Hamilton 
Labour Day long weekend events & activities including free, fun family & kids’ activities, live music, theatre & performing arts, sports and exhibitions. Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7, 2026
I. Family & Kids Activities this weekend
Royal Canadian Circus
September 3 – 7, 2026
Parking lot at Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
$20 – $35
Afro-CariBrant Festival 2026
Welcome to the 4th Afro-CariBrant Festival in Brant County, presented by Darmont GivesBack! Our festival is a celebration of the rich culture, traditions, and people of the African-Caribbean community in Brant County and beyond. We are proud to be a philanthropic initiative of Darmont Events, dedicated to giving back to the community through various charitable and community-focused activities. Details
September 5 & 6, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Paris Lions Park, 60 Laurel Street, Paris
FREE
Kingsview Community Church Fireworks Festival
End summer with a bang! Join us for our Kingsview Community Church Fireworks Festival—a fun-filled evening for the whole family as we celebrate the Labour Day long weekend together! Bring your friends, your family, and your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening packed with community fun, great food trucks, and a spectacular professional fireworks show to close out the night! Details
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | Festivities begin at 6:00 PM
Paramount Park, 1170 Paramount Drive, Stoney Creek Mountain
Free Admission
Hamilton Labour Day Parade and Picnic
Join Hamilton and District Labour Council for the annual Labour Day Parade and Picnic. Live entertainment, food, beer tent, family & children’s activities! Details
Monday, September 7, 2026
Parade Starts 10:30 AM at the corner of Bay Street and Stuart Street
Picnic following the parade and runs until 3:00 PM
Bayfront Park, 200 Harbourfront Drive, Hamilton
Free
Canada’s Largest Ribfest
Each year, Canada’s largest Ribfest features award-winning Ribbers from all over North America who show off their succulent skills and compete for titles such as “Best Sauce” and “Best Ribs”. The event takes place over Labour Day weekend and provides visitors with jam-packed, family-friendly fun, including musical entertainment, an artisan fair, activities for the kids, and, of course, messy, mouth-watering ribs! Details
September 4-7, 2026
Spencer Smith Park, Burlington
$2 to $4
African Lion Safari
Canada’s Original Safari Adventure – Get Closer Than You Ever Imagined to lions, giraffe, cheetah, rhinos and over 1,000 other exotic birds and animals! Details
Daily | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton
$26.95 – $53.95
You may like:
South Simcoe Railway Scenic Excursions
“All Aboard” for a scenic journey through the Beeton Creek Valley aboard South Simcoe Railway’s historic excursion train. Details
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM
Mill Street West in downtown Tottenham (~90 minutes from downtown Hamilton)
$9 to $18
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! Details
April 25 to October 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Brant-Brantford Twin Valley Zoo, 84 Langford Church Rd, Brantford
$12.50 – $24
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
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Paris Fair 2026
Midway rides and games, carnival food, demolition derbies, agricultural competitions, live family entertainment and so much more! Details
September 3 to 7, 2026
Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St, Paris
$10 – $22
Go Apple Picking
Delicious apples are ready to pick. Check out these farms for some great options
Do call the farms to confirm their hours before starting.
Places to Go For Apple Picking in Greater Toronto Area & Hamilton
Lazy River Floating or Tubing
There are various options around Hamilton for scenic lazy river-tubing. Experience one of them as you explore low-flowing rivers that are safe and surrounded by some of the province’s best examples of nature this labour day weekend.
Sunflower Fields and Mazes in Ontario
A visit to a sunflower farm is surely a cause for a smile, photo ops, and plenty of sunshine. Walk on a path through a sea of yellow flowers and purchase a specialty product from a store on-site to commemorate your summer experience. In Ontario, these flowers bloom for about two weeks only from early to late August/early September. Details
If you are going just for sunflowers, do call the farm to know more about the bloom condition.
Corn Mazes in Ontario
Get lost at world-famous corn mazes or at the one nearest to you for a memorable experience with the family or your bestie. Most of these farms also have a whole bunch of other great activities so you can enjoy the entire day picking pumpkins, milking goats, cuddling bunnies and so much more! Details
II. Live Music/Live Theatre/Performing Arts
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Hamilton
Enjoy free outdoor concerts at various locations in and around Hamilton.
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in Hamilton
Abbamania – Abba Tribute
Summer Cider Nights at the farm presents Abbamania performing live on The Porch! If you’re looking for an excuse to reminisce or simply be entertained by the best music there has ever been, then Abbamania is for you! Spend the night singing and dancing under the stars to some of ABBA’s greatest hits. Details
Septemebr 4 – 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Chudleigh’s, 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills
$26.25 – $35
The Best of Neil Diamond & Tom Jones
Get ready for an unforgettable night of legendary hits, and experience the timeless music of Neil Diamond and Tom Jones! Join us for a night of incredible music, great energy, and summer fun under the stars at Chudleigh’s. Details
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Chudleigh’s, 9528 Regional Road 25, Halton Hills
$20.25 – $27
Drive-in Movies
What better way to spend an enjoyable time with family than to watch a movie under the stars? Check out the Drive-in Theatres in Ontario.
