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Our mid-winter long weekend has arrived, and Hamiltonians have plenty to keep them busy.

It will feel more like winter this weekend as temperatures hover around zero through to Monday.

Here are 15 things to do around Hamilton this Family Day weekend.

Hop on over to RBG

Bring your toad-lers, your teens, and grandparents too, and hop on over to Royal Botanical Gardens for Frogs! A Ribbeting Exhibit. The event is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission includes the exhibit, live animal encounters, self-guided children's activities, and access to the children's natural playground, the Mediterranean Garden greenhouse, as well as the Hendrie Park area. Make some new amphibi-friends from all around the world. Details on daily activities and purchasing timed tickets at rbg.ca/frogs.

Free fishing weekend

Family Day weekend is one of Ontario's Licence-Free Fishing Days. Enjoy the fun of fishing without a licence at 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday. No active events are planned for the Hamilton area, but if you do go fishing, be sure to stay off the ice. ontariofamilyfishing.com

Hamilton Conservation Authority ice fishing at Valens and Fifty Point conservation areas are closed because of weather conditions. conservationhamilton.ca

Winterfest Extravaganza

Hamilton's Winterfest hype continues through Monday. The weekend's events include: Human Kind Cabaret: A fundraiser for HATS is Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Cotton Factory; Meet the Greats, HPO Composer-In-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte at the HPL Central branch on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.; Imagination Station, at HPL Central branch Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.; and the Family Day Extravaganza presented by the Incite Foundation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, with many activities such as scavenger hunt, crafts, storytimes and so much more at the AGH and Winterfest Hub. hamiltonwinterfest.ca

AGH

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is open this weekend from Saturday until Monday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For Family Day, the gallery is open with free admission and is part of the Winterfest Extravaganza. artgalleryofhamilton.com

Brantford fireworks

On Family Day, Monday, Feb. 20, check out the fireworks in Harmony Square Brantford at 7:30 p.m. This is a special one-time display that is taking place as a result of the cancellation of the fireworks scheduled at the Time's Square in Harmony Square event on New Year's Eve.

Beer festival

Get your brew-loving friends together for a weekend of sampling craft beer and cider at the Because Brrr Craft Beer Festival at Bridgeworks. Sample local craft beer and cider, indulge in delicious eats, and enjoy live music from various artists throughout the weekend, including Hamilton's iconic cover band, Born in the Eighties. Participating breweries and cideries include Clifford Brewing, Collective Arts, Fairweather Brewing Co., Grain and Grit Beer Co., Steel Town Cider, and more. Sip your way through them all and enjoy a day out with friends. For full event and ticket information visit becausebeer.ca.

Astronomers clinic

The doors are open to the public on Saturday for a telescope clinic with the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers. Learn about the different types of telescopes, recommendations, what to avoid, and how to operate the various equipment and accessories. Everyone is welcome to bring their own telescopes. The clinic is from 2 to 4 p.m. at McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Rd. S. Admission is free. amateurastronomy.org.

Free girls field lacrosse

The Hamilton Lacrosse Association is offering a free Try Lacrosse" event for girls ages six to 18 who would like to try the sport. Participants will need a mouth guard and gym attire. Sticks are available to borrow for the session. Join them Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Soccer World, 104 Frid St. Participants must preregister at hamiltonlacrosse.com, click on the girls field lacrosse page.

Dundurn Castle

Explore a fascinating piece of Hamilton history at Dundurn National Historic Site with a guided tour of more than 40 rooms in Dundurn Castle. Admission to Dundurn Castle includes admission to The Hamilton Military Museum - visit this neighbouring museum for a self-guided experience with dress-up and engaging activities, while exploring the historical figures who lived in Hamilton during the War of 1812 and First World War. The museums are open 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Family Day Monday. Tickets are: adults ($14.75); seniors/youth ($12.75); children ($9.00); infants (free); family ($40.75.)

Model Train Show

Join the Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers and the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology for a special display of model trains in the 1913 Electric Pumphouse building on Monday. Visitors of all ages are invited to see the miniature trains and speak with club members to learn about this fascinating hobby. Train-themed crafts and activities will also be provided by the museum. Entrance to the train show is free and drop-in, no tickets required. If you also plan to tour the museum on Family Day, make sure to book a ticket in advance as space is limited. Regular admission rates apply. The museum is open all weekend from 12 to 4 p.m.

Big Blue Blocks

The Hamilton Children's Museum is hosting a pop-up event at the Ancaster Old Town Hall on Monday. Families are invited to build and play with the Big Blue Blocks, designed to inspire children to create their own inventions, environments and activities at 310 Wilson St. E., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Whitehern

Explore The Gages: An Early Upper Canadian Family" on Monday at Hamilton's Whitehern Historic House & Garden National Historic Site, 41 Jackson St. W., from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission: adults ($9); seniors/youth ($7.75); children ($5.50); infants (free); family ($24.75.)

Warplane Heritage Museum

Blast off to a great Family Day weekend event at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Space weekend features Astronomy in Action's planetarium where you can explore through time and space. Stunning 4K visuals of the true night sky in a professionally presented 360-degree theatre allows you to experience the universe with wonder and awe. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages six to 17, and free admission for museum members and children five and under. warplane.com

• Saturday is your only opportunity to meet Canadian astronaut Dave Williams, who will be at the museum at 1 p.m. for a presentation on aviation and space flight. Williams will also be available for book signings after his presentation.

Game day

Toronto Rock are home at FirstOntario Centre Saturday taking on the Georgia Swarm. Faceoff is at 7 p.m. torontorock.com

Your Hamilton Bulldogs skate into a doubleheader weekend with games at FirstOntario Centre Sunday and Monday. Sunday's game against Kingston is at 2 p.m. and Monday's game against Kitchener is at 2 p.m. hamiltonbulldogs.com

Looking ahead

Hamilton police have announced the return of in-person Cop Camp on March break this year. The registration deadline is Feb. 24. Cost is $20 per child. For more information and to obtain registration forms, please contact the Hamilton police crime prevention unit by emailing hparkinson@hamiltonpolice.ca.

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