Part 16: The Return of Supercrawl | August 22, 2024
Start the countdown, Supercrawl returns in less than a month!
Supercrawl, Hamilton’s most iconic music and arts festival, returns on Friday, September 13 and runs until September 15. For both those that live within the city and outside of it, Supercrawl has become a staple for attendance every year, as the festival always brings amazing music, art and a sense of community to the city. Now in its 16th year, Supercrawl 2024 is sure to continue that time-honoured tradition!
Supercrawl was originally founded in 2009 by a team of artists and community builders based in Hamilton, with the goal of showcasing the artistic and cultural vibrancy of their city through a one-day festival specifically focused on art. As the years progressed the length and scope of the festival expanded, until it reached the multi-day celebration of all things art and music that we now know and love. Supercrawl now takes over two kilometers of James Street North each year, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the area and contributing millions of dollars to the Hamilton economy.
This year’s Supercrawl lineup features almost 40 musical performances, including artists such as Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle of Joy, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Castles, Zeus, and many more! The festival will also include an interactive residency from Squonk, complete with an immersive outdoor spectacle filled with music, imagery and audience participation. The festivities don’t end there, as Supercrawl will also feature visual art installations, fashion showcases, dances, theatre, author talks, spoken word, food vendors, craft vendors, a Family Zone and more. Regardless of what you are looking for or what your schedule looks like, you are sure to find something that you love. You can find more information about Supercrawl and the full schedule on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more updates. Admission to the festival is free, and it is a rain-or-shine event.
While the festival does have art and food vendors present on-site, taking a minute to explore the amazing businesses in the surrounding areas gives you a place to return to once the festival is over. If you are looking for a quick bite to eat along the Supercrawl route, Bardo (14 James Street North) and The Standard (10 James Street North) are both delicious restaurants stationed on James Street North. While not directly on James Street, you can also stop by King William Street if you are looking for something great to eat. The street is full of amazing places to eat, including Electric Diner (28 James Street North), RELAY Coffee Roasters (27 King William Street), Berkeley North (31 King William Street), Undefined (35 King William Street), The Mule (41 King William Street), Mezza Café (28 James Street North), The French (37 King William Street), Conversate Steak & Seafood (38 King William Street), Sagarmatha Curry House (43 King William Street), The Diplomat (43 King William Street), HAMBRGR (49 King William Street), Piccolo (17 King William) and Mystic Ramen (51 King William Street), any of which would make a great addition to your Supercrawl festivities. If you are looking to do a bit of shopping, make sure you pop into Dr. Disc (20 Wilson) to get some great items to take home.
Supercrawl is a must-attend activity for many in the city, as it is a hub for all things arts, culture, and fun. Take a trip down to Supercrawl between September 13 and 15th to experience some of the amazing artistic talent that this city has to offer!
If you are a Downtown Hamilton BIA business member and would like to be featured in a blog post, please email Emily Gilruth at operations@downtownhamilton.org.