Part 20: Hamilton Day 2024 | October 30, 2024
Mark your calendars, Hamilton Day returns this week!
Hamilton Day is the ultimate celebration of our city and the vibrant small business community that makes it so great! Hamilton Chamber of Commerce first held Hamilton Day in 1931 to boost the economy and morale during the Great Depression, and it quickly became symbolic of a rallying spirit in the face of adversity. This meant that it was then the perfect initiative to bring back during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 to support the small business community within Hamilton and it has now expanded to a full weekend of celebrations. This year Hamilton Day will run from November 1st to 3rd, with plenty of amazing opportunities wherever you turn.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA is excited to announce that we will be participating in this year’s Hamilton Day, with some exciting ways to celebrate! Join us at the Royal Connaught Courtyard (112 King Street East) on Saturday, November 2 from 11 am to 1 pm for fun activities. A caricature artist will be drawing free portraits, acting as the perfect memento for the day’s festivities. We will be selling our Downtown Hamilton merch, including t-shirts (sizes S to 2XL) and sweatshirts (sizes XL and 2XL) on sale for $20 each for those looking to show their love for Hamilton in style. Additionally, talented local musician Ariana Fig will play live on location, providing an amazing soundtrack for the day’s festivities. She will play in the courtyard from 11 to 11:55 am before making her way over to the corner of James and King William Street for another performance from 12:05 to 1 pm.
Some amazing businesses within the Downtown Hamilton BIA boundary have registered for Hamilton Day and are offering some special deals or events to celebrate. Here’s a rundown:
- Electric Diner (28 James Street North) will be offering $5 Johnny Five tall cans and $5 poutine.
- Tourism Hamilton Visitor Experience Centre (28 James Street North) will have Hamilton Day and Tourism Hamilton information, a free HSR 150 exhibit, HSR 150 pop-up with freebies, snacks and transit information.
- Mystic Ramen (51 King William Street) will be launching a retail line and hosting a David Bowie-themed brunch on Sunday, November 3 from 11 am to 2 pm
- The Brow Room (61 King William Street) will be offering a free brow tint with the booking of brow shaping
- Mills Hardware (95 King Street East) will be hosting a show from pHoenix Pagliacci on November 1, Da Bomb Dance Party in collaboration with Dr. Disc and Sonic Unyon on November 2 and Twisted: The Evelyn Dick Cabaret on November 3
Additionally, The Standard (10 James Street North), RELAY Coffee Roasters (27 King William Street), Undefined (35 King William Street), The Mule (41 King William Street), HAMBRGR (49 King William Street), Kyoto Claw (107 King Street East), Redchurch Café + Gallery (68 King Street East), Cannabis Supply Co. (57 John Street South), and Painted Brick Wellness (118 Jackson Street East) have all registered, so stay tuned for possible deals. You can find a map of all participating businesses here.
Hamilton Day is the perfect opportunity to support the local businesses that make up the heart and soul of this city! There are plenty of amazing opportunities throughout the city, including special offers, a city-wide trivia challenge, concerts, artistic opportunities, theatre performances, literary opportunities, social opportunities, sporting events and more. The diverse range of programming scheduled across the city means you are sure to find something exciting nearby. Make sure you step outside and explore Hamilton from November 1st to 3rd to support the amazing local businesses within Hamilton, and let’s continue to spread the local love and celebrate what makes our city so amazing!
You can find more information about Hamilton Day, including a full list of opportunities and participating businesses, here. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you are a Downtown Hamilton BIA member business and would like to be featured in a blog post, please email Emily Gilruth at operations@downtownhamilton.org.