Home in Hamilton for the holidays? Here's what's happening

The holidays are here and we have what's happening in Hamilton to keep the season merry and bright.

Visit Christmas past at Hamilton's historic sites

You can step into the past this holiday seasonand visit Christmas as it was over a century agoat Hamilton's civic museums.

Open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., from now until Jan. 7,you can tour three of Hamilton's heritage estates, with their halls fully decked for the season. All city-run sites will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1, however.

Visit Dundurn Castleat 610 York Blvd., in the dayor for its evening tour, where you can listen to Christmas Carols and try traditional holiday treats.

The McQuesten family is celebrating the season at Whitehern, 41 Jackson St. W, with walking tours, as isBattlefield Houseat77 King St. W. inStoney Creek, Ont.

Celebrate the season at the Royal Botanical Gardens

The RBG Express is chugging its waythrough the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)from now until Jan. 7, from 10:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. every day.

The train is $10 to ride per person, with four people per car max., and visitors must also pay for a ticket to visit the gardens as well.

You can also take a festive stroll through the RBG'sgardens, with its Winter Wonders walk, open from Thursday to Sunday until Jan. 7.

Christmas movies with Playhouse and Westdalecinemas

The Playhouse Cinema is playing holiday favourites this weekend, like Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas and White Christmas andit's hosting two extra special screenings.

The theatre is partnering with Hamilton Food Share for a showing ofIt's A Wonderful Life. Admission is free if you bring a non-perishable food item.

The movie is playing Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at177 Sherman Ave. N.

At the Westdale Theatre, classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone, Love Actually and Die Hard this weekend and Boxing Day. It will also host a New Year's Eve with the Superstars of Comedy show with headlinerKeith Pedro on Dec. 31.

Ring in the New Year early

On Dec. 29, bring the kids to the Hamilton Public Library'sNoon Year's Eve Countdownto celebrate 2024 with games, dancing and a countdown to noon.

At the FirstOntario Concert Hall, enjoy the "beauty and human connection" with a full orchestral journey through the golden age of Vienna on Dec. 30.

Skate your way to 2024

The city is offering additional skating sessions between Dec. 24 and Jan. 4 at 11 arenas.

Parents and tots will have the ice to themselves at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena and Skating Centre on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.