Get out the house: things to do around Hamilton this weekend

Looking for some good ol' fashion outdoor fun this weekend? Strap on some skates, head to the trails or just get outside and start moving.

Here are a few things to keep you busy:

Skate the loop

Lace up your skates and whiz around the ice path in Waterdown Memorial Park. The loop is one of four outdoor skating surfaces run by the city. Staff are on site until 10 p.m., and the lights are shut off at 11. On top of the Waterdown loop, there are rinks - weather dependent - at the Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, Dundas Driving Park and Freelton Community Park. Closure notifications will be posted both online and at the park.

Frogs are back

The popular Frogs exhibit returns to the RBG Centre at Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd. W., from Jan. 20 to April 16. Timed tickets are $20.50 for adults, $17.50 for students and seniors and $12.50 for children four to 12. Pre-registration is required. The exhibit includes frog habitats and live frogs from around the world, as well as a frog pond and a slew of interactive programs and activities.

• Explore the RBG's 27 kilometres of nature trails, open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Find out more at rbg.ca.

Public library

Hamilton and Burlington public libraries offer many activities and events in addition to reading supplies, including:

• Family movies: the Valley Park branch is showing The Muppets" Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. and the Central branch is showing The Bad Guys" Jan. 25 at 11 a.m.

• Exam Cram for high school students: the program returns to Burlington Public Library branches from Jan. 20 to 30 and includes treats, brain break stations, and even - in some locations - therapy dogs. The pups will be at the Tansley Woods branch Jan. 25 from 7 to 8 p.m. and at the Alton branch on Jan. 26 from 8 to 9 a.m. For more on Exam Cram, visit bpl.on.ca.

• HCA pass: Did you know you can borrow a Hamilton Conservation Authority pass to explore the great outdoors? Borrow a pass from the library for free entry into HCA sites as well as Ontario Parks and Grand River Conservation Authority locations. More information at hpl.ca.

• Community access pass: The Burlington Public Library offers a pass to gain free general admission to various local and provincial tourism destinations. Visit bpl.on.ca to learn more.

Black Halos

Vancouver-based punk rockers The Black Halos perform live with Anxious Pleasers at Mills Hardware, 95 King St. E., at 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7 and general admission tickets are $26.40 at eventbrite.ca.

Lunar New Year

Ring in the Year of the Rabbit at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Saturday at 3 p.m. The Lunar New Year Gala features an array of performances, including traditional Chinese dances and instruments, modern catwalks and songs. Tickets for the main stage event are $25, and there is a free cultural exhibition with sugar painting, tea ceremonies, calligraphy in the BPAC atrium. Head to burlingtonpac.ca for tickets.

Helping out

The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is reaching out to the community for dryer sheets. You can drop them off at 245 Dartnall Rd. or purchase online via the organization's Amazon wish list at http://ow.ly/hlol50MraCp.

Looking ahead

BGC Hamilton-Halton's Indigenous Family Gathering Time takes place Jan. 24. bgchh.com/

National Geographic brings the ocean to Burlington with the Coral Kingdoms and Empires of Ice event Jan. 26 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Shows are at 1 and 7 p.m. burlingtonpac.ca

Hamilton Winterfest is Feb. 10 to 20. hamiltonwinterfest.ca

Registration for the Royal Botanical Gardens' March break camps opens to the public on Feb. 1. rbg.ca

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