5 things to do in Hamilton on Christmas Day 2023

Christmas Day is typically a time for family and friends to gather for dinner, drinks, and perhaps a gift exchange. But sometimes — weather permitting — it’s nice to get outside and build memories through shared activities and experiences.

Fortunately, Hamilton is loaded with beautiful winter trails, outdoor skating rinks, and indoor recreation.

So, here are five things you can do on Christmas Day in Hamilton this year.

Winter hike or walk

Hamilton is well-known for its hiking and walking trails. If the weather allows, Christmas Day is the perfect day to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and take in some of the sights and sounds of our green spaces — albeit covered in white.

You can do a Christmas bird count on Christmas Day on your crisp morning walk, with the annual Hamilton Christmas Bird Count happening the following day. Dress warm!

Outdoor Skating

Hamilton’s arenas might be closed on Christmas, but the city’s outdoor community skating facilities are available. There’s nothing more festive or wintry — or Canadian — than slapping a pair of blades onto your feet and gliding around on the ice.

For more information on outdoor ice rinks in Hamilton, check here.

Games, Games, Games!

Hamilton’s Splitsville Entertainment is open on Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. for those looking to roll.

For families who are keeping the fun closer to home, board games, card games, video games, and online gaming are ways we can engage with our loved ones and have some fun.

Christmas light hunt

One thing Hamiltonians are pretty awesome at is creating spectacular outdoor holiday displays.

If you want to know where to go, this website provides a map of where particularly extravagant light displays can be found in the Hamilton-Burlington area.

Catch a movie

This has become a Christmas Day tradition for many people over the years. Lately, though, with years of COVID-19-related restrictions and a rapid rise in streaming use, the movie theatre has become more of an afterthought.

On Christmas Day, Cineplex and Landmark theatres will be showing films, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Migration scheduled for the Cineplex theatre complex in Stoney Creek.