Holly Jolly Hometowns … The Hamilton Edition

Get a sky-high Ferris Wheel view of one of Canada’s coolest cities ✔️
Bundle up and enjoy a pint on the patios of a rapidly growing collection of craft breweries ✔️
Tour a Christmas castle at night ✔️

Take It Outside

Head to Gore Park for a frosty free ride on the Ferris Wheel. The Ferris Wheel will run from noon until 8 pm every Thursday to Sunday from December 5 to December 20.

Give A Little Piece of Hamilton

Support local businesses AND wrap up something they’ll love with a beautifully curated gift package. Great local options include Detour Coffee’s Holiday Gift Pack, West Avenue Cider House’s Orchard Experience Package, Radius’ Love Local Gift Baskets or Leaning Post Winery’s Holiday Gift Pack.

Stock Up For Holiday Cooking

For one-stop shopping for everything you’ll need for fantastic holiday meals for your bubble, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Hamilton’s huge Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Read this helpful guide before you go!

Experience Christmas In A Castle

Enjoy a truly unique opportunity to experience Dundurn Castle in the evening while it’s beautifully decorated for Christmas. The year’s socially distanced event will include an intimate, guided tour of Sir Allan MacNab’s lavish home led by costumed interpreters, live harp music and a display of Victorian Christmas foods in Dundurn’s historic kitchen. Tickets are $25 per person, and pre-registration is required.

Event dates: December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 27

Score One-of-a-Kind Finds

Hamilton’s distinctive neighbourhoods are brimming with creative holiday gift ideas. This holiday, independent retailers need your support more than ever, so consider exploring a new neighbourhood to find some great new shops. Choose from:

International Village

Concession Street district

Sip Holiday Hops

Hamilton’s craft brewers are definitely all aboard the holiday train! Collective Arts’ Cranberry and Blood Orange Cider is a beautifully tart but sweet holiday sipper. Merit Brewing’s online shop is stocked with all kinds of gift options including gift cards, interesting preserves, and a really cute market tote. Grain and Grit’s online shop is filled with cute branded merchandise, including a “Brewed in Hamilton” onesie that would be a perfect gift for craft brew fans with a baby on the way in 2021!

Take A Night Off From Holiday Cooking

Hometown Hub makes finding a new restaurant and showing a little local love while you’re at it easier than ever. While you wait for your order, check off a few items on your holiday shopping list using the site’s other resources, including local online shopping sites and local gift card options.

Explore A Little More

Round out your day of winter exploring in Hamilton with additional activity and dining suggestions from Tourism Hamilton and nearby Stoney Creek.

Holly Jolly Hometown Fun

Discover more ways to get into the holiday spirit with these day trip ideas to the Grand River, Halton Hills, Burlington, Oakville, Dundas and Ancaster.

Hamilton Looks Forward To Seeing You Safely

As the COVID-19 situation in Ontario continues to change, a minute or two of extra planning is an important step in ensuring hiccup-free holiday adventures. Follow the latest travel and safety guidelines for your community and any communities you plan to visit. Check with the places you plan to go to in advance to see if reservations or activity bookings are required. On the day of your trip, do a quick check to verify the places on your agenda are open and serving visitors in the way you’re expecting. Please remember to wear a mask, practice safe distancing and regularly sanitize and wash your hands.