Movies at Starlite Drive-In, Stoney Creek. Details
Movies at 5 Drive-In Oakville. Details
For more ideas, see Drive-In Theatres in Ontario
Various dates
III. Sports
Labour Day Classic – Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Toronto Argonauts
Monday, September 7, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Tim Hortons Field, 64 Melrose Ave N, Hamilton
Brantford Bulldogs
vs. Niagara IceDogs on Friday, September 4, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Brantford Civic Centre, Brantford
$15 & up
Forge FC
Cheer on Hamilton’s Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field. Details
vs. Inter Toronto FC on Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Tim Hortons Field, Hamilton
$28 & up
Bronte Rocks Regatta
The regatta is open to all yachts 20’ and over, Sharks, and limited one-design fleets. Details
September 5–6, 2026
Bronte Harbour Yacht Club, 2514 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville
There is no fee to race in this regatta.
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)
Go Hiking or Visit Nature Areas
City parks and green spaces, Provincial parks and conservation reserves, City of Hamilton Trails as well as Hamilton Conservation Authority conservation areas are open for people to enjoy some time with nature.
Enjoy a leisurely walk with the family at any of these locations:
- 25 of the Best Hiking Trails in Hamilton
- 25 Must Visit Nature Attractions and Parks in Hamilton
- 25 Fabulous Scenic Lookouts to Visit in Ontario
- 100 Adventures in Ontario Provincial Parks
- 25 Waterfalls to Visit Near Toronto
- 25 Nature and Wilderness Adventures in Ontario
IV. Exhibitions and Other Events
RBG After Dark: ANCHORBALL (19+)
RBG After Dark transforms ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey into a vibrant evening experience for adults. Explore the gardens after hours surrounded by 18 large-scale pop art sculptures, illuminated pathways, live entertainment, food, drinks, and interactive experiences throughout the night.
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 6:30 to 10:30 PM (final entry: 9 p.m.)
RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd W
$27 (+ HST & $2 Service Fee)
The Joy of Birding: Summer
Have you already been out exploring birds in the field but would like to learn more about the identification nuances between similar species? Are you interested in delving deeper into understanding bird behaviour, adaptations, and migration? If these questions ring true for you, then “The Joy of Birding” is the program for you! Details
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM
RBG Trails, Burlington
$25 per session + $2 service Fee & HST (Members 10% off)
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
Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 10:30 PM
RBG Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd. Hamilton
$20 per participant per session + $2 service Fee & HST (Members 10% off)
Dundas Ghost Walks
Ghosts, murders, mobsters and the infamous Death Pact in the beautiful town of Dundas. Featuring the Collins, Shawn & Ed Brewery, and a sinister history of old hotels. Plus more… Details
Friday September 4, 2026 | 8:00 PM
Grafton Square, 2 King St West, Dundas
$14.50 – $16
Le Burger Week
Throughout the week, burger aficionados everywhere are called upon to indulge in their city’s LBW burgers and vote for their favourite one! Details
September 1 to 7, 2026
Participating Restaurants
Varies with restaurants
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
Sundays: Favourite Stories in Film – Exploring Westfield as a Filming Location
Westfield has been the scene for some of our favourite episodes of Anne of Green Gables, Anne with an E and Murdoch Mysteries. Join long-time Westfield volunteer David for a guided tour of some of the locations where these productions were filmed. Tours will take place at 1, 2 and 3 PM. Photographs displayed throughout the site will help bring some of the scenes filmed at Westfield to life. At 2 PM, join Westfield staff Will and Cloe at the Bandstand as they share some of their experiences working on film sets at Westfield.
September 6 – 7, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Westfield Heritage Village, 1049 Kirkwall Rd, Rockton
Regular admission
Festival of Fountains – The Night Garden
Festival of Fountains – The Night Gardens introduces guests to a highly visual immersive visitor experience to indulge all your senses! This interpretive storytelling experience of music, water, and lighting invite guests to experience the scenic botanical beauty at Whistling Gardens 22 acre multi-award-winning botanical gardens. Details
Fridays & Saturdays, August 28 – September 26, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Whistling Gardens, 698 Concession 3 Townsend, Wilsonville
$20 to $32.50 + taxes and fees
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
Street Eats Market
Hamilton’s 75000 sq. ft. open-air street food market. Details
August 15 – September 20, 2026
Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth Street, Hamilton
Free entry
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
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.
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.
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
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
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 per person + Gate fee
Waterdown Farmers’ Market
The outdoor Saturday morning Market returns for its 11th season with special opening day activities including the Flamborough Horticultural Society’s Annual Spring Plant Sale and performances by talented local youth from CBY Music and Performing Arts, Waterdown Dancers’ Inc., and Waterdown Music Academy. Visit with 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
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, 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
Wednesday – Sunday, September 3 – October 31, 2026 | 5:45, 7:45 & 9:45 PM
Monday, September 7, 2026 | 5:45, 7:45 & 9:45 PM
200 Harbour Front Drive, Hamilton
$49.00 Per Person
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.
January 27, 2026 to February 14, 2027
Visitor Experience Centre, 28 James St N, Hamilton
Regular Admission
Go Fishing
You can cast a line and reel in that big catch at Ontario Provincial Parks.
Enjoy Fall in Hamilton
Whether fall makes you want to cozy up indoors, walk through the city, or explore the changing natural scenery, Hamilton has something for everyone. Details
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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