PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Outdoor skating

Lace up your skates Hamilton’s Waterfront Outdoor Rink – Pier 8 is closed due to the weather. But the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond ice pad, 1340 Lakeshore Rd., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for free skating. Skate rentals and sharpening services are now available. Rentals are only Friday evenings, weekends, over the winter break and holidays. Skates must be worn on the ice and children six years and under must wear a CSA-approved helmet. For a full list of rules http://www.burlington. ca/pond

Royal Botanical Gardens Holiday Traditions continues at the RBG, 680 Plains Rd. W., daily until Jan. 3. Hours are Sunday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. New this year is the RBG Express train ride through Hendrie Park. Regular admission rates apply.

Step back A Christmas in the Pioneer Spirit is alive and well at Battlefield House. Experience the warmth and welcome of an early 19th-century Christmas. The Gage family home comes alive. This holiday event runs noon to 4 p.m. daily until Jan. 3. Regular admission rates apply. Battlefield house is located at 77 Main Street West, Stoney Creek.

Tim Hortons free holiday skating

Burlington: Appleby Ice Centre Pad 1: Dec. 30, 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 1, noon to 4 p.m., Appleby Ice Centre Pad 2: Jan. 1, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; Appleby Ice Centre Pad 3: Dec. 31, noon to 4 p.m.; Appleby Ice Centre Pad 4, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Jan. 2, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Central Recreation Centre: Mainway Recreation Centre, Jan. 2, to 5 p.m.; Mountainside Recreation Centre: Dec. 29 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 30, 2 to 5 p.m.; Nelson Arena: Dec. 28, 4 to 8 p.m.; Skyway Arena: Dec. 27, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Caledonia: Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: Dec. 28, 2 to 3 p.m.; Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to noon. Cayuga: Cayuga Memorial Arena; Dec. 28, 2 to 3 p.m.; Dec. 31, 11 a.m. to noon; Dunnville: Dunnville Memorial Arena: Dec. 28, 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Dec. 30, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Grimsby: Peach King Centre: Dec. 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 28, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Dec. 29, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Dec. 30, 2:30 to 4 p.m.; Dec. 31, 3 to 5:45 p.m. Hamilton: Beverly Arena: Dec. 27, noon to 2 p.m.; Harry Howell (N. Wentworth) Arena: Jan. 2, 1 to 3 p.m.; Lawfield Arena: Dec. 29, 3 to 4:30 p.m.; Market Street Arena: Dec. 29, 10 to 11 a.m.; Morgan Firestone Arena: Jan. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Mountain Arena & Skating Centre: Jan. 2, 3 to 4:45 p.m.; Valley Park Arena: Dec. 27, 1 to 2:30 p.m. http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/corporate/free-skate.php

What’s open and closed for the holidays City Hall

City of Hamilton administrative

offices are closed Dec. 25 to Jan. 4. Burlington City Hall is closed Dec. 24 to Jan. 4.

Recycling, green cart and garbage

Friday’s waste will be collected Saturday, Dec. 26 (Boxing Day).

Recreation

For holiday recreation schedules, visit http://www.hamilton.ca/rec

Libraries

All Hamilton-branch locations are closed Saturday, Dec. 26. Visit http://hpl.ca/hours

Transportation

HSR – Holiday schedule for Boxing Day. For HSR information, call 905-527-4441. DARTS – will operate holiday hours on Dec. 26. All subscription trips on DARTS, with the exception of dialysis, are cancelled for these days. If passengers need to travel on these days, they must call DARTS reservations at 905-529-1717 to book their trips. DARTS service on New Year’s Eve will be free after 6 p.m.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market

Opens again on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Museums

Hamilton civic museums will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is closed Dec. 26. Compiled by Kathi Aitken, The Hamilton Spectator