains? The RBG's G scale Escarpment Train exhibit is open at the Rock Garden, 1185 York Blvd. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and the display is included in general admission or membership.
Finally, this weekend features the Family Solstice Celebration with a guided night hike and roaring bonfire. It's Friday at 6 p.m. and tickets are still available. Registration is required. rbg.ca.
Whitehern craft kits
Free family Grab and Go" kits from Whitehern Historic House and Gardens are available while they last up until Dec. 24. Pick one at the museum, 41 Jackson St. W., between noon and 4 p.m. The craft kits for decorating during the holidays are recommended for children aged six to 12 with adult supervision. Reserve a kit now by emailing Rebecca.Hicks@hamilton.ca.
Hamilton museums
Take a break and enjoy the holiday themed events in Hamilton's museums.
- Battlefield House: take a guided museum tour to immerse yourself in an early 19th-century home in wintertime, with warm, welcoming aromas in the air.
- Whitehern: experience the holidays as they were celebrated by the McQuestens across various eras, from the 1850s to the 1930s.
- Dundurn Castle: take a guided tour of the castle, decorated in Victorian splendour with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers, by the Garden Club of Hamilton.
Holiday movies
The Westdale features a weekend full of Christmas favourites. On Saturday, catch The Polar Express at 10 a.m., A Christmas Story at 1 p.m., National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at 4 p.m. and White Christmas at 7 p.m. Sunday's lineup includes Elf at 1 p.m., Love Actually at 4 p.m. and Remember The Night at 7 p.m. thewestdale.ca.
The Playhouse Cinema features White Christmas at 4:20 p.m. and Die Hard (4K restoration) at 9:30 p.m. - both on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, bring a donation for Hamilton Food Share for free admission to watch It's a Wonderful Life at 1 p.m. playhousecinema.ca.
And you will not want to miss The Zoetic's interactive holiday movie lineup on Saturday. See The Polar Express: Pyjama Party Screening at 10 a.m. and Elf: The Epic Experience at 7 p.m., with signature quote-along, singalong, and specialty drinks for the young and old. Tickets are $10 for either show. thezoetic.ca.
Photo with Santa
Santa is coming to Hamilton's Central Police Station, 155 King William St., this weekend. Take your own photo while you visit between noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Grinch
It is the last day to see the Grinch in downtown Hamilton's International Village BIA on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca.
Game day
It's the Toronto Rock Holiday Bash Teddy Bear Toss on Saturday when the Buffalo Bandits visit FirstOntario Centre at 7 p.m. Bring a teddy or buy one at the game. torontorock.com.
The Hamilton Bulldogs are in Ottawa at TD Place for a 2 p.m. puck drop Saturday. hamiltonbulldogs.com.
Looking ahead
Book timed tickets for the Hamilton Children's Museum New Year's Eve Old Town Hall.
Designed to support those with dementia, the Artful Moments program is being hosted by the Art Galley of Hamilton at Whitehern Historic House on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Registration is required. Contact Laurie Kilgour-Walsh at 905-527-6610, ext. 272, or email access@artgalleryofhamilton.com.
Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com