Royal Botanical Gardens
WINTER BREAK 2023 – 2024
Here’s a list of fun activities to enjoy as a family during the winter break from December 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
More Fun Things to Do During Winter Break
See Christmas Lights
1. Start your journey in a world of wonder as twinkling lights glimmer throughout the night at the Simcoe Panorama. See the big man in Red at the Wellington Park on December 23rd from 6 pm to 8 pm. Simcoe Panorama will be on until December 31, 2023.
2. Stroll through magical lighting displays at Spencer Smith Park. The Lakeside Festival of Lights display will be on until January 8, 2024.
3. Rusty Griswold’s Christmas Light Display will be running until January 7, 2024 at 2176 Devlin Drive, Burlington.
4. Follow incredible festive lights through picture-perfect Hendrie Park and discover something new at every turn at Winter Wonders. This festive experience can be enjoyed until January 7, 2024 and will be switched on from 5 pm to 10 pm. Closed on December 24 – 26, 31 & January 1.
5. See thousands and thousands of Christmas lights transform the beautiful gardens at Glenhyrst Art Gallery into a majestic winter wonderland. The lights will continue nightly until January 1st, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
6. Stroll the Illuminated Sugar Bush Trail and then make your way over to the Winterlit Trail for an experience with a little extra sparkle from December 28 t0 February 19. Winterlit will also be hosting special Enchanted Evenings with additional entertainment and activities like candle making on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
7. Every Thursday evening in December, enjoy the Burlington Festival of Lights from the rooftop at Joseph Brant Museum. This is a ticketed experience that can be enjoyed until December 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Visit Attractions
Hamilton offers a diverse range of attractions, from art at the Art Gallery of Hamilton to history at the Hamilton Toy Museum and the Military Museum. Explore family-friendly spots like the Hamilton Children’s Museum and natural escapes at Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area and Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
- Art Gallery of Hamilton
- The Hamilton Toy Museum
- Hamilton Military Museum
- Hamilton Children’s Museum
- Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area
- Bronte Creek Provincial Park
- Museum of Steam & Technology
- Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic Site
- Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
- Dundurn National Historic Site
- Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Treetop Trekking
- Whitehern Historic House & Garden National Historic Site
- McMaster Museum of Art – Closed December 22 – January 2
Visit Entertainment Centres
Experience a thrilling day in Hamilton with indoor go-karting, archery, or axe-throwing fun. Challenge your wits and test your problem-solving skills at escape rooms. Weather permitting, enjoy paintball at Cameron Speedway, or embrace your artistic side at Play With Clay. For more family-friendly entertainment, head to Flying Squirrel Hamilton, Splitsville Hamilton, or Jungle Hut Entertainment.
- Hamilton Indoor Go Karts
- Hamilton Archery Centre
- BATL Hamilton
- Bad Axe Throwing
- Lazer Mania
- Alcatraz Escape Rooms
- Crimson Codes Escape Rooms
- KeyMasters Escape Rooms
- Hanes Escape Rooms
- The Crux Escape Room Inc.
- Cameron Speedway and Amusement, weather permitting
- Play With Clay
- Flying Squirrel Hamilton
- Hamilton Archery Centre
- Splitsville Hamilton
- Jungle Hut Entertainment
- Next Level Escape Rooms
Winter Break Camps
Enrol your child for winter break camps.
- Winter Camps at RBG
- Winter Break Camps at Joseph Brant Museum
New Year’s Eve Activities
A list of things to do on New Years Eve in the Hamilton Region to ring in 2024.
Live Music and Theatre
Celebrate the holidays with music and theatre.
- JR DiGS 15th Annual Acoustic Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ The Music Hall – in Hamilton
- Hip for Hospice – The Music of The Tragically Hip performed by 50 Mission on Saturday, January 6, 2024 | 8:00 PM @ FirstOntario Concert Hall
- Pollyanna The Musical on December 6 – 23, 2023 @ Theatre Aquarius
- Candlelight: Holiday Special on December 15, 23, 28, 29, 2023 | 6:30 PM & 8:45 PM @ The Cotton Factory
- 12 Tricks of Christmas on Friday, December 22, 2023 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM @ Westdale Theatre
- ABBAMANIA on January 5 – 6, 2024 | 7:30 PM @ The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC)
- Salute To Vienna on Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 2:30 PM @ FirstOntario Concert Hall
- SING-A-LONG GREASE on Sunday, December 31, 2023 | 8:00 PM @ The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Other Events
- Visits with Santa at CF Lime Ridge on November 17 to December 25, 2023 @ CF Lime Ridge
- CF Music at CF Lime Ridge on November 18 – December 23, 2023 @ CF Lime Ridge
- Carnegie Christmas Market on November 13 – December 31, 2023
- Botanical Train Display on November 23, 2023 to January 7 , 2024 @ RBG Centre
- Christmas Evening Tours at Dundurn on December 22 – 23, 2023 | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Victorian Christmas on Tuesday to Sunday, November 28, 2023 – January 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ Dundurn National Historic Site
- A Christmas for the Ages on November 28, 2023 – to January 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM @ Whitehern Historic House and Garden
- RBG Express on Daily, November 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024
103rd Hamilton Christmas Bird Count
Join in on this tradition going back to a pair of adventurous birders in 1921 and which has grown into an annual outing with over a hundred participants scouring Hamilton for every bird that can be found and identified. Details
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Various locations, Hamilton
Sign up
Winter Past Times
Gather your family together, take a break from holiday shopping and step back in time. Walk the landscape of Battlefield Park and then experience the warmth, welcome and simplicity of an early 19th home in wintertime. The Gage Family home comes alive at this special time of year with evergreen boughs on the mantles and enticing aromas in the air. Details
Tuesday to Sunday, November 28, 2023 – January 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Battlefield National Historic Site, 77 King St W, Stoney Creek
Regular admission
Storytime
Join an interpreter to hear a fun seasonal story. Details
December 27–31, January 2–7 | 10:30 AM, 12:45 PM & 1:45 PM
Royal Botanical Gardens – RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington
General Admission
Winter Holiday Crafternoons at the Art Gallery of Burlington
It’s time to have some wintry holiday fun making art as a family! The projects are inspired by various exhibitions, and we’re continuing with our theme of FAMILY to respond to the beautiful works by Sybil Atteck and Chiedza Pasipanodya, along with pieces from our permanent collection currently on display. Spend a cozy afternoon at the gallery as a family finding inspiration and creating exciting artwork together! Details
December 27 – 29, 2023 & January 2 – 5, 2024
Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
Free and ticketed events, Reserve
Pyjama Screening
Kicking off the Christmas holidays with popular movies. Bring the kids in their PJs to special screening of the magical Christmas movies.
