Newcomer Day @ City Hall • May 29, 2026 • 12-6 PM
Hamilton Newcomer Day is a vibrant celebration of diversity, community, and connection. Hosted by the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, the event welcomes newcomers to the city and offers opportunities to learn about local services, meet community organizations, and celebrate the many cultures that make Hamilton home.
Enjoy a full day of programming hosted by emcee Joëlle Kabisoso, with music by MauriiceTheDJ. Explore a wide variety of organizations, performers, and vendors, and take part in engaging activities for all ages.
Date: Friday May 29, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St. W.
Newcomer Day is free and open to all.
Event Schedule
Hamilton Newcomer Day festivities kicks off with a Canadian citizenship ceremony in Council Chambers, allowing the public to witness an important milestone for those who will become Canadian citizens. Take pictures, enjoy food and refreshments and get ready for the day!
Location: Council Chambers, 2nd Floor of Hamilton City Hall
Join us as we officially kick off the event with a meaningful and vibrant opening ceremony that celebrates culture, community, and connection.
- Greetings and teachings by NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun (Lyndon George), Indigenous Elder & Knowledge Keeper
- Remarks from the Mayor of Hamilton
- Performance by AfroNation
Are you looking to learn about the services, programs and organizations available to you in the City of Hamilton?
Stop by the information and services fair to connect with local organizations eager to assist you in accessing various resources, programs, and support services.
Featuring:
| ACTION Employment Service |
| Afro Canadian Caribbean Association |
| BREA |
| Canada Revenue Agency |
| Care 4 Nurses |
| Centre de sante communautaire Hamilton Niagara |
| Centre for Skills Development |
| Centre Francophone Hamilton |
| City of Hamilton – Recreation |
| City of Hamilton – Tenant Support Program |
| City of Hamilton – Vaccine Program. |
| City of Hamilton Elections Office and Elections Ontario |
| ClothingWorks by Goodwill |
| College Boreal |
| Communaute francophone accueillante Hamilton |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (Csc MonAvenir) |
| Empowerment Squared |
| Engage Hamilton Pop-Up: HSR, Licensing & Bylaw, Zero Vision, Youth team, Early Years, Hamilton Food Strategy, Public Health Food Safety |
| Forge FC |
| Good Shepherd Reaching Home and Good Shepherd Bakhita House |
| Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes |
| Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre |
| Hamilton Business Centre |
| Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion |
| Hamilton Civic Museums |
| Hamilton Community Legal Clinic |
| Hamilton Health Sciences |
| Hamilton Police Service |
| Hamilton Public Library |
| Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre |
| Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board – HWCDSB |
| Hamilton Wentworth District School Board – Continuing Education |
| Hamilton Wentworth District School Board- Welcome Centre |
| Help A Girl Out |
| Immigrants Working Centre |
| Jamaica Foundation Hamilton |
| McMaster Continuing Education |
| Micah House |
| Mishka Social Services |
| Mohawk College |
| MPP Robin Lennox |
| Mujeres que inspiran Canada |
| Muslim Legal Support Centre |
| Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg |
| Ontario Structured Psychotherapy – West Region |
| Open Homes Hamilton |
| Paramedics |
| Positive Health Network |
| Rafiki Hamilton Centre |
| Sacha – Saxual Assault Centre |
| SCORE! Active |
| Send Relief Hamilton |
| Service Canada |
| Sisters in Sync |
| Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton |
| Solidarity Place |
| Sport for Life |
| Welcome Inn Community Centre |
| Wesley |
| YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford |
| Youth Wellness Centre- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton |
| YWCA Hamilton |
In addition to the other outdoor offerings, Hamilton Newcomer Day will captivate audiences with live musical performances. Talented individuals will showcase their skills and cultural backgrounds, highlighting the rich tapestry of cultures that make Hamilton a vibrant and inclusive community.
Featuring:
| 3S Harmony Dance Group |
| Afro Nation |
| Joëlle Kabisoso (Emcee) |
| MauriiceTheDJ (DJ) |
| SalsaSoul Productions |
| Spitty (RBCxArtist) |
| Yalla Baladi Studio |
Visit the Forge FC booth to get free tickets for the June 10 International Night game!
All-Day Activities (12-6 PM)
Stop by the community zone to connect with local ethnocultural organizations eager to support community connections through various programs.
Featuring:
| Afghan Association of Hamilton |
| Asociacion Fraternidad Hispana ( Fraternity Hispanic Association) AFH |
| Rwandan Canadian Community of Hamilton |
| Sahari Organization for Development |
| Somali Community in Hamilton |
| Templo Nueva Vida (Bilingual Protestant Pentecostal church) |
Food options and a local vendor marketplace will be available on-site, offering a diverse selection of culinary delights and unique products that reflect Hamilton’s multicultural essence.
Families are encouraged to attend, as there will be an array of family-friendly activities and offerings to keep individuals entertained throughout the event.
Food Vendors:
| Diddi Catering Services |
| Afrolicious |
| Butter & Creme Bakery and BBQ |
| Ice Cream Truck |
| Mesob Habesha Restaurant |
Marketplace Vendors:
| Gosdebbie |
| Amin Boutiqe |
| HennabyHilan |
| Keetup Publishing |
| Knoty An Dezigns |
| Oaesis Within |
| Orozmar Accesories |
| Reinders handmade |
Organized by the Immigrants Working Centre and YWCA Hamilton, the Kids Zone offers fun, family-friendly activities for children attending Newcomer Day.
Conveniently located behind the Hamilton sign, it’s a welcoming space for kids to play, create, and enjoy the day.
Hosted by Karla-Maria Creativo, this interactive mural experience invites attendees to become part of the art. Located next to the Community Zone, participants can help paint the mural throughout the day.
The completed piece will be displayed at City Hall and will travel across the city over the coming year.
New this year, join us in creating a community mural with Karla-Maria Creativo!
Registered Activities
This presentation provides a general overview of Spousal Sponsorship and Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) immigration applications in Canada. Participants will learn about the basic requirements for each type of application.
Presented by Natalie Banka and Christopher Ciafro from Sanelli Law.
Location: Room 192/193 – First floor of City Hall
Learn about your rights at work in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act. This workshop covers key workplace rights, including wages, hours of work, overtime pay, public holidays, leaves of absence, and termination rights.
Presented by Solidarity Place Worker Education Centre.
Location: Room 192/193 – First floor of City Hall
Spread the Word
Newcomer Day Poster
Getting There
Please consider leaving your car at home when traveling to Newcomer Day as parking behind city hall is limited.
Public transit. Hamilton City Hall is easily accessible by HSR public transit. One block away, the Frank A. Cooke Transit Terminal is the hub for many HSR bus routes. Numerous buses stop even closer to city hall on Main Street and Hunter Street.
Bicycle. Hamilton Bike Share is very affordable and has several hubs adjacent to city hall. If bringing your own bike, parking racks are located behind city hall between the two lower parking lots.
Motor vehicle. Limited paid parking is available behind city hall, accepting payment by debit and credit card or with the Passport Parking App. Enter the lower parking lot from Jackson Street or Bay Street, and the upper parking deck from Hunter Street. Underground parking is also available in the municipal lot on Summers Lane (Hamilton Convention Centre) and Jackson Square.
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