Hamilton Winterfest 2026 - Community Event Application

Welcome to the Hamilton Winterfest 2026 Community Event Application. Hamilton Winterfest is co-produced by the City of Hamilton and Cobalt Connects.

Festival Dates: January 31 - February 16, 2026.

Hamilton Winterfest is an annual tradition dating back to 1978, where local businesses and organizations create fun events and offers to encourage folks to crawl out of winter hibernation and celebrate the beauty of Hamilton in winter.

Community Events

We recognize that in previous years, there was not a big focus on promoting the Community Events on social media. For Winterfest 2026 we will be placing a bigger focus on the community events, with scheduled collaborative social media posts to increase the audience reach on these events.

All community events that take place between January 31 and February 16 (inclusive) are able to be included, even if it is a recurring event, and you want to promote it as a part of Winterfest, we love that! Do you already have some programming scheduled for that time? Let's include it!

Want to take part but don't know how? Need ideas for programming and making your event impactful?

Email steff@cobaltconnects.ca to discuss your potential opportunities.

Why Take Part?

Events included in the Hamilton Winterfest program receive the following benefits:

- free listing on Hamilton Winterfest website

- free boosted social media posts

- free inclusion in Winterfest Magazine distributed to thousands of homes in the GTHA

Important!

To be included in printed magazine your event or promotion must occur between January 31, 2026 and February 16, 2026.

For inclusion in the printed program, submissions must be received by

midnight on Sunday December 14, 2025

Events submitted after December 14 will still be included in our online events calendar, social media, and digital advertising campaigns.

Question Title

* 1. Event Title

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* 2. Primary Contact Person

Name

Position

Phone

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* 3. Host Organization/ Business:

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* 4. Host Organization / Business Website:

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* 5. Host Social Media:

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

Other

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* 6. Start Date / Time of Event

Date / Time

Date

Time

AM/PM

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* 7. End Date / Time of Event:

Date / Time

Date

Time

AM/PM

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* 8. Event Location Address

Name of Venue *

Address

City/Town *

Postal Code

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* 9. What is the admission price for your event?

$0 – FREE

Pay What You Can

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Short Event Summary (600 character maximum)

Please describe your event. This summary will be used in an online listing and printed guide. Highlight the programming you will be offering, your intended audience, hours of operation, etc.

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* 11. Is this a one-time event or a recurring event?

One-time Event

Annual Recurring Event

Monthly Recurring Event

Weekly Recurring Event

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* 12. Please indicate below which of the Event Criteria your event meets by checking the box. Check all that apply.

Emphasizes the Winterfest themes of Bold, Beautiful and Bright

Celebrates or explores the idea of winter

Accessible / Welcoming to all

Promotes inclusion and diversity by presenting programming that explores the festival themes from unique cultural perspectives.

Supports local business

Supports local artists through paid opportunities

Contributes to the animation of Hamilton neighbourhoods

Promotes tourism

Promotes community building

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Please submit 1 - 3 images for promotional purposes. This image should have no text, logo or graphic overlays. You must have permission to use the image submitted.

Image 1

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* 14. Image 2

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* 15. Image 3

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* 16. Please submit your organization's logo

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* 17. Who is your anticipated audience? (i.e. Neighbourhood, families, seniors, teens, etc.) Please provide up to 5 key words.

Key word 1

Key word 2

Key word 3

Key word 4

Key word 5

Your responses to the following questions will help with reporting and provide us with data to determine the impact of Winterfest Community Events

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* 18. How many people do you anticipate attending your event? Please enter in numeric format (50, 200, etc).

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* 19. Has your organization participated in Winterfest before? If yes, please indicate which year(s).

Yes

Year(s) previously participated:

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* 20. Does your event location have accessible washrooms?

Yes

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* 21. Does your event location have the following:

Parking

Bus stop within 1 block

Drop off area for taxi, DARTS, etc.

Bike Share Station

Bike Rack

Other (please specify)

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* 22. What is your approximate event budget?

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* 23. Approximately how many volunteers will your event engage:

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* 24. Is the event to be held on City property? (Select One)

Yes

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* 25. Have you completed a City of Hamilton SEAT Application? SEAT applications are only required if your event takes place on City owned land or in a City facility.

Yes

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* 26. All events within the Hamilton Winterfest program must supply a certificate of insurance to Cobalt Connects and the City of Hamilton. All events happening on City owned property must comply with the City of Hamilton S.E.A.T. guidelines for permitting and insurance.

Cobalt Connects and the City of Hamilton are not liable for any losses suffered by community events hosted under the Winterfest promotional program.

Does you event have event insurance?

Yes

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* 27. I acknowledge that my event must have insurance

Agree

Disagree

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* 28. In the weeks following Hamilton Winterfest 2026, you will be sent a short survey to complete to assist us with planning for Hamilton Winterfest 2027. We are asking all 2026 participating organizations to complete the follow up survey. Failure to complete the survey may affect your participation in future Winterfest calendars.
Please indicate your intention to respond to the survey when it is sent in March 2026.

Agree

Disagree

Hamilton Winterfest 2026 - Community Event Application

Question Title

* 1. Event Title

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* 2. Primary Contact Person

Question Title

* 3. Host Organization/ Business:

Question Title

* 4. Host Organization / Business Website:

Question Title

* 5. Host Social Media:

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* 6. Start Date / Time of Event

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* 7. End Date / Time of Event:

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* 8. Event Location Address

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* 9. What is the admission price for your event?

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* 10. Short Event Summary (600 character maximum)Please describe your event. This summary will be used in an online listing and printed guide. Highlight the programming you will be offering, your intended audience, hours of operation, etc.

Question Title

* 11. Is this a one-time event or a recurring event?

Question Title

* 12. Please indicate below which of the Event Criteria your event meets by checking the box. Check all that apply.

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* 13. Please submit 1 - 3 images for promotional purposes. This image should have no text, logo or graphic overlays. You must have permission to use the image submitted.Image 1

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* 14. Image 2

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* 15. Image 3

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* 16. Please submit your organization's logo

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* 17. Who is your anticipated audience? (i.e. Neighbourhood, families, seniors, teens, etc.) Please provide up to 5 key words.

Question Title

* 18. How many people do you anticipate attending your event? Please enter in numeric format (50, 200, etc).

Question Title

* 19. Has your organization participated in Winterfest before? If yes, please indicate which year(s).

Question Title

* 20. Does your event location have accessible washrooms?

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* 21. Does your event location have the following:

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* 22. What is your approximate event budget?

Question Title

* 23. Approximately how many volunteers will your event engage:

Question Title

* 24. Is the event to be held on City property? (Select One)

Question Title

* 25. Have you completed a City of Hamilton SEAT Application? SEAT applications are only required if your event takes place on City owned land or in a City facility.

Question Title

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* 27. I acknowledge that my event must have insurance

Question Title

* 10. Short Event Summary (600 character maximum)

Please describe your event. This summary will be used in an online listing and printed guide. Highlight the programming you will be offering, your intended audience, hours of operation, etc.

* 13. Please submit 1 - 3 images for promotional purposes. This image should have no text, logo or graphic overlays. You must have permission to use the image submitted.

Image 1