WEEKEND PLANNER

Here’s a handy list to get you out and about over Christmas break.

Tim Hortons free holiday skating

Hamilton: Eastwood Arena: Dec. 23, Dec. 27; Dave Andreychuk (Mountain) Arena and Skating Centre: Dec. 27, Jan. 2 ; Chedoke Arena: Jan. 3, Jan. 4; Bill Friday Lawfield Arena: Dec. 23;Westoby (Olympic) Arena: Dec. 28, Pat Quinn Arean: Dec. 23, ., Dec. 30 ; Rosedale Arena: Dec. 22, Dec. 29; Harry Howell Arena: Dec. 29, Dec. 31; Morgan Firestone Arena: Dec. 28, Dec. 30 ; Valley Park Arena: Dec. 23, Dec. 27 ; Stoney Creek Arena: Dec. 27 ; Saltfleet Arena, Dec. 30

Burlington: Appleby Ice Centre — Pads 1 and 2: Dec. 23, Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Dec. 31, Mountainside Community Centre: Dec. 27, Dec. 29, Jan. 3, Jan. 5: Aldershot Arena: Dec. 27, Dec. 28, Jan. 2, Jan. 3; Nelson Community Centre: Dec. 28; Central Arena: Jan. 2, Jan. 4; Skyway Arena: Jan. 4, Jan. 5; Mainway Ice Centre: Jan. 6

Ohsweken: Six Nations Gaylord Powless Arena: Dec. 29, Dec. 30.

Cayuga: Haldimand County Caledonia Centre: Dec. 24, , Dec. 27, , Dec. 28, , Dec. 29, , Jan. 3, , Jan. 5.

Grimsby: Peach King Centre: Dec. 27,Dec. 28, , Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Dec. 31, Jan. 2; Fleming Centre: Dec. 28, Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Jan. 3, Jan. 5; West Lincoln Arena: Dec. 27Dec. 28, Dec. 29Dec. 30, Dec. 31, , Jan. 2, , Jan. 3, , Jan. 4, Jan. 5. . *Dates may have change; check with local arenas for skate times.

Outdoor skating

Enjoy the NHL-size rink behind Williams Fresh Café, 47 Discovery Dr. The rink is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday to Friday 5 to 10 p.m. Note the following holiday exceptions; Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Christmas Day, closed, and New Year’s Eve, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weather permitting — no sticks or pucks allowed). Skate rental concession and skate sharpening are available. Check for rink conditions at hamiltonwaterfront.com Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond ice pad, 1340 Lakeshore Rd., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed on Dec. 25. Call the ice condition hotline at 905-634-7263. Skate rentals and sharpening services are available Friday evenings, weekends and holidays. burlingtonskaterentals.com/

Snow good

Hamilton tobogganing hills officially opened Friday: Chedoke Golf Course, 563 Aberdeen Ave.; King’s Forest Golf Course, 100 Greenhill Ave.; Garth & Stonechurch Reservoir, 1515 Garth St.; Waterdown Memorial Park, 200 Hamilton St. Burlington has six designated toboggan locations: LaSalle Park, east of the parking lot; Tyandaga Park, at hole No. 4, on west slope; Central Park, the hill northwest of Community Garden; Brant Hills Park, southwest of tennis courts; Nelson Park, east side of park, north of Centennial Bike Path; Lowville Park, the hill on southwest end of park. Some tips to consider: toboggan during the daylight; don’t toboggan on ice or bare ground; scout for obstacles (holes, branches, bumps, trees); helmets are important; never go headfirst down the hill; walk back up the side of the hill, away from other riders. www.hamilton.ca/tobogganing www.burlington.ca/tobogganing

Merry and Bright

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, 900 Woodward Ave. features the “Science of Light” drop-in activity centre. Experiment with light and shadow, play with rainbows and make a sundial. Regular admission rates to the museum apply. hamilton.ca/steammuseum

Counting birds

The 97th Hamilton Christmas Bird Count takes place Tuesday and Jan. 2, but you’ll need to register now. It is a tradition going back to a pair of adventurous birders in 1921 and has grown into an annual outing with more than 100 participants scouring Hamilton for every bird that can be found and identified. To participate, visit hamiltonnature.org and register online.

Boxing Day run

Tuesday is the 97th Hamilton Harriers Boxing Day 10- and 4-Miler. Join Olympians, elite and recreational runners in a 10-mile run or four-mile run or walk. Late participants can sign up for the run or the walk on Tuesday starting at 10 a.m. The runs begin at noon at the YMCA, 79 James St. S. Park for free Boxing Day at City Hall. Race registration is $70 for the 10 mile and $65 for the 4 mile. boxingdayrun.ca

Holiday traditions

Celebrate winter at the Royal Botanical Gardens with Holiday Traditions. These RBG seasonal features continue until Jan. 7. Features include: Santa’s Signature Experience runs to Dec. 23 (registration required); Winter Lights at the Rock is open Dec. 23, 27 to 30 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, either online or at the door; The Escarpment Train Exhibit is on display at the Rock Garden weekends to Dec. 24, and daily Dec. 27 to 31 and Jan. 2 to 7. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Pre-registration is required); The Botanical Train Display is showing at the RBG Centre until Jan. 7.

Dundurn Christmas

It’s a Victorian Christmas with all the trimmings at Dundurn National Historic Site, 610 York Blvd. The Garden Club of Hamilton has decorated the castle in Victorian splendour. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $11.50 for adults, $9.50 for seniors and students, $6 for children, and $30 for a family of four.