Hello Neighbours 

American Hockey League action is back downtown, and it arrives with a nod to the steel-town grit this city was built on. The Hamilton Hammers, the New York Islanders' new AHL affiliate, take to the ice at TD Coliseum on Saturday night for their home opener and will be wearing crossed hammers as their shirt logos. If the women’s hockey Toronto versus Seattle game on Jan 3rd 2026 is anything to go by, where 16,000 turned out, Hamilton is ready for hockey again.

And it's been a long wait. Eleven years since the AHL Bulldogs skated off in 2015 and three since the Ontario Hockey League Bulldogs left due to stadium renovations.

Hockey has always run deep here. A century ago the Hamilton Tigers played in the National Hockey League, finishing first in 1924–25. Then a players' pay dispute ended their run and the franchise was sold off to become the New York Americans which in turn eventually faded into hockey history. So maybe it’s only fitting that a New York club is finally returning the favour. 

Think of the weekend as the ultimate Thanksgiving double-header. The puck drops Friday and Sunday, and in between you can gather everything for the big meal: fresh herbs at the free Thanksgiving Herb Giveaway in the Dundurn Castle Kitchen Garden (Saturday and Sunday at noon), local produce at the final day of the Harvest Festival at the Hamilton Farmers' Market, and a homemade dessert from the Parent & Kids Apple Pie Making Class at Dundurn Market or from one of the many homemade artisans around the city. On Sunday, catch the Hammers and Marlies at 3 p.m, and get home before the pie drops on the table. 

And if you are looking to walk off some of that pie the fall colours are starting to come out - here are five places to find them. For all the other city events and live music gigs you can drop by our full list anytime. 

If you liked this week's issue please share it with the friend who never stopped wearing their Bulldogs jersey and is ready to cheer on Hamilton hockey again.

~ Paul - ❤️

P.S. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for reading The Vibe. Every open, share and reply helps us keep spotlighting the people, places and events that make Hamilton home. 

And thank you to everyone who entered last week's Pumpkin Spice Latte poll or made additional suggestions. Readers voted Tata Coffee & Cakes on King St West as their favourite, apparently the cakes are amazing too!

🗓 Want to see your Hamilton, Ontario event included here? Please complete our Event Form here.

Note: Events may be full, cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to check or reach out to the venue before going.

The Vibe Dinner Club is heading to Westdale for its next gathering on Wednesday, October 21, then the following months dinner date is set for November 17th and seats are already getting booked.

Past guests loved meeting like-minded people who are open to new experiences and genuinely interested in helping Hamilton restaurants thrive. Considering people did not know each other diners found “Great conversation with very friendly people” and there were plenty of laughs all around.

Take the quick quiz, get matched with five other locals, and find out the morning of the dinner which restaurant you're headed to and also where the secret after dinner get together is.

And yes you can bring a friend, so book your seat for either October, November or both at thevibehamilton.dnnr.io

Brought to you in part by Hamilton Day

Note: Events may be full, cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to check or reach out to the venue before going.

🔁 Looking for your favourite weekly or monthly event, like trivia, yoga, music jam, karaoke or open mic comedy show? We have them all in our Recurring Vibe.

🗓 Want to see your Hamilton, Ontario event included here? Please complete our Event Form here.

Any other questions? Get in touch [email protected]

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