Welcome to 2026, Hamilton 👋 Here’s What’s Changing This Week

Good morning, Hamilton! 👋

New year, new week and a few important “back-to-normal” service updates to keep on your radar (plus Christmas tree pickup starts this week 🎄).

Here’s what you need to know for January 5–11, 2026.

— Michael Horvath

🎄 Christmas tree pickup starts this week (how to set it out properly)
🚛 Waste & recycling reminders (yard waste is done for the season)
🚧 Road & trail closures to know (starting Jan 5)
🚌 Transit: Winter schedules + detours check-in
📚 Library update (Study Halls pause ends Jan 5)
💉 Public Health clinic + reporting updates (Jan 5 resumes)
🏫 Back to school (HWDSB calendar note)
⚡ Quick Hits
🧭 Hamilton at a Glance
🏘️ Neighbourhood Watch (incl. Ancaster + Stoney Creek)

If you’ve got a real tree ready to go, the City collects natural Christmas trees curbside in the first and second week of January — on your regular collection day. Key rules: remove all decorations/stands/bags, keep it clear of snow/ice, don’t place it on/behind snowbanks, and there’s a max of 5 trees (trees over 2.1 m should be cut in half). 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

🎄 Tree pickup = curbside (Jan 5–9 + Jan 12–16)
Set your tree out only on your collection day by 7 a.m and follow the rules above. If you miss the two-week window, you can bring it to a Community Recycling Centre for free. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

🍂 Yard waste is done (for now)
Curbside yard waste collection has ended for the year and is scheduled to resume the week of March 2, 2026. (Drop-off at Community Recycling Centres remains available year-round.) 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

🛑 Wilson Street road closure (starts Jan 5)
Wilson Street (Sanford Ave to Sherman Ave) is scheduled to be closed/local access only from Jan 5, 2026 to late June 2026 for sewer/watermain and road/sidewalk reconstruction. Transit detours are expected; emergency services and waste collection are not expected to be affected. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

🥾 Keddy Access Trail weekday closures (starts Jan 5)
The City has posted an alert for weekday closures (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) on the Keddy Access Trail between Arkledun Ave and West 5th St, running Jan 5–23, 2026. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

HSR has posted Winter 2026 service/schedule information (including the Dec 28 changeover), so it’s a good week to double-check your route times if your commute feels “off.” 🔗 Learn more hpl.ca

Branch Study Halls are paused through Monday, January 5, 2026, and Central Library Study Hall hours are noted as resuming in Spring 2026. The page also lists after-hours Study Hall branches (including Dundas and Waterdown) on Mon–Thurs, 8 p.m. to midnight. 🔗 Learn more hpl.ca

🧪 Sexual Health Clinics
Hamilton Public Health notes clinics will resume as of January 5, 2026 (with guidance on what to use a family doctor/walk-in/hospital ER for). 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

📊 Respiratory Virus reporting resumes this week
The City’s Respiratory Virus Transmission Summary notes that regular updates will resume the week of January 5, 2026. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

🧠 Child & Adolescent Services
The City indicates Quick Access Walk-In services will resume on January 5, 2026. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

HWDSB’s 2025–26 Elementary School Year Calendar lists Jan 1–2, 2026 as designated holidays, with the following week returning to the regular schedule, meaning Monday, Jan 5 is the first school day back for many families. 🔗 Learn more Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

🥂 2026 JUNOs: temporary liquor licence hour extensions — If you’re in hospitality (or just curious), the City posted details about temporary extensions tied to the 2026 JUNOs. 🔗 Learn more City of Hamilton

⛳ Glow-in-the-dark mini golf opens in Hamilton — A new option for a winter night out that isn’t “another movie night.” 🔗 Learn more Urbanicity

🍼 Hamilton’s first baby of 2026 — A feel-good local “new year” moment. 🔗 Learn more Urbanicity

🥶 Winter safety reminders — Handy seasonal tips (especially with snow/ice conditions ongoing). 🔗 Learn more Urbanicity

🎄 Tree pickup starts this week. Set it out properly (no snowbanks!) City of Hamilton
🛑 Wilson St closure begins Jan 5 (Sanford → Sherman) City of Hamilton
🥾 Keddy Access Trail weekday closures begin Jan 5 City of Hamilton
📚 Library Study Halls pause ends Jan 5 hpl.ca

💉 Public Health clinic/reporting updates resume the week of Jan 5 City of Hamilton+1

🏙️ Downtown / Lower City
Wilson St closure starts Jan 5, expect local detours and “give yourself extra time” vibes if you’re near Sanford/Sherman. City of Hamilton

⛰️ The Mountain
Keddy Access Trail weekday closures begin Jan 5 (7 a.m.–7 p.m.). If it’s part of your commute route, plan an alternate path. City of Hamilton

🌿 Dundas
If you use the library after-hours Study Hall: Dundas Branch is listed as an after-hours location (Mon–Thurs, 8 p.m.–midnight) with the holiday pause ending Jan 5. hpl.ca

🏡 Ancaster
Tree pickup is citywide. Just make sure it’s clear of snow/ice and not placed on/behind snowbanks so it can be collected. City of Hamilton

🌊 Waterdown
Waterdown Branch is also listed for after-hours Study Hall (Mon–Thurs, 8 p.m.–midnight) once the holiday pause ends Jan 5. hpl.ca

🏖️ Stoney Creek
Need yard-waste stickers for a reusable yard waste container later in the season? The City lists pickup points, including the Stoney Creek Recreation Centre. City of Hamilton

January always hits a little different — back to routines, back to commutes, and back to the “okay, let’s do this” energy. 💪

Quick reminder: Christmas tree pickup is happening on your regular collection day this week, and a few City services + schedules are officially back in motion starting Jan 5. If you’re out and about, keep an eye on closures, trail updates, and transit changes as things ramp up again. 🚧🚌

Have something we should feature next week (a local story, community update, or a can’t-miss heads-up)? Just reply to this email. I read every message.

Have an awesome week, Hamilton. ✨

Have a neighbourhood story, event, or city update we should feature next week?
Email me at [email protected].

Follow Hamilton Digest on Instagram and Facebook.

And if you enjoyed today’s edition, forward it to someone who loves The Hammer!

Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath