Hamilton 
August long weekend events & activities in Hamilton, including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports, and exhibitions. Friday, July 31 – Monday, August 3, 2026
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Festival of Friends
The Festival of Friends is back for three full days of music, food, arts, crafts, and more! The 2026 Festival of Friends! features Feist, Dallas Smith, and a special All-Star 50th Anniversary concert! Details
July 31 to August 2, 2026
Gage Park, Hamilton
Free
Lucky Lion Night Market
Come hungry! Bring the entire family to Hamilton’s annual Lucky Lion Night Market and celebrate Asian culture and cuisine. Details
July 31 – August 2, 2026
Bayfront Park, 200 Harbour Front Dr., Hamilton
Free
Sunflower Fest at Brantwood Farms
August 1 – 3, 7 – 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
351 German School Road, Paris
$13 + tax per person; children under 2 enter free
Milk and Honey: A Dairy Delicious Day
Join Westfield Heritage Village for a tasty, immersive, and hands on experience at Dairy Delicious. This family-friendly event explores the history, science, and traditions of dairy and honey production in Ontario from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s through hands-on activities, demonstrations, games, and interactive experiences across the village.
August 2 – 3, 2026 | Two-hour time slots 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Westfield Heritage Village 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton
All visitors, including HCA Membership Pass holders must pre-register for the event. This event is free for HCA Membership Pass holders, but required to pay $10 Reservation fee.
Non-HCA Members $10.00, Vehicle Fee: $11.00, Per Person Fee: $5.50 per person. Ages 5 and under are free.
You may like:
Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival
The Halton Freedom Celebration Festival brings together musical acts, children’s and youth activities, cultural art, food, crafts; heritage, historical, and genealogical vendors promoting inclusivity and community integration. Details
HBHAS Emancipation Gala | Friday, July 31, 2026
Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival | Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Spencer Smith Park/Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington
Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival is Free; Gala is ticketed
Emancipation Day at Fieldcote
Join us on August 1st at Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum to honour Emancipation Day, marking the abolition of slavery across the British Empire, and celebrate the resilience and vibrancy of the Black Community. Come together on Fieldcote’s beautiful seven-acre grounds as we recognize this important day and honour the life and legacy of Enerals Griffin, of Griffin House National Historic Site.
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Road
Free outdoor activities.
The Royal Duck Bounce House
The Royal Duck Bounce Park is bringing giant inflatables, slides, and family fun for all ages. Whether you’re making memories, burning off energy, or planning a fun day out together, this summer adventure is made for kids, families, and anyone ready to play. Details
July 9 – August 2, 2026
Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
General Admission: $28.99/person
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
You may like:
Other Activities
- There are lots of activities at the Hamilton Public Library every weekend. Don’t forget to check them out!
- Visit the Twin Valley Nature Park
- Explore African Lion Safari
- Visit Clovermead Adventure Farm
- Enjoy Yoga with Goats
- Visit the Whistling Gardens
You may like:
II. Live Music
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Hamilton
Enjoy free outdoor concerts at various locations in and around Hamilton.
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Hamilton
Shane Cook & The Woodchippers
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William St (@ Ferguson), Hamilton
$25 – $80
Music on the Waterfront
Listen to live music at the Hamilton Waterfront on Thursdays in the summer. Details
Thursdays, June 4 – August 27, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Waterfront Stage Pier 8, Discovery Drive, Hamilton
Free; Donations appreciated
Dundas Live and Local
Enjoy the vibes in Downtown Dundas all summer long with live music, birthday celebrations, active art events, historic walking tours and other fun events each and every Saturday this summer. Details
Saturday, June 13 – August 29, 2026
Memorial Square, King & Sydenham, Downtown Dundas
Free admission
I-dle: Syncopation WORLD TOUR
With the latest album “2” at its forefront, the five-member K-pop sensation will be touring many destinations to promote the latest hits including “Super Lady” and fan favorites like “Tomboy,” “Queencard,” and “Nxde” and the best part is that you get first dibs on access. Details
Saturday, August 2, 2026 |
TD Coliseum, Hamilton
ticketed
III. Sports
Hamilton Cardinals
It’s Pajama Party Night, so break out your favorite PJs and enjoy a relaxed, fun-filled evening at the ballpark. Expect cozy vibes, themed entertainment, and plenty of laughs throughout the night as the Cardinals take on the Baycats in exciting baseball action.
