😮 You Don't Want to Be the Person Who Skipped Hamilton This Week

Hey Hamilton 👋

JUNO Week is here. Hamilton is Canada's music capital for the next four days, and the city is packed from Thursday to Sunday. We've also got Cardi B and John Mulaney both landing on Tuesday (yes, the same night), a major hockey announcement you'll want to know about, and some well-earned end-of-season recognition for the Marauders. Let's get into it. 

--- Michael Horvath

Thu, Mar 26 @ 8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM) --- The Music Hall (24 Main St W)

JUNO Week officially begins Thursday night at The Music Hall. The lineup: James Barker Band, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha, Kalsey Kulyk, and The Redhill Valleys. This is the official launch of Canada's Biggest Week in Music, right here in Hamilton. Ticketed event.

👉 JUNO Awards

Thu, Mar 26 @ 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM --- Levity Comedy Club (120 King St W)

JUNO Week's official comedy showcase lands at Levity with two shows on Thursday. Hosted by Zabrina Douglas, the lineup features JUNO Award nominees Adam Christie, Charlie Demers, Dave Merheje, and Faris Hytiaa. Two completely separate shows (7:00 PM and 10:00 PM), both ticketed.

👉 Get Tickets

Fri, Mar 27 @ 8:00 PM --- FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Ln)

One of the most intimate events of JUNO Week. Nominated artists perform acoustic sets and share the stories behind their songs. This year's circle includes Aysanabee, Bahamas, Hayley Gene Penner, Jade LeMac, James Barker, Mariel Buckley, Savannah Re, and Sofia Camara. Recorded for broadcast. Tickets available.

👉 Get Tickets

Fri, Mar 27 and Sat, Mar 28 --- Multiple venues across Hamilton

Two nights. More than 100 Canadian artists. Dozens of shows across venues all over Hamilton, spanning indie rock, folk, hip-hop, electronic, R&B, and more. JUNOfest is the city-wide music festival within JUNO Week, and the best opportunity to discover new Canadian artists before anyone else does. Two-day passes and single-venue tickets are available.

👉 Get Tickets

Sat, Mar 28 @ 10:00 AM --- Hamilton Public Library Central Branch (55 York Blvd)

A free, family-friendly event hosted by Joojo Paintsil from CBC Kids' Hey Joojo!, featuring storytelling and music from Children's Album of the Year nominees. Performers include Ari Cui Cui, Chris McKhool, Ginalina, Hip Kids Music, and Young Maestro. Great for families who want a JUNO Week moment of their own.

👉 Learn More

Sun, Mar 29 @ 8:00 PM --- TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd)

Canada's Biggest Night in Music. Hosted by Mae Martin, with live performances from Arkells, The Beaches, Daniel Caesar, Allison Russell, Cameron Whitcomb, Sarah McLachlan, and William Prince. Special appearances by Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joni Mitchell and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Nelly Furtado. Airing live on CBC and CBC Gem. Hamilton nominees include Josh Ross, Counterparts, and Daniel Lanois.

👉 Get Tickets

Tue, Mar 31 @ 8:00 PM --- TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd)

Cardi B brings her Little Miss Drama Tour to TD Coliseum on the last night of March, promoting her latest album Am I The Drama? One of the most anticipated rap shows of the year. Hamilton is the second stop on her Canadian run, following a Toronto show the night before.

👉 Get Tickets

Tue, Mar 31 @ 7:30 PM --- FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Ln)

One of the most acclaimed stand-up comedians working today brings his current tour to Hamilton on the exact same night as Cardi B. Two massive shows in the city on a Tuesday. VIP experiences available. Tickets selling fast.

👉 Get Tickets

•   Goo Goo Dolls --- Thu, Apr 2, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Monster Jam Freestyle Mania --- Apr 17-19, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Old Dominion --- Thu, Apr 23, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Stars on Ice --- Sat, May 2, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Three Days Grace --- Sun, May 3, 2026 TD Coliseum

•   Charlie Puth --- Wed, May 20, 2026 TD Coliseum

👉 Full calendar: TD Coliseum Events

The New York Islanders and Oak View Group announced this week their intent to relocate the Islanders' AHL affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Hamilton, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Pending AHL Board of Governors approval, this would mark the return of professional hockey to Hamilton for the first time since the Bulldogs era. The team name, logo, and ticketing details will be announced after league sign-off.

👉 Pollstar

The next Theatre Aquarius production is one for the calendar: It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, the world premiere Tragically Hip jukebox musical written by Brian Hill and Ahmed Moneka, opens April 22 and runs to May 16. Produced by Mirvish Productions and Michael Rubinoff (Come From Away). Tickets on sale now.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

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

The best way to ease into a massive week. Amateur Night at Levity every Wednesday is always a good call. Low-key, affordable, and the kind of night that surprises you.

👉 Levity Comedy Club

Thu, Mar 26 @ 8:00 PM (Doors 7:30 PM) --- Ridiculous Night Club, Hamilton

Jim Cuddy brings his annual JUNO Week tradition to Hamilton, with The Devin Cuddy Band also on the bill. An intimate and special night of Canadian music from one of the country's most respected artists, running alongside the official JUNO Kickoff Concert down the street.

👉 Eventbrite

The offseason roster build is largely in place. With national QB Tre Ford adding depth behind starter Bo Levi Mitchell, and a receiving corps that now includes Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Keric Wheatfall, Mario Alford, Tyson Middlemost, and Shemar Bridges, the Tiger-Cats are shaping up for training camp. The CFL Draft is April 28, and all camps open May 10.

⏳ 64 days until the first preseason game (Sat, May 23, 2026 vs Toronto @ 7:00 PM, Hamilton Stadium)

👉 Ticats

Nine days to go. Forge FC opens the 2026 CPL season at home on Saturday, April 4, against Atletico Ottawa (12:00 PM kickoff). A strong early-season home opener to put in the calendar.

👉 Forge FC

The Rock continue their season as the NLL heads toward the postseason. Check the schedule for any remaining home dates at TD Coliseum.

👉 Toronto Rock

McMaster hosted the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships at the Markham Pan Am Centre (March 12-14). UBC swept both the men's and women's team titles, but McMaster's Fiona Brophy set a new program record in the women's 100m backstroke (1:01.23) during the meet. The Marauders closed the winter season with a wave of national recognition: Abby Delamere (U SPORTS Community Service Award), Olivia Julien (U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian, women's volleyball), and Mekhi Fitzgerald (U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, men's volleyball). A proud finish to the 2025-26 season.

👉 McMaster Marauders

Navigating JUNO Week is much easier with the official app. Real-time schedules, venue info, and updates across all events throughout the week.

👉 JUNO Awards

Pending AHL approval, the New York Islanders' AHL affiliate is coming to TD Coliseum for the 2026-27 season. Professional hockey returns to Hamilton. Team name, branding, and tickets to follow.

👉 Learn More

Don't sleep on this one: It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, the world premiere Tragically Hip musical, opens at Theatre Aquarius on April 22. Produced by Mirvish Productions. Tickets are available now.

👉 Theatre Aquarius

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is always worth a midweek stop downtown. A coffee-and-culture pairing that works especially well during JUNO Week.

👉 Art Gallery of Hamilton

A stacked week from start to finish:

•   Wed: Amateur Night at Levity Levity Comedy Club

•   Thu: JUNO Kickoff Concert at The Music Hall (8 PM) or JUNO Comedy Show at Levity (7 PM or 10 PM) JUNO Awards

•   Fri: JUNO Songwriters' Circle at FirstOntario Concert Hall (8 PM) + JUNOfest venues all night JUNO Awards

•   Sat: JUNOfest (night two) + Junior JUNOs at Hamilton Public Library (10 AM, families) JUNO Awards

•   Sun: 55th Annual JUNO Awards at TD Coliseum (8 PM, live on CBC) Get Tickets

•   Tue: Cardi B at TD Coliseum (8 PM) and John Mulaney at FirstOntario Concert Hall (7:30 PM) TD Coliseum

Hamilton, this is your week. Canada is watching, the venues are full, and the city gets to show the whole country exactly what The Hammer is made of. Whether you catch the JUNOs on Sunday night, stumble into a JUNOfest show you didn't plan for, or just soak up the energy downtown, lean into it. These are the weeks you remember. 🎶

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

See you out there, Hamilton 👋

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Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath