Happy Friday, Hamilton! 👋
If your group chat is already asking, "So... what are we doing this weekend?" consider this your cheat code. 😄
Winterfest rolls on with drag shows, movies, and live music across the city. Plus: country superstar HARDY at TD Coliseum, Toronto Rock lacrosse, hip-hop from Shad at Bridgeworks, and your usual mix of winter trails, great food, and easy weekend wins.
📬 In This Week's Weekender
🎸 HARDY: The Country! Country! Tour at TD Coliseum (Fri)
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA at The Westdale (Fri)
🥍 Toronto Rock vs. Oshawa FireWolves lacrosse (Sat)
🎤 Shad live at Bridgeworks (Sat)
👑 Frost Queens drag show at Theatre Aquarius (Sat)
🎬 Happy Feet screenings at The Westdale (Sat-Sun)
🌸 RBG Floral Showcase: Bloomland in Oz (ongoing)
🍽️ 5 restaurant picks (with menus) across Hamilton
☃️ Outdoor skating + winter trails
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly options that won't feel like homework
🌡️ Weekend weather (cold + snow)
❄️ Big Events This Weekend (Feb 6-8)
🎸 HARDY: The Country! Country! Tour
When: Friday, Feb 6 @ 7:00 PM
Where: TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd)
Country music's boldest voice brings The Country! Country! Tour to Hamilton. HARDY's raw energy, genre-bending sound, and massive hits make this a must-see for country fans. Special guests Cameron Whitcomb and McCoy Moore open the show.
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to ABBA
When: Friday, Feb 6 @ 7:00 PM
Where: The Westdale (1014 King St W)
Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, and all the ABBA classics you love, performed live by candlelight. Romantic, nostalgic, and the perfect Friday night vibe.
🥍 Toronto Rock vs. Oshawa FireWolves
When: Saturday, Feb 7 @ 6:00 PM
Where: TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd)
Professional lacrosse returns to the newly renovated TD Coliseum. The six-time NLL champion Toronto Rock take on the Oshawa FireWolves in fast-paced, hard-hitting box lacrosse action. Great family entertainment with hometown energy.
🎤 Shad: 20th Anniversary / Start Anew Tour
When: Saturday, Feb 7 @ 8:00 PM (doors 7:00 PM)
Where: Bridgeworks (200 Caroline St N)
Canadian hip-hop legend Shad celebrates 20 years of powerful storytelling and conscious rap. With opening sets from Danny Miles and Jaye Woods, this is an intimate night of live hip-hop at one of Hamilton's best venues. $22 advance, 19+.
👑 Hamilton Winterfest presents Frost Queens
When: Saturday, Feb 7 @ 5:00 PM (all ages) and 8:00 PM (19+ show)
Where: Theatre Aquarius (190 King William St)
Hamilton's hottest drag performers return for Frost Queens' fourth year, featuring Canada's Drag Race star Velma Jones, Karma Kameleon, Chimera, Hexe Noire, and Baby Butcher. Two shows, one family-friendly, one for adults. $27.50.
🎬 Happy Feet - Hamilton Winterfest Screenings
When: Saturday, Feb 7 @ 1:00 PM and Sunday, Feb 8 @ 1:00 PM
Where: The Westdale (1014 King St W)
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Happy Feet returns for special Winterfest screenings. Includes a winter-themed photo station and free small popcorn. Perfect for families looking for a cozy indoor activity.
🌸 RBG Floral Showcase: Bloomland in Oz
When: Saturday-Sunday (ongoing through April 6)
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens (680 Plains Rd W, Burlington)
Step into a world of wonder this winter at Royal Botanical Gardens. Inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this whimsical indoor experience transforms the land of Oz into beautiful floral displays, colourful blooms, and artistic creations. It's a magical adventure for all ages, perfect for a winter escape.
🌲 Outdoor + Winter Activities
⛸️ Outdoor Skating (weather permitting)
When: Daily until 11 PM
Where: City rinks across Hamilton
Free drop-in skating at Bernie Morelli, Dundas Driving Park, Freelton, and Waterdown Memorial Park. Weather-dependent, so check before you go.
🌲 King's Forest Winter Walking Trail
When: Anytime this weekend (daytime best)
Where: King's Forest Golf Course
Scenic 2.5 km trail. Snowshoes and Nordic walking poles are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
⛷️ Permitted Tobogganing Hills
When: Daily (weather permitting)
Where: Chedoke, Dundas Driving Park, Garth & Stone Church Reservoir, King's Forest, Waterdown Memorial Park
Bring your sled and let gravity do the work.
🌿 Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse
When: Anytime this weekend
Where: Gage Park
Free, cozy, and a nice warm-up when the cold becomes too much. Great low-key family plan.
🍽️ Where To Eat This Weekend
Ancaster: 🍔 Southcote 53
Where: 534 Garner Rd. E, Ancaster
The most incredible casual dining in Ancaster. From traditional favourites like Fish and Chips and Smash Burger to the chef's latest creations like Tuscan Chicken Linguine and Jerk Chicken Dinner. 20 beers on tap, signature cocktails, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
What to order: Smash Burger or Tuscan Chicken Linguine.
Waterdown: 🍖 The Watermark Taphouse & Grille
Where: 115 Hamilton St N, Waterdown
Specializes in fresh local ingredients and house-smoked meats with a uniquely Canadian take on California/Southern smoke fusion. Chef Dan Alexopoulos puts his own spin on familiar pub favourites.
What to order: House-smoked meats and chef's pub favourites.
Stoney Creek: 🍗 Rony's Rotisserie
Where: 312 Grays Rd, Stoney Creek
Often called Stoney Creek's best-kept secret. Famous for their chicken kabob with rice, red pepper hummus, falafels, and seasoned basmati rice. Rony is reputed to make the best fries in the city. Authentic Middle Eastern flavours.
What to order: Chicken kabob with rice and the famous fries.
Dundas: 🐟 Pinbones Fish Market
Where: 65 King St W, Dundas
A sophisticated destination for seafood enthusiasts. Exceptional selection of fresh, high-quality fish and seafood with artfully prepared dishes and unique seasonal catches. Knowledgeable staff provide expert advice.
What to order: Fresh catch of the day and seasonal seafood dishes.
Hamilton: 🍷 Quatrefoil Restaurant
Where: 16 Sydenham St., Dundas
An award-winning restaurant in charming Dundas. They love local and celebrate the greatness in food, wine, spirits, art, and entertainment. Masterfully prepared food and drink by a team passionate about cooking with service that aims to please.
What to order: Chef's seasonal selections and local ingredients.
🍽 Restaurant of the Week
🔥 Memphis Fire BBQ - 📍 1091 King's Highway 8, Stoney Creek
Featured on the You Gotta Eat Here food show that's aired in 93 countries, Memphis Fire BBQ is probably Ontario's favourite BBQ restaurant—and for good reason.
The Vibe
Authentic BBQ destination that's worth the trip. Since opening in 2010, Chef Steven Popp has honed his BBQ skills, and with his wife, a self-described culinary nerd, they've created a menu that draws locals and out-of-towners alike. The TV exposure has made it a true destination.
The Food
Serious BBQ done right. House-made sauces and spice mixes complement perfectly smoked meats. Everything is prepared with attention to traditional BBQ techniques and authentic flavours. This isn't fast food, it's craft BBQ.
Why We Love It
Memphis Fire BBQ has earned its reputation through consistent quality and authentic preparation. It's the kind of place BBQ enthusiasts seek out, and locals proudly bring visitors to show off Stoney Creek's food scene.
Perfect For
BBQ lovers, family dinners, casual meals, takeout nights, or anytime you're craving authentic Southern-style BBQ without leaving Hamilton.
What to order: Smoked meats with house-made sauces and classic BBQ sides.
👉 View Menu
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Picks
⛸️ Skate outside (bundle up + bring hot chocolate in a thermos)
🌿 Gage Park Greenhouse (free + warm!)
🎬 Happy Feet screenings (winter-themed fun for all ages)
🥍 Toronto Rock lacrosse (fast-paced + exciting for all ages)
🚗 Getting Around This Weekend
🚌 HSR: Check real-time alerts before you head out (detours happen fast).
🚧 Driving: The City's interactive map shows lane restrictions + scheduled road closures.
🅿️ Parking: Quick refresher—"through streets" are no-parking 2 AM–7 AM year-round.
🌡️ Weekend Weather Snapshot
Friday (Feb 6): Snow. High ~-1°C, low ~-19°C.
Saturday (Feb 7): Sunny. High ~-12°C, low ~-13°C.
Sunday (Feb 8): Mix of sun and cloud with 30% chance of snow. High ~-7°C, low ~-11°C.
🧠 Hamilton Life Hack of the Weekend
📲 Use Passport Parking when you can. It's the easiest way to extend your session without running back to the meter mid-dinner.
💛 That's Your Weekender
If you do one thing this weekend: grab tickets to HARDY or Shad if you're into live music, or catch Frost Queens for something uniquely Hamilton. Whatever you choose, bundle up, it's cold out there. 😄
💛 Your Voice Matters
Have a neighbourhood story, event, or city update we should feature next week?
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Thanks for reading!
Michael Horvath
