2017 Winterfest: Discover a city that doesn’t hibernate in the wintertime!

HAMILTON, ON – January 25, 2017 - The City of Hamilton invites the public to explore all that the city has to offer at this year’s Hamilton Winterfest. The 2017 program runs February 4 to 20 and includes winter-inspired neighbourhood celebrations, theatre, heritage and recreation programming and much more. 

At a time of year when many are tempted to hibernate at home, Hamilton’s Winterfest program encourages Hamiltonians to get out and experience the best of the city during the winter.

The City-facilitated program is celebrating its 39th year with more than 50 participating partners including neighbourhood associations, galleries, museums, and curling clubs presenting events over 17 fun-filled days. 

Program highlights

gritLIT’s  Winter's Tales
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Location: The Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. North
All Hamilton readers and writers are welcome for a fun-filled evening that includes a flash fiction contest, games, activities, winter tale readings, raffles, door prizes plus a sneak peek at the 2017 gritLIT Festival. Suitable for ages 14+​ Cost: $10

Jackie Washington Day
Date: Friday, February 10, 2017
Time: 12 noon to 1 pm
Location: Central Library, 55 York Blvd
Enjoy an afternoon honouring Jackie Washington through music, videos, historical photographs and historical materials. Adults 19+ yrs.  Cost: Free

McMaster Children and Youth University Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Time: 10:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Central Library, 55 York Blvd
Kids participate in interactive, hands-on activities to use what they already know to ask important questions about their world, discover new ideas and work together to create solutions to every-day challenges. Suitable for youth 7 to 13 years.  Cost: Free

Epic Blanket Fort Building with Hamilton Artist Inc. 
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
​Time: 12 noon to 5 pm
Location: Hamilton Artists Inc., 155 James St. North
​Come build blanket forts in the gallery! A family friendly activity followed by a movie screening after construction is completed. Fun for all ages! Free hot chocolate.  Cost: Free

La Nuit du Frisson Cirque Cabaret
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Location: The Cotton Factory 3rd floor event space, 270 Sherman Ave. North
A unique all-ages theatrical cabaret showcasing the fantastic aerial and stilt performances by Hamilton Aerial Group and their talented community of local artists who make puppets, costumes, music, dance and theatre.  Cost: $20 or pay what you can

Frost Bites 2017 presented by the Hamilton Fringe 
Dates: February 16 to 19, 2017
Time: 7 to 10 pm except Sunday at 1 pm
Location: Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. West
​Hamilton’s only site-specific performance festival featuring eight unique pieces throughout the AGH. Experience Hamilton’s thriving arts scene in an unexpected and affordable night out.  Cost: $25 single ticket (gets you in to see as many shows as you can); $40 Frequent Frost Pass (come back if you missed some of the shows); Children under 12 – $15

1,000 Bottles Waterfall (deLight Festival)
Dates: February 18 to 20, 2017
Time: 6 pm to 12 midnight
Location: Delta Park, 1100 Main St. East
Imagine winter being lit up by hundreds of used plastic water bottles with LED battery lamps inside each one of them! The more than 1,000 bottles will be forming a magical blue waterfall, all built and installed by volunteers.  Cost: Free

Family Day Fun
Date: Monday, February 20, 2017
Location: various locations
All Hamilton Civic Museums, the Hamilton Public Library, Fifty Point Conservation Area, the Art Gallery of Hamilton and more are offering free or affordable family-friendly activities on Family Day as part of Winterfest. See www.hamiltonwinterfest.ca for more details. 

About the City of Hamilton's Events Office

The City of Hamilton’s Events Office is proud to produce the Hamilton Winterfest Kick-Off event and assist in the promotion of Winterfest-partnered events across the city.  Hamilton’s Events Office, part of the Tourism and Culture Division, produces and facilitates a large number of events across the city that helps enhance civic pride, quality of life and provide economic spin off.

Hamilton Winterfest Kick-off Event

A Winterfest Kick-Off event will take place at Pier 8 on Hamilton’s beautiful waterfront on Saturday, February 4, 2017, 1 to 4 pm.  This family-friendly event celebrates winter, Canada-style – with outdoor skating, warming food and drinks, diverse music and performances and hands-on activities. All activities are free, except skate rental fees and refreshments.