🔒 Hamilton Has a Secret This Weekend

Hey Hamilton 👋

February's almost done, and this week, Hamilton is going out with a bang. Bruce McCulloch takes the Westdale stage Friday, the Toronto Rock host the Buffalo Bandits in a fierce rivalry showdown Saturday, and two Candlelight concerts light up the weekend. Plus, Theatre Aquarius gears up to open Murder on the Orient Express next week, and the Tiger-Cats’ offseason keeps getting more interesting.

Let’s get into it.

--- Michael Horvath

Fri, Feb 27 @ 8:00 PM — The Westdale (1014 King St W)

The Kids in the Hall legend brings his solo tour to Hamilton. Expect storytelling, sharp wit, and the kind of comedy that makes you think as much as it makes you laugh.

👉 The Westdale

Sat, Feb 28 @ 6:30 PM — The Westdale (1014 King St W)

Inception, Interstellar, The Lion King, the cinematic scores that gave you goosebumps the first time, now performed live by candlelight. A completely different kind of Saturday night.

👉 Fever

Sat, Feb 28 @ 8:45 PM — The Westdale (1014 King St W)

Two of the greatest bands in rock history, one candlelit night. Whether you’re a die-hard Queen fan or a lifelong Beatles devotee, this one’s hard to pass up.

👉 Fever

Sat, Feb 28 @ 7:00 PM — TD Coliseum

Rivalry Night! The Rock take on one of the NLL’s fiercest opponents in a box lacrosse showdown that never disappoints. Fast, physical, and loud, this is Hamilton’s pro team at home.

👉 Toronto Rock

Multiple showtimes Fri—Sun — The Westdale (1014 King St W)

Includes family screenings (Paw Patrol: Rocky’s Cat-astrophe, The SpongeBob Movie), a cult classic (They Live, Feb 25), and Lost in Translation Sunday evening. Check the full schedule.

👉 The Westdale

Sat, Feb 28 + Sun, Mar 1 — Theatre Aquarius Studio (190 King William St)

Part of the Frost Bites festival, this charming family musical by Enchantment Theatre is perfect for little ones ages 2–8. Features puppets, folk songs, and audience participation — a perfect Sunday outing.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

- +LIVE+: Like A Rollin’ Thunder Tour (w/ Big Wreck & Econoline Crush) — Thu, Mar 5, 2026 @ 7:00 PM TD Coliseum

- TWICE [THIS IS FOR] World Tour — Fri–Sat, Mar 6–7, 2026 TD Coliseum

- JOURNEY — Mon, Mar 9, 2026 TD Coliseum

- Sir Rod Stewart — Tue, Mar 10, 2026 TD Coliseum

👉 Full calendar: TD Coliseum Events

- The 2026 JUNO Awards — Sun, Mar 29, 2026 (TD Coliseum) The JUNO Awards

- JUNO Kickoff Concert — Thu, Mar 26, 2026 (The Music Hall) City of Hamilton

Fri, Feb 27 @ 8:00 PM & Sat, Feb 28 @ 8:00 PM — Levity Comedy Club (120 King St W)

A full weekend of stand-up from Hamilton’s go-to comedy room. Great option if you want a guaranteed laugh and a cocktail.

👉 Fri tickets Sat tickets

Thu, Feb 26 @ 7:30 PM — The Westdale (1014 King St W)

A night celebrating two iconic voices — with the acoustic, intimate energy that The Westdale does best.

👉 The Westdale

Wed, Feb 25 @ 8:00 PM — Levity Comedy Club (120 King St W)

Perfect for discovering the next great stand-up. Cheap ticket, fun crowd, zero pretension.

👉 Levity Comedy Club

The Rock return to TD Coliseum this Saturday for one of the most-anticipated home games of the season — Rivalry Night vs the Buffalo Bandits (Sat, Feb 28 @ 7:00 PM). The Bandits are one of the NLL’s top rivalry opponents, and this game always delivers. Grab tickets soon, these sell fast.

👉 Toronto Rock

The CONCACAF Champions Cup run is in the books after Forge fell to Tigres UANL in the first round. Eyes are now on the 2026 CPL season, which opens April 4. No CPL pre-season news to flag this week, but this team will come out motivated after that Champions Cup chapter.

👉 Forge FC

The Ticats’ busy offseason continues. This past week, the team released QB Harrison Frost (Feb 21), a move that signals the team is fully committed to the Bo Levi Mitchell era going forward. The additions keep coming: two-time All-CFL linebacker Wynton McManis (former Argonaut), explosive returner Mario Alford, National receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and punter Fraser Masin are all locked in. The Ticats look determined to turn last year’s East Final appearance into a Grey Cup run.

⏳ 88 days until the Tiger-Cats’ first preseason game (Sat, May 24, 2026 vs Toronto @ 7:00 PM, Hamilton Stadium)

👉 Ticats

The McMaster Marauders men’s basketball team wraps up its regular season this week. The squad (2-15) has been battling through a tough OUA Central schedule, but remains competitive in individual matchups. Check the schedule for any final regular-season games or playoff seeding updates.

On the women’s side, the season came to a close on Feb 18 when the Marauders were eliminated by the Brock Badgers (76-63) in the OUA first-round playoffs. Carly McBain and Grace Ammendolia had strong individual seasons. A tough result, but this group showed real fight throughout the year.

👉 McMaster Marauders

Theatre Aquarius’s production of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery opens Wednesday, March 4 and runs through March 29. Classic whodunit energy, grab tickets now before the early weeks sell out.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

Hamilton’s indie theatre + arts festival is back with immersive performances, lantern-making workshops, and a community commons marketplace. A low-key gem for arts lovers.

👉 Learn more

The Art Gallery of Hamilton always has something worth dropping in for downtown. Check their rotating exhibitions for a quick mid-week culture fix.

👉 Art Gallery of Hamilton

If you want a simple, stacked week:

- Wed: Amateur Night at Levity Levity Comedy Club

- Thu: The Songs of Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks at The Westdale The Westdale

- Fri: Bruce McCulloch at The Westdale OR Jason Allen at Levity The Westdale

- Sat: Candlelight: Hans Zimmer @ 6:30 PM → Toronto Rock vs Buffalo Bandits OR second Candlelight (Queen & Beatles) @ 8:45 PM TD Coliseum

Got a show, event, or pop-up we should include next week? Reply to this email with the link + details, and we’ll check it out. 

See you out there, Hamilton 👋

Have a neighbourhood story, event, or city update we should feature next week?

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Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath