Part 18: Outstanding October | October 2 2024
Happy October everyone! The month has just begun and is now stretching out in front of us full of amazing possibilities. In addition to cooler weather and autumnal vibes, October is made even better with all of the amazing events and opportunities happening within the downtown core this month. Continue reading for some inspiration about what to do during the month of October!
Electric Diner (28 James Street North): During October Electric Diner is putting a spooky twist on their Trivia Tuesdays, hosting Trick or Trivia each Tuesday. Each trivia session will have 4 rounds, with the 4th round dedicated to different Halloween-themed categories. The schedule for the rest of October includes Slasher Films on October 8, Halloween lore on October 16, Hocus Pocus on October 22 and finally Full Halloween on October 29. Each game begins at 8 pm, and you can make a reservation between 7 and 8 every Tuesday to participate. Additionally, Electric Diner is hosting an 80’s Halloween Dance Party on Friday, October 25th from 9 pm to 1 am. This party will include a DJ, themed drinks, spooky décor and a prize for the best costume. You can purchase tickets here. You can find more information about Electric Diner on their website here and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Mills Hardware (95 King Street East): Each month Mills Hardware hosts a variety of amazing concerts, and October is no exception. Here is their October schedule:
- Saturday, October 5: Da Bomb
- Thursday, October 10: Kasador
- Thursday, October 17: Frank Mighty
- Monday, October 21: Don Amero
- Wednesday, October 23: Noah Derksen
- Saturday, October 26: Ben Caplan
- Thursday, October 31: Skye Wallace
You can purchase tickets for any of these shows here. You can find more information about Mills Hardware on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Mystic Ramen (51 King William Street): As a continuation of their amazing drag brunch series, Mystic Ramen will be hosting Halloween Drag Brunch on Sunday, October 20 beginning at 11 am. The drag brunch will feature performers Vanity a la Mode and Claudia Silva, a special menu (including Khao Soi Ramen), special cocktails, and costumes are encouraged. You can purchase tickets here. You can find more information about Mystic Ramen on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Club Seventy-Seven (77 King William Street): For those looking for a high-energy option to celebrate Halloween, Club Seventy-Seven will be hosting WICKED, their Halloween party, on Wednesday, October 30 in collaboration with Dirty Dog Saloon. This party will feature music from DJ 4KORNERS, 2 venues and 2 sounds, and costumes are strongly encouraged. You can purchase tickets here. You can find more information about Club Seventy-Seven on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
St. Joe’s Youth Wellness Centre (38 James Street South): This is a safe and accessible space for individuals aged 17-25 to receive mental health and substance use care, and they host a variety of valuable and informative workshops each month. Here is the jam-packed schedule for October:
- Thursday, October 3: Act It Out, 2-3:30 pm
- Friday, October 4: Get **It Done! (virtual), 11 am – 12 pm
- Monday, October 7: Everyone Threads, 1-2:30 pm and Books ‘n’ Banter, 2:30-4:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 8: Let’s Run Together, 3-4 pm and Art Drop-In, 3:30-5 pm and TLC 4 POC, 5-6:30 pm
- Wednesday, October 9: Writer’s Block, 1-3 pm and SAGE, 5-6:30 PM
- Thursday, October 10: Act It Out, 2-3:30 pm and Peer Support Circle, 3:30-4:30 pm
- Friday, October 11: Get **It Done! (virtual), 11 am – 12 pm
- Tuesday, October 15: Mind and Melody, 2-3 pm and Let’s Run Together, 3-4 pm and Art Drop-In, 3:30-5 pm and Get Organized! 4-5:30 pm
- Thursday, October 17: Act It Out, 2-3:30 pm
- Friday, October 18: Get **It Done! (virtual), 11 am – 12 pm
- Monday, October 21: Everyone Threads, 1-2:30 pm and Writers Block, 3-4:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 20: Let’s Run Together, 3-4 pm and Art Drop-In, 3:30-5 pm and TLC 4 POC, 5-6:30 pm
- Wednesday, October 23: Mask-Making Workshop, 2-3:30 pm and SAGE, 5-6:30 pm
- Thursday, October 24: Act It Out, 2-3:30 pm
- Friday, October 25: Get **It Done! (virtual), 11 am – 12 pm
- Monday, October 28: Everyone Threads, 1-2:30 pm and Books ‘n’ Banter, 2:30-4:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 29: Mind & Melody, 2-3:30 pm and Let’s Run Together, 3-4 pm and Art Drop-In, 3:30-5 pm
- Thursday, October 31: Hallowe’en Party, 2-4 pm
All programming is free, contact the YWC team to register. You can find more information about the Youth Wellness Centre here, and then follow them on Instagram.
MANSION (54 King Street East): MANSION has a truly impressive lineup of thrilling events to help attendees celebrate Halloween. They are hosting Thriller Night on October 25, Halloween Madness on October 26, Freshman Scream on October 30 and Halloween Night on October 31. Each event will have prizes for the best costume and more. You can purchase tickets for these events here. You can find more information about MANSION on their website here, and then follow them on Instagram.
Immigrants Working Centre (8 Main Street East): On Monday, October 7 Immigrants Working Centre is hosting an Indigenous Craft Workshop from 3 to 4:30 pm. This interactive and educational session is meant for family members of all ages, and attendees will learn about Indigenous history and culture and the importance of land acknowledgments, while simultaneously participating in a hands-on Indigenous craft. Contact the IWC team to register. You can find more information about Immigrants Working Centre on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Zen Lounge (69 John Street South): For the music lovers within the downtown core, Zen Lounge is hosting Now This is Old Skool on Sunday, October 13. This dance party features the hottest songs from the 80’s and 90’s. You can purchase tickets here. You can find more information about Zen Lounge on their website here, and then follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
And make sure to join the Downtown Hamilton BIA for our annual Halloween Spooktacular, happening on Friday, October 25 from 5 to 8 pm in Gore Park. More details are coming soon, so keep an eye peeled for more information!
These are only some of the amazing events that are happening in October, and there are sure to be more announced as the month advances. There are also plenty of businesses within the downtown core that host weekly events each week, such as trivia, happy hours or special deals. Regardless of what you are looking to do, there is something for everyone in the downtown core, and October is no exception.
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.