5 things to do in Hamilton this weekend (Aug 20 to 22)

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Published August 19, 2021 at 4:59 pm

The weekend is upon us and there’s plenty to get excited about if you live in and around Hamilton.

The weather this weekend looks to be, for the most part, sunny if a little steamy with some chance of rain but that shouldn’t stop Hamiltonians from taking in some local sights and delights.

For the weekend of Aug. 20 to 22, here are 5 things happening in Hamilton.


5. Supercrawl Bridgeworks live stream series

This special free event will run over the next several weekends but this is the first weekend and it’s a doozy! Artists featured this weekend include Jeremie Albino (Friday), LTtheMonk (Saturday) and Tom Wilson and iskwē (Sunday). Shows will be limited to 50 attendees, selected by lottery, in a physically distanced seating plan inside the new Bridgeworks event space at 200 Caroline N. The performances will also be live-streamed and available to watch online for up to 48 hours after the event. More information can be found on the Supercrawl website.

4. Insect Safari

On Saturday from 2 to 4 at the Arboretum (16 Old Guelph Road), a Royal Botanical Gardens guide will lead families on an exploration of RBG’s trails and fields, looking for insects. The event is part of the RBG’s Family Fun Days & Nights series that has been running throughout the summer offering family-friendly workshops and activities. For more information about the RBG and the Family Fun Days & Nights series, visit the RBG website.

3. BIPOC hArt Music Series

The Hamilton Arts Council has organized this online event that celebrates diverse representation in the performing arts and creative industries by showcasing emerging artists from across the Greater Hamilton Region and Six Nations of the Grand River. Artists include sitar virtuoso Guru Neeraj Prem (Friday at 7 p.m.), R&B-based-pop-project Life and the Tribe (Saturday at 7 p.m.) and Mohawk/French Canadian Singer-Songwriter from Six Nations of the Grand River James N. Wilson (Sunday at 7 p.m.). For more details about the event and to access the online performances, visit here.

2. Pier 8 Pop-Ups

This weekend’s Pier 8 Pop-Ups kicks off Friday afternoon with Collective Arts’ beergarden series (from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) by the water (19+). Senior Saturday (from will offer locally-brewed coffee and fresh baked goods, an Indian-inspired tea service, entertainment and a relaxing seat overlooking the West Harbour. Free Refreshments for seniors and all ages welcome (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.). A Kid’s workshop will also be happening Saturday (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and this week’s theme is Parade-Inspired Crafts: Noisemakers, costumes, ribbons and flags. More details can be found here.

1. Dundas Cactus Festival

This popular Hamilton festival is back this year but on a much smaller scale. The Dundas Cactus Festival will be held on Sunday only from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m and will feature family-friendly entertainment in the morning and musical performances throughout the day. Seating will be limited. There will be contact tracing and COVID Health & Safety Protocols in place to keep everyone safe. Please note that masks are required for all attendees over the age of 2. More information can be found on the Dundas Cactus Festival website.