Festive events, official tree lighting ceremony and parking perks during the holiday season

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton has organized a number of festive events and special parking arrangements to mark the 2017 holiday season.

Community Christmas Trees

This week, the City of Hamilton will complete the installation of the final of three community Christmas trees that will be on display for residents to enjoy throughout the 2017 holiday season. The trees are located in Gore Park, Hamilton City Hall and Memorial Square in Dundas.

Gore Park’s holiday display centrepiece, the “Christmas Tree of Hope”, will be lit in an official ceremony on Friday, December 1, 2017 between 5 and 7 pm at Gore Park, in partnership with CHML/Y108/95.3 Fresh Radio and the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area. Find out more about the Children's Fund.

Residents are invited to join Mayor Eisenberger and special guests for music, entertainment, selfies with Santa, and miniature train rides. The official tree lighting will happen in Gore Park at 6 pm.

Guests are encouraged to support the spirit of the season by dropping off unwrapped toys or cash donations to Gore Park on December 1 between 6 am and 6 pm for the CHML/Y108/95.3 Fresh Radio Children’s Fund.

The Christmas tree in Gore Park was donated by the Kaldenbach family from Ancaster. City Hall’s Christmas tree was donated by the Baiton family from Ancaster, and the tree in Dundas was donated by the Jadranka family from Stoney Creek. The City thanks these families for their generous contributions to holiday celebrations in Hamilton.

Celebrate in the City Events

The Downtown Hamilton BIA Presents “The Christmas Market” at Gore Park to help residents get a jumpstart on holiday shopping with unique gift items displayed by local vendors. The market is taking place on:

• Friday, December 1 from 5 to 9 pm
• Saturday, December 2 from 12 to 6 pm
• Sunday, December 3 from 12 to 6 pm

Residents are also invited to hop on board the free miniature train in Gore Park, to experience the holiday decorations from a front row seat.

• Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 17 from 2 to 7 pm.

Local School Choir Performances at City Hall

A number of local school choirs will visit City Hall for special holiday performances of Christmas Carols and other holiday songs. Performances will take place in the main lobby at City Hall from 9 to 11 am.

• Wednesday, December 6 – Spencer Valley School Choir
• Tuesday, December 12 – Saint Teresa Of Calcutta CES School Choir
• Wednesday, December 13 –  Gordon Price School Choir
• Thursday, December 14 – Sir William Osler Elementary School
• Tuesday, December 19 – Chedoke Elementary School’s Song Club
• Wednesday, December 20 – St. Joseph Catholic School Choir

Free Pre-Christmas Parking

Shop, dine, do business or play in areas across Hamilton with free parking before Christmas. Look for the message inside the on-street parking meter caps or on parking meters. Find out more about dates and locations for free parking at www.hamilton.ca/freeparking

"Events to mark the start of the holiday season are upcoming across the community, offering all residents the opportunity to come together and celebrate the diverse cultural make up of Hamilton. On behalf of city council I extend our best wishes over the holiday season as we look ahead to a happy and healthy 2018.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger, City of Hamilton

Additional resources

• www.hamilton.ca/events
• www.y108.ca/childrens-fund
• www.downtownhamilton.org