It’s Special Delivery Night, packed with surprises, unexpected moments, and fun around every corner. You never know what might show up at the ballpark, so be sure to join us for a unique and exciting afternoon as the Cardinals take on the Royals.
Pajama Party vs. Barrie Baycats on Friday, July 31, 2026 | 7:35 PM
Special Delivery Night vs Guelph Royals on Monday, August 3, 2026 | 7:35 PM
Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium, 1100 Mohawk Rd E, Hamilton
$17.39
Yoga at the Gardens
Saturdays, June 13 – September 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd W, Hamilton
Full season: $350 + service fee & HST (Members 10% off)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats play against the Calgary Stampeders at Tim Hortons Field. Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Hamilton Stadium, 64 Melrose Ave N, Hamilton
$19 and up + applicable taxes and fees
IV. Exhibitions and Other Events
Summer Salsa Fest
Join us at Pier 4 Park, Hamilton, for a vibrant outdoor salsa celebration under the summer sky. Celebrate vibrant salsa music, dance performances, and community fun all day long. Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Pier 4 Park, 64 Leander Drive, Hamilton
$25 – $40
Downtown Hamilton Ghost Walks
Traditional Ghost Tour with stories around real history and ghosts. Featuring haunted landmarks like the Royal Connaught, Right House, Hamilton Place, St. Paul’s Church & the Pigott Building. Details
Friday, July 31, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Royal Connaught Courtyard, 118 King St E, Hamilton
$14.50 – $16
Escape the Ghost Ship
Prepare to weigh anchor and set sail in a brand-new immersive escape adventure! Tonight’s the night you and your crew plan to steal a ship for your very own–but no one expects the abandoned ship in the harbour to be the cursed ghost ship of Bethany Bishop! Now, in order to secure the ship (and your immortal souls), you’ll need to help free the ghosts of Bethany Bishop and her crew, before the curse claims its next victims… Details
select dates, June 6 – October 31, 2026 | 5:45, 7:45 & 9:45 PM
200 Harbour Front Drive, Hamilton
$49.00 Per Person
Dundas Live and Local – Something Every Saturday
Enjoy the vibes in Downtown Dundas all summer long with live music, birthday celebrations, active art events, historic walking tours and other fun events each and every Saturday this summer. Details
Saturday, June 13 – August 29, 2026
Memorial Square, King & Sydenham, Downtown Dundas
Free admission
Hawk Walk
Experience having a free-flying hawk fly and land next to you! During this private program, you will join our Raptor Centre staff and one of our trained Harris’s Hawks for a walk through a picturesque field setting. Details
Saturdays & Sundays, June 20 – September 6, 2026 | 9:30 AM
Mountsberg Conservation Area (Reservations Required), Milburough Line, Campbellville
$149 +HST plus park admission for a maximum of 2 people
ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey
Explore the vibrant sculptural universe of artist and contemporary sculptor Ken Kelleher, internationally known as Anchorball. This massive outdoor exhibition transforms the garden into a vivid sculptural landscape where bold characters, imaginative narratives, and contemporary form merge with nature and blooms to create a world that feels full of wonder, yet deeply recognizable. Details
June 20 to September 20, 2026
Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington
Included in your Garden Admission ticket or RBG Membership.
Let’s Go Birding: Summer
Would you like to learn about Ontario bird species and how to identify them in the field? Are you interested in taking up birding as a hobby? If either of these questions resonate with you, then “Let’s Go Birding” is the program for you!
Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
RBG Trails, Burlington
$25 per session + $2 service Fee & HST (Members 10% off)
Meet Me at the Bandshell
Tapping into the spirit of live music and the power of community, this exhibit celebrates the shared joy of gathering for music. From intimate performances to energetic festivals, Meet me at the Bandshell explores the role of the community in bringing these events to life. This exhibit highlights some of the grassroots festivals that have sprouted from Fieldcote, Ancaster, and Hamilton, touching on key moments in their history and their prevalence today.
June 20, 2026, to March 21, 2027
Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Road
Regular admission
Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music
Celebrate Hamilton, City of Music with this new exhibition! The show will highlight local musicians, from Jackie Washington to Boris Brott, Terra Lightfoot and the Arkells, as well as the industry that helps to create and share this music.
