Go-to summer festivals in the Hamilton area this year
With summer on the way, now is the perfect time to plan out what to do during the warmest time of the year.
There are plenty of festivals to attend in Hamilton, whether you're interested in music, beer or comics.
Here is what you can look forward to:
Country fans can enjoy a weekend of performances, a bonfire, the R2i TuneUp Conference and the 13th annual awards ceremony at the Country Music Association of Ontario Festival and Awards. Jason McCoy, from the Road Hammers and Pure Country Radio, will host various acts, such as Andrew Hyatt, Sacha and Nations.
Tickets range from $40 to $199. For more information, go to
cmaontario.ca/2021-cmaontario-awards-nominees-announced-2
.
The show will be held at The Music Hall (
24 Main St. W.
) on Friday, May 1, and The Textile Building (
10 George St.
) on Saturday, May 2. Awards will be presented on the festival's last day at The Music Hall.
Walk Off the Earth plays at Burlington's Sound of Music Festival in 2017.
The Hamilton Arts Council is hosting a week of art in June, featuring local artist performances and art showcases at venues around the city, including The Cotton Factory. There will be different exhibits, including a sound and video installation to explore Hamilton's industrial noise and a two-hour Caribbean-jazz-gospel-themed concert.
For more details, go to
hamiltonartscouncil.ca/artsfestival
.
The annual free children's art festival is back in Gage Park (
1000 Main St. E.
) in early June. The festival will feature workshops from local dancers, music and poets.
For more details, go to
imagineinthepark.com
.
Big Wreck, David Wilcox and Junkhouse are a few of the artists set to perform at this year's Sound of Music Festival in Burlington's Spencer Smith Park (
1400 Lakeshore Rd.
). The festival is free and will include a parade of marching bands, floats, performers and vintage cars on Saturday.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs since bleachers will not be available this year.
For more details on the festival, go to
soundofmusicfestival.ca/schedule
.
Hamilton will host Ontario's biggest francophone festival for a weekend in the Gage Park bandshell at
1000 Main St. E.
The event will include francophone concerts and family activities.
For more details, go to
facebook.com/francofesthamilton
.
Lead dancer Christine Restoule of Dokis First Nation dances with others in the ring during the Soaring Spirit Pow Wow in 2023 at Battlefield Park.
The Indigenous festival will have its 28th annual event in Battlefield Park in Stoney Creek to celebrate National Indigenous People's Day. Over three days, there will be workshops, ceremonies, live entertainment and the Native Arts, Craft, Trade and Food Show. There will also be sunrise ceremonies, drumming, dancing, music and art.
For more details, go to
soaringspiritpowwow.com
.
The Brott Music Festival is back for its 38th season, kicking off with a red carpet and music from the National Academy Orchestra of Canada before a Romeo and Juliet ballet performance, an immersive Beethoven symphony performance and Christmas musical show.
Tickets are available for all performances at
brottmusic.com
.
This free festival is perfect for family and friends, full of music, entertainment, art and food. The festival will be held at Gage Park in Hamilton.
For more details, go to
itsyourfestival.ca
.
Matthew Good and His Band, Terra Lightfoot and Down With Webster will perform at the Pier 4 Park (
64 Leander Dr.
) festival. Attendees will have access to hundreds of craft beers, ciders and cocktails.
Tickets are
$111 for the whole weekend, or $67 for each day.
For more details, go to
becausebeer.ca
.
Thirty food trucks will serve food from around the country at this free food truck festival in Gage Park (
1000 Main St. E.
) in Hamilton.
There will also be free children's games, tribute bands, cold beer and eating challenges.
For more details, go to
canadianfoodtruckfestivals.com/hamilton
.
Space Forain entertains attendees at Gage Park in 2018 during the opening night of FrancoFEST.
This arts festival covers everything from live comedy to theatre to dance and film. There will be more than 350 performances. Tickets are $14 with the purchase of a $4 Fringe Benefits Button. Go to
hftco.ca
for more details.
The Fiesta Extravaganza is the biggest Filipino celebration in Hamilton with a weekend of entertainment, cultural performances, celebrity guests and food.
The festival will take place in Bayfront Park at
200 Harbour Front Dr.
For more details, go to
fiestaextravaganza.com/locations/hamilton
.
This free festival, to be held at Gage Park in Hamilton, will feature live music, art, food and activities. The full lineup list will be released in mid-June.
For more up-to-date information, go to
festivaloffriends.ca
.
Heather Edgington, left, and Sharon Cate dance to the music of Ginger St. James at It's Your Festival in Gage Park in 2019.
Enjoy different food, explore vendors and watch lion dancers in Bayfront Park (
200 Harbour Front Dr.
) at this annual Asian culture celebration festival. For more information on the event, go to
luckylionnightmarket.ca
.
The rib and beer fest will be held at CF Lime Ridge Mall (
999 Upper Wentworth St.
) for $2 admission. Children under five years old are free. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The festival will feature live music, including tributes to The Tragically Hip and AC/DC.
For more information on the festival, go to
northernheatribseries.ca
.
The festival will be return to Hamilton's Pier 4 Park in August. This year's theme is Reclamation, Unity and Healing. For up-to-date information, go to
pridehamilton.com/pride-2025
.
Downtown Stoney Creek will showcase music, performances, food and drinks for this free two-day country music festival. The festival will happen along King Street East.
For details on the festival, go to
bootsinthecreek.com
.
Celebrate Latin culture at another free festival in Gage Park. Attendees can enjoy music, food, culture and activities.
Visit
conectate.ca/event/hamilton-latino-festival-2025
for more details.
The Dundas Cactus Festival will celebrate its 50th annual event along and off of King Street West. There will be music from four stages, family fun zones, pro-wrestling shows and BMX shows. You can also pop by the mobile video game trailer to play in a climate-controlled setting with up to 16 players.
See
dundascactusfestival.ca
for full details.
The Peach Festival features an arts and craft section, amusement rides, vendors, a food court and live music.
Grab a peach-filled pie, crepe, cobbler or sundae at Winona Park (
1328 Barton St., Stoney Creek
).
Go to
winonapeach.com
for more details.
The James Street North annual arts and music festival will return with performances, fashion and food. This year will be the Sonic Unyon festival's 17th year running. For more up-to-date information on the festival, go to
supercrawl.ca
.
For lovers of superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy and pop culture, Hamilton Comic Con will offer exhibitors, comic books, movie cars, cosplay contest, celebrity guests and photo opportunities at The Hamilton Convention Centre at
1 Summers Lane
.
For up-to-date information on tickets prices and celebrity attendees, go
hamiltoncomiccon.com/buy-tickets
.
Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator.
cbholla@thespec.com
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