Hamilton’s Winterfest kicks off tonight with POP at Jackson Square

Hamilton’s secret to beating the February blahs starts today with the opening of Winterfest/POP – a 10,000 square foot indoor exhibition of pop culture from pinball to plush toys, videogames to mini putt, pizza, cotton candy and more happening inside Jackson Square.

The annual Winterfest, an eclectic mix of events for the entire family, runs from February 2-19 with more than 70 events across the city, from Dundas to Stoney Creek and from the mountain to the waterfront.

“Hamilton Winterfest 2024 kicks off tonight,” enthused Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “If you’re looking for something fun to get you through your winter blues, Winterfest is hosting concerts, workshops, dancing, fashion, art and sports all across the city!”

Headquarters for the entertainment showcase will be Jackson Square, with POP inside the mall and Winterfest/HUB, featuring free live concerts, the Frost Kings Drag Show, light installations, food vendors and more, all on the rooftop plaza in downtown Hamilton.

Winterfest POP! opens tonight! Check out the pop culture explosion at @jsquarehamilton – it’s only here until Feb.19!
Get your tickets at: https://t.co/WetLRc941I #HamiltonWinterfest #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/aEmUXSTC2c

— Hamilton Winterfest (@HamONWinterfest) February 2, 2024

On Family Day, the final day of the extravaganza, the action will be at the HUB with a free full day of fun in partnership with the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Hamilton Public Library. Live music, kids activities, pancakes, pizza and loads of interactive experiences make Family Day a hit for kids of all ages.

Winterfest also features art crawls and exhibitions (including the James Street Art Crawl on Feb. 9), crafts & workshops, concerts (first up is Aiofe-Louise Doyle at the HUB on the Jackson Square rooftop Feb. 9) and theatre & dance. There’s also neighbourhood events, including a free pancake breakfast at Eva Rothwell Resource Centre on Feb. 10, the Gourley Park Winterfest on Feb. 11, the Inside/Outside Family Day Festival on Feb. 19 at Dundas Museum and Dundas Driving Park and the Because BRRR Craft Beer Festival Feb. 17 at Bridgeworks.

Most events are free, though Winterfest/POP and Love in Lights, the festival’s signature Valentine’s Day party, are ticketed events.

Last year the festival, which is organized by the City of Hamilton, Cobalt Connects Creativity and dozens of community-led organizers and has been must-see event in the city for more than 45 years, became a Festival & Events Ontario TOP 100 Festival Award winner.