Home in Hamilton for the holidays? Here's what's happening

The holidays are here and we have what's happening in Hamilton to keep the season merry and bright. 

Visit Christmas past at Hamilton's historic sites 

You can step into the past this holiday season and visit Christmas as it was over a century ago at Hamilton's civic museums. 

Open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., from now until Jan. 7, you can tour three of Hamilton's heritage estates, with their halls fully decked for the season. All city-run sites will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1, however.

Visit Dundurn Castle at 610 York Blvd., in the day or for its evening tour, where you can listen to Christmas Carols and try traditional holiday treats. 

The McQuesten family is celebrating the season at Whitehern, 41 Jackson St. W, with walking tours, as is Battlefield House at 77 King St. W. in Stoney Creek, Ont.

Celebrate the season at the Royal Botanical Gardens 

The RBG Express is chugging its way through the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) from now until Jan. 7, from 10:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. every day. 

The train is $10 to ride per person, with four people per car max., and visitors must also pay for a ticket to visit the gardens as well. 

You can also take a festive stroll through the RBG's gardens, with its Winter Wonders walk, open from Thursday to Sunday until Jan. 7. 

Christmas movies with Playhouse and Westdale cinemas

The Playhouse Cinema is playing holiday favourites this weekend, like Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas and White Christmas — and it's hosting two extra special screenings. 

The theatre is partnering with Hamilton Food Share for a showing of It's A Wonderful Life. Admission is free if you bring a non-perishable food item. 

The movie is playing Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at 177 Sherman Ave. N.

At the Westdale Theatre, classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone, Love Actually and Die Hard this weekend and Boxing Day. It will also host a New Year's Eve with the Superstars of Comedy show with headliner Keith Pedro on Dec. 31.

Ring in the New Year early

On Dec. 29, bring the kids to the Hamilton Public Library's Noon Year's Eve Countdown to celebrate 2024 with games, dancing and a countdown to noon. 

At the FirstOntario Concert Hall, enjoy the "beauty and human connection" with a full orchestral journey through the golden age of Vienna on Dec. 30. 

Skate your way to 2024

The city is offering additional skating sessions between Dec. 24 and Jan. 4 at 11 arenas.

Parents and tots will have the ice to themselves at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena and Skating Centre on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.