As the trees light up with reds and golds, Ruthven Park becomes a quiet stopover for birds on their long journey south. Early in the morning, you might spot volunteers gently banding tiny warblers and sparrows, checking their feathers, and sending them safely on their way. It’s peaceful, a little bit magical, and a great way to feel connected to the rhythm of the season. If you visit, bring a warm jacket, a thermos of something hot, and a bit of patience—you never know what birds might show up next.

Sept 1st - Nov 7th 

Tuesdays - Thursdays: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Saturdays & Sundays: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Step into a world of colour, creativity, and nature at the Hamilton Fall Garden & Mum Show! Ontario’s largest and longest-running chrysanthemum exhibition, proudly presented by the City of Hamilton’s Horticulture staff since 1920.

Hosted indoors at the Gage Park Greenhouse, this year’s show transforms over 20,000 square feet into a stunning, themed floral showcase featuring more than 200 varieties of chrysanthemums and over 100,000 blooms grown on-site. Every year brings a brand-new theme, and 2025’s "Under the Sea" will immerse visitors in a vibrant underwater world, filled with colourful floral displays, floral sea creatures, coral reefs, and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity and imagination.

Don’t miss out on all the extras!

• Weekend children’s activations and educational experiences!
• Relax with a coffee from our in-house café.
• Take home a piece of the Mum Show by visiting our Flower Market, where you can build your own bouquet, shop fresh-cut flowers, and explore a variety of floral delights.

Lots of free family activities! Rock climbing wall, petting zoo, bounce castle, acorn the squirell, horse and wagon ride, costume contest, candy toss, mystery events, crafts, magician, and more! Donations to Neighbour 2 Neighbour food drive gratefully accepted. Cash BBQ and refreshments. 

This free drop-in program is open to all skaters, general arena rules apply. Wearing a CSA-approved helmet is strongly recommended. For safety reasons please skate with the flow of other skaters. The use of skating aids is not permitted for this program. No registration required.

General Skating Guidelines
Unless otherwise specified, the following guidelines apply to all skating programs:

1. All participants – must respect and abide by posted signs and cooperate with arena staff. Rules are modelled after Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. Public Skating Guidelines (Sept. 2018).

2. Parents/Guardians – must be within sight and control of their children under 12 years. Do not leave children unattended.

3. Use of Helmets – CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory during skating programs with sticks and pucks on the ice, and must include facial protection for those under 18 years. Helmets are strongly recommended in all other programs

4. Keeping pace – maintain reasonable control of your speed, course and direction. Do not skate in groups. Do not stop where you obstruct other skaters. Accept responsibility for knowing the range of your ability while on skates; skate within the limit of that ability and as appropriate to the session in which you’re skating.

5. Food & Beverage Consumption – is permitted in the arena lobby and
spectator seating area only.

6. Games, Hockey Games, and Hockey Sticks – no games are to be played at any time that will endanger the safety and the enjoyment of others. This includes horseplay, hockey games, and the use of hockey sticks.

7. Shoes – ice skates required, no street shoes on ice.

8. Skating Aids – only permitted during the Beginner Skate.

9. Wheelchair Sledges – wheelchairs and sledges are welcome. Individuals using these devices must travel in the same direction as other skaters. Attendants/helpers are welcome to assist however, they must wear skates or ice cleats on the ice surface.

10. Technology – headsets, cell phones, cameras, or other handheld electronic devices are not to be used while skating.

11. Carrying of infants/children – children must not be carried by any means (such as on shoulders, in arms, or any carrier, etc.) while on the ice.

12. Sitting on Boards – patrons may not sit on the rink boards at any time.

13. Figure Skating – figure skating maneuvers are only permitted during open figure skate.

14. Chairs, Sleds, Strollers, and Pylons – are not permitted on the ice surface.

This free drop-in program is open to all skaters, general arena rules apply. Wearing a CSA-approved helmet is strongly recommended. For safety reasons please skate with the flow of other skaters. The use of skating aids is not permitted for this program. No registration required.