Explore stories from Hamilton’s many recording studios and learn about the contributions of promoters, venue owners, songwriters, photographers and sound engineers to your favourite Hamilton songs, before stepping back and reveling in the nostalgia of iconic Hamilton concerts and music venues, past and present.
January 27, 2026, through February 14, 2027
Tuesdays through Saturdays | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Visitor Experience Centre, 28 James St N, Hamilton
Free
Heritage Week 2026: Opening Ceremony
Join Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Indigenous Spiritual Healer White Eagle and Town Crier David Vollick and other special guests at the Pavillion as we formally launch Heritage Week 2026.
The ceremony will include organizations and businesses with notable anniversaries including recognition certificates and other activities. Enjoy beautiful music by Olivia Brown, a multi-talented musician, singer and teacher before and after the ceremony, starting at 9:45 a.m.
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 10:0 AM – 11:00 AM
LaSalle Park Pavilion, 50 North Shore Blvd. East, upper level ballroom
Registration not required
Heritage Week 2026
Heritage Week 2026 is a time to celebrate the many aspects of Burlington’s various heritages. A sub-committee with over 35 representatives from various organizations, departments and individuals has worked together for many months to offer residents and visitors a very special week of heritage events.
This year’s theme is Waterways of Life: Connecting our Cultures and Heritages.
August 1 – 8, 2026
Various locations across Burlington
All events offer free admission, though some require pre-registration, and have refreshments available for purchase. Non-perishable food donations for the Burlington Food Bank will be accepted.
1939-45: Collection Highlights
The museum’s collection consists of over 15,000 small artifacts and archival material relating to the First and Second World War, the Cold War, and beyond.
This exhibit features some of the most interesting and unique items held in our vault from the period of 1939 to 1945. The artifacts featured hold personal memories for the people who donated them to our collection and are shared throughout the exhibit.
Ongoing
Wednesday to Sunday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope
Exhibition is FREE with admission. Regular admission rates are Adult (18 – 64) $14.25, Senior (65+) $12.50, Student (13 – 17) $12.50, Youth (6 – 12) $9.75. Free admission for museum members and children 5 & under.
Family Birding: Summer
Does your family enjoy outdoor adventures? Would you like to learn about Ontario bird species and how to identify them in nature? Are you interested in taking up birding as a family hobby? If any of these questions resonate with you, then “Family Flock Adventures” is the program for you! Details
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
RBG Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd. Hamilton
$20 per participant per session + $2 service Fee & HST (Members 10% off)
Waterdown Farmers’ Market
The outdoor Saturday morning Market is open for its 11th season. Visit your favourite returning vendors and meet new vendors. Details
Saturdays, until October 17, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551, 79 Hamilton St North
Free
Discovery at the Fishway
Watch RBG ecologists at work as they assist migrating fish to their spawning grounds in Cootes Paradise Marsh! The Fishway is located at the outlet of Cootes Paradise Marsh, a short walk from Princess Point accessed along the Desjardins Trail. Details
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, July & August 2026 | 2:30 PM
The Fishway RBG, 680 Plains Rd W
FREE to attend, on-site parking fees apply at Princess Point (parking free of charge when displaying a member parking pass).
FREE to attend, on-site parking fees apply at Princess Point (parking free of charge when displaying a member parking pass).
Paddling in Paradise: Summer Canoe Tours
Explore Cootes Paradise by canoe to get a glimpse of the astounding life that depends on a healthy marsh for survival.
Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
RBG – Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Road
Pre-Registration Required; $45/session + $2 service Fee & HS
Talons and Tailfeathers
If you’re looking for a closer encounter with the Mountsberg Raptors then you’ll love Talons & Tailfeathers. Learn all about the amazing features of raptors and meet a few of our resident raptors up close. Details
Saturdays & Sundays, until September 6, 2026 | 11 AM & 1:00 PM
Mountsberg Conservation Area (Reservations Required), Milburough Line, Campbellville
$10 +HST per person plus park admission
Visit the Twin Valley Nature Park
Brant-Brantford Twin Valley Nature Park is a 25-acre, family-run, wildlife park, home to over 80 species of animals including; Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Birds, Bears, Deer, Alpaca, Primates, and so much more! Details
April 25 to October 25, 2026
Twin Valley Nature Park, 84 Langford Church Rd, Brantford
$12.50 – $24
The World of Bees Show
Spend some time with the beekeeper and see and learn some unique bee things. Try pumping the bellows of the bee smoker, or perhaps, if you dare, you can touch a stingless drone bee. Meet the queen, listen, and smell a hive up close. Slide your hand into a warm beehive. Details
Monday – Saturday, June 27 – September 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Clovermead Honey Shop & Adventure Farm, 11302 Imperial Road, Aylmer
$22 – $25 + HST
African Lion Safari
Canada’s Original Safari Adventure – Get Closer Than You Ever Imagined to lions, giraffes, cheetah, rhinos, and over 1,000 other exotic birds and animals! Details
Daily May 2 – September 20 and select dates from September 23 to October 11, 2026
African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton
$26.95 – $53.95
Friday Unwinds
Kick off your weekend with a variety of fun activities every Friday night during the summer, complete with guided dance lessons taking place every other week. Details
July 31, 2026 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
King William Street at James St., Hamilton
Free
Saturday Pop-Up Markets
King William transforms into a Pop-Up Marketplace from 11 am to 5 pm. Grab coffee or lunch on Restaurant Row and browse the offerings from some of Hamilton’s most exciting local artists and entrepreneurs until September 5. Details
August 1, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
King William Street at James St., Hamilton
Free
Visit the Whistling Gardens
If you haven’t been to the Whistling Gardens before, plan a trip and see why Whistling Gardens is voted as one of Canada’s Best Botanical Gardens. Details
Wednesday through Sunday, until Thanksgiving Monday
Whistling Gardens Ltd., 698 Concession 3, Wilsonville
$8.95 to $16.80
Yoga at the Gardens
Join Pamela as she focuses on a blend of movement and stillness, strength and flexibility, breath and awareness. Suitable for all levels. This program takes places outdoors at various garden locations. Details
Saturdays, June 13 – September 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
Full season: $350 + service fee & HST (Members 10% off)
Sunsets and Vines
Join us for Sunsets and Vines Music Nights on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer! Details
Friday and Saturday, June 19 – August 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ridge Road Estate Winery, 1205 Ridge Road, Stoney Creek
$10 cover
The Mad Hatter Tea — A Wonderland Afternoon Tea
The Mad Hatter Tea is a afternoon tea experience where classic tradition meets playful imagination. Guests are invited to discover a tower of curious savouries, imaginative patisserie, and enchanting confections designed to transport you into the Hatter’s eccentric world — one delicious bite at a time….. Details
Saturday – Sunday, June 6 – August 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Persona, 14 James St N, Hamilton
$65.00 per person
ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey
Explore the vibrant sculptural universe of artist and contemporary sculptor Ken Kelleher, internationally known as Anchorball. This massive outdoor exhibition transforms the garden into a vivid sculptural landscape where bold characters, imaginative narratives, and contemporary form merge with nature and blooms to create a world that feels full of wonder, yet deeply recognizable. Details
June 20 to September 20, 2026
Hendrie Park, 680 Plains Rd. W., Burlington
Included in your Garden Admission ticket or RBG Membership.
You may like:
Exhibition Tours
Guided tours are an excellent way to explore the exhibitions on display and gain a deeper understanding of the work. Drop in to hear more about the artist’s ideas and process, and have a chance to converse with others about what you see. Details
Saturdays and Sundays | 1:00 pm
Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King Street West, Hamilton
Regular admission
AGH Summer Camp 2026
AGH Summer Camp offers campers the opportunity to explore AGH exhibitions and art-making through a variety of materials and techniques, with new activities planned daily! Details
July 20 – 24, 27 – 31, August 10 – 14, 17 – 21, 2026 | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King Street West, Hamilton
Registration Required
$375 Regular Pricing; $325 AGH Member Pricing
HCMS Haida Main Deck Tour
A guided tour that immerses you in the daily life of the ship’s company. After a brief introduction, this 45-minute experience takes you across the ship’s main deck, including crew living quarters, cooking facilities, and a radio room. Details
Fridays, June 19 to September 6, 2026 | 10:00 AM
HMCS Haida National Historic Site
$18.02 per person
Tickets are pre-booked only.
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
- 25 of the Best Hiking Trails in Hamilton
- 25 Must Visit Nature Attractions and Parks in Hamilton
- 25 Scenic Waterfalls to See During Winter
We do try to make the listings as accurate as possible, but there may be typographical/oversight errors or events may be cancelled or postponed without any notice. Verify all details from concerned event Websites/officials.
Bookmark this page and check back next week for more weekend activities.
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