Things to Do in Hamilton This Weekend: July 3–5, 2026
It’s a Canada Day hangover weekend — July 4th and 5th — and Hamilton has a solid two days lined up. Whether you’re in the mood for ghost stories in Dundas, CFL football under the lights, or a spooky summer market with a twist, there’s enough going on to fill a proper weekend. Here’s what’s worth your time.
Walk the Dark Side of Dundas on a Ghost Tour
Saturday, July 4 · 8:30–10:00 PM · Dundas · Free to explore, tour ticketed
If you’ve never done a ghost walk in Dundas, this Saturday night is your chance. The tour winds through the old town uncovering tales of murder, local legends, and things that go bump — all delivered through genuinely good storytelling that makes the history stick. It’s a perfect summer evening activity: cool air, dim streets, and a good excuse to grab a drink somewhere in Dundas before or after.
Catch the Tiger-Cats Take On the Blue Bombers at Hamilton Stadium
Sunday, July 5 · 7:00 PM · Hamilton Stadium · Tickets required
Sunday evening brings CFL action to the lower city as the Ti-Cats host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. There’s something about a summer night game — the lights, the crowd, the smell of stadium food — that holds up every single time. Grab tickets, get there early, and make a proper night of it.
Hit a Spooky Summer Market in St. Catharines (Yes, in July)
Saturday, July 4 · 12:00–7:00 PM · Merritton Community Centre, St. Catharines · Free
Halloween in July is exactly what it sounds like: a summer market with spooky vibes, local vendors, food trucks, costumes encouraged, and a full afternoon of community energy. It’s a short drive from Hamilton and a genuinely fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon — especially if you’ve got kids who don’t understand why Halloween only happens once a year.
Sign the Kids Up for Free Summer Drop-In Activities at Local Parks
Weekdays, now through August 28 · Parks across Hamilton · Free
If you’ve got kids at home this summer, Hamilton’s Supie program is running free drop-in activities at neighbourhood parks across the city all season long. Crafts, active games, sports equipment — it varies by location and day, but it’s free and it’s built to keep kids busy. Worth bookmarking for the weeks ahead.
Program details and locations →
Also Worth Knowing
- Coming soon — Ruby’s on Ottawa Street: The team behind Artie’s on Locke and Rosales Diner is opening a compact takeaway sandwich shop at 193B Ottawa Street North, right beside the Avon Theatre. Targeting mid- to late August. Follow along on Instagram →
- Coming soon — Something New on Concession: A community retail-and-café space with vendor cubicles and weekly events opens July 25 at 416 Concession St. One to watch for local makers and shoppers alike. More info on Facebook →
- Coming soon — The James Public Eatery: A casual comfort-food spot with bold global flavours is on its way to 229 James St. North later this summer. Follow for updates →
- Coming soon — RUDY Burgers in Ancaster: The Toronto smash burger favourite is opening its first Hamilton-area location at 1100 Golf Links Road. Signage is up; opening date TBD. Follow on Instagram →
- Next Friday — Art Crawl on James North (July 10): The monthly block-party-meets-street-festival returns to James Street North with local art, live performances, and vendors. Always a good one. What to expect →
- Save the date — Concerts in the Garden (July 9): Lido Pimienta joins the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Botanical Gardens for what sounds like a genuinely special evening. Details and tickets →
- Save the date — Hamilton Fringe Festival (July 15–26): More than 50 companies, 400+ performances — theatre, improv, comedy, dance. Mark your calendar now. Full lineup →
- Save the date — Supercrawl 2026 (September 11–13): The full lineup is out, and it’s a strong one. Headliners include Aysanabee, Murda Beatz, William Prince, Protest the Hero, and The Grapes of Wrath. Free, as always. See the full lineup →
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That’s your weekend, Hamilton. Go enjoy it. 🔨