General Skating Guidelines
Unless otherwise specified, the following guidelines apply to all skating programs:

1. All participants – must respect and abide by posted signs and cooperate with arena staff. Rules are modelled after Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. Public Skating Guidelines (Sept. 2018).

2. Parents/Guardians – must be within sight and control of their children under 12 years. Do not leave children unattended.

3. Use of Helmets – CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory during skating programs with sticks and pucks on the ice, and must include facial protection for those under 18 years. Helmets are strongly recommended in all other programs

4. Keeping pace – maintain reasonable control of your speed, course and direction. Do not skate in groups. Do not stop where you obstruct other skaters. Accept responsibility for knowing the range of your ability while on skates; skate within the limit of that ability and as appropriate to the session in which you’re skating.

5. Food & Beverage Consumption – is permitted in the arena lobby and
spectator seating area only.

6. Games, Hockey Games, and Hockey Sticks – no games are to be played at any time that will endanger the safety and the enjoyment of others. This includes horseplay, hockey games, and the use of hockey sticks.

7. Shoes – ice skates required, no street shoes on ice.

8. Skating Aids – only permitted during the Beginner Skate.

9. Wheelchair Sledges – wheelchairs and sledges are welcome. Individuals using these devices must travel in the same direction as other skaters. Attendants/helpers are welcome to assist however, they must wear skates or ice cleats on the ice surface.

10. Technology – headsets, cell phones, cameras, or other handheld electronic devices are not to be used while skating.

11. Carrying of infants/children – children must not be carried by any means (such as on shoulders, in arms, or any carrier, etc.) while on the ice.

12. Sitting on Boards – patrons may not sit on the rink boards at any time.

13. Figure Skating – figure skating maneuvers are only permitted during open figure skate.

14. Chairs, Sleds, Strollers, and Pylons – are not permitted on the ice surface.

This free drop-in program is open to all skaters, general arena rules apply. Wearing a CSA-approved helmet is strongly recommended. For safety reasons please skate with the flow of other skaters. The use of skating aids is not permitted for this program. No registration required.

General Skating Guidelines
Unless otherwise specified, the following guidelines apply to all skating programs:

1. All participants – must respect and abide by posted signs and cooperate with arena staff. Rules are modelled after Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. Public Skating Guidelines (Sept. 2018).

2. Parents/Guardians – must be within sight and control of their children under 12 years. Do not leave children unattended.

3. Use of Helmets – CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory during skating programs with sticks and pucks on the ice, and must include facial protection for those under 18 years. Helmets are strongly recommended in all other programs

4. Keeping pace – maintain reasonable control of your speed, course and direction. Do not skate in groups. Do not stop where you obstruct other skaters. Accept responsibility for knowing the range of your ability while on skates; skate within the limit of that ability and as appropriate to the session in which you’re skating.

5. Food & Beverage Consumption – is permitted in the arena lobby and
spectator seating area only.

6. Games, Hockey Games, and Hockey Sticks – no games are to be played at any time that will endanger the safety and the enjoyment of others. This includes horseplay, hockey games, and the use of hockey sticks.

7. Shoes – ice skates required, no street shoes on ice.

8. Skating Aids – only permitted during the Beginner Skate.

9. Wheelchair Sledges – wheelchairs and sledges are welcome. Individuals using these devices must travel in the same direction as other skaters. Attendants/helpers are welcome to assist however, they must wear skates or ice cleats on the ice surface.

10. Technology – headsets, cell phones, cameras, or other handheld electronic devices are not to be used while skating.

11. Carrying of infants/children – children must not be carried by any means (such as on shoulders, in arms, or any carrier, etc.) while on the ice.

12. Sitting on Boards – patrons may not sit on the rink boards at any time.

13. Figure Skating – figure skating maneuvers are only permitted during open figure skate.

14. Chairs, Sleds, Strollers, and Pylons – are not permitted on the ice surface.