Category Archives: Events

Festival of Friends

August 5, 6 & 7 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds

Yes, it’s sad to see Festival of Friends making a transition from its long time home in Gage Park to the Ancaster Fairgrounds. But let’s give the Fairgrounds a chance! After all, the Festival of Friends is still one of the biggest music festivals in Hamilton aside from the upcoming Supercrawl.

The free festival kicks off tonight with recent Rolling Stone Cover Contest winners, The Sheepdogs and St. Catharines darling, City and Colour. On Saturday Hamilton homeboys Arkells share the stage with other local favourites, Cowlick and The Reason. Sunday ends with a bang with artists like, The Nylons and America. Get the full schedule, here.

In addition to rockin’ your socks off, the festival also offers foods of the world, arts and crafts and free HSR bus service to and from the festival every 20 minutes all weekend. With all the jam-packed perks of this festival, there’s no reason not to go. So as the great Bruce Cockburn would say, “Open your heart and grow with what life sends / That’s your ticket to the festival of friends.”

Night in the Village

First Friday of the month at 7 pm at Ferguson Station Pavillion

Did you know that Hamilton is one of the most diverse cities in Canada? Night in the Village celebrates this diversity on the first Friday of each month starting at 7pm. The street is filled with people looking to wine, dine, shop and explore the arts, all celebrated with an ‘international flair’.

There is usually live entertainment at the Ferguson Station Pavillion, while local businesses have their own spirit and offer sales/specials.  Even some of the galleries, including Arts Hamilton, Intolerant Gallery and Volunteer Hamilton  are open late for those art enthusiasts which helps create a vibrant night with a diverse community.

Make sure to come check out the international village and add them on facebook here.