- Elf: The Epic Experience on Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- The Polar Express: Pyjama Party Screening on Saturday, December 23, 2023 | 10:00 AM
The Brick 39th Annual New Year’s Run
Our Virtual New Year’s Run is a 5K and 1K run is an event that can take place from any location you choose. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and at your own time. There are no restrictions. Details
Register and Participate from December 28, 2023 to January 31 2024
Wherever you are
$10 – $65
Toronto Rock
vs. New York Riptide on Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 4:00 PM
FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton
$26 & up
Family Fun at Fieldcote
Join us for some family-friendly fun over the winter break. There will beWinter Family Games including table-top board games and some outdoor Scavenger Hunt fun. There will also be crafts for all ages with a snowy winter theme! All this and a hot chocolate corner too! Details
December 29 – 30, 2023 & January 2 – 6, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Road, Hamilton
Museum admission rates apply
Winter Break Drop-In Activity Centre: Dig It! Archaeology 101
Archaeologists are a lot like detectives; they figure out how people lived in the past by looking at the objects they left behind. Visitors will assume the role of Archeologist using brushes to uncover artifacts and screens to sift found objects, and interpret the items they have discovered. Join us as we learn about how people lived in the past by looking at the objects that are left behind. Details
December 27 – 31, 2023 & January 2 – 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Hamilton Children’s Museum, 1072 Main Street East, Hamilton
Free; Museum admission rates apply
Brantford Bulldogs
vs. Barrie Colts on Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 4:00 PM
vs. Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday, January 7, 2024 | 2:00 PM
Brantford Civic Centre, Brantford
$15 & up
Children’s Activities
Keep your child engaged at home with these fun activities.
Winter Activities
Weather dependent
Winter Fun in Hamilton: Top Events, Festivals and Outdoor Adventures
Read More
1. If you haven’t tried winter golfing yet, now is a good time. Book your tee time at Chedoke – Martin Course for $25 per player. You may also want to check out the disc golf at King’s Forest Golf Club (December 1, 2023 – March 17, 2024). Call 905-546-4781 to book your spot. Fees are $6 plus HST for 18 holes, $10 plus HST for a full day.
2. Grab your skates and enjoy the season at the City’s skating rinks. City operated Outdoor ice rinks are open for public skating. Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink – Pier 8 will also open by mid-December (December 16). Check the ice status of HCA rinks here. Rinks will also be built in City parks from December 12 onwards by community volunteers, weather permitting. These rinks will be open until 11 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
3. Tobogganing is a popular activity enjoyed by many youngsters. Check out The City of Hamilton’s designated permitted toboggan hills. Permitted tobogganing hills are open at Chedoke Golf Club, Dundas Driving Park, Garth and Stone Church Reservoir, King’s Forest Golf Course, and Waterdown Memorial Park.
4. As winter approaches, head to Hamilton Conservation Authority conservation areas for fabulous have winter fun activities! From ice fishing to ice climbing, skating to winter camping, cross country skiing to hiking, there are many activities here that can only be enjoyed during the cold months. You can also check out some of the fabulous frozen waterfalls in the area.
5. Conservation Halton parks are open to the public for pre-reserved visits. Skiing in Kelso, winter hiking the Hilton Falls, winter camping at Rattlesnake Point, cross-country skiing are a few popular activities here.
6. Enjoy a family walk at the green spaces in Hamilton. Pack a picnic and plan to spend an afternoon outside playing games with your loved ones. Use the ParkFinder to find a park near you.
7. Find hidden treasures and discover the many geocaches located throughout Hamilton. This family-friendly activity uses a mobile app or a GPS device. There are many geocaches in HCA areas. This is also a fun way to interact with nature while getting mild exercise and explore new areas.
8. Birding is a fun activity to do in winter. What are the popular winter birds that you can spot? Can you notice any winter adaptation changes in them? Grab a pair of binoculars, download a bird ID app, and try to name all the birds that you can spot. The Bayfront trail and the Dofasco Trails are two bird hotspots in Hamilton. Use this guide to check out the birds in Birding in the Hamilton Area.
If you don’t want to venture outside do an unofficial count of the birds that visit your bird feeder.
9. For easy fun winter sports try snowshoeing. This is an excellent way to exercise in winter and a great way to enjoy the trails! Snowshoeing or skiing can also be enjoyed at King’s Forest Golf Course and Chedoke Golf Course. King’s Forest Golf Club has a 2.5 km long scenic winter walking trail. Nordic walking poles and snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.