WinterFest Reading Route through Hamilton

January 31 – February 16, 2026 

WinterFest is Hamilton’s annual celebration of the season, bringing together art, culture, literature, music, and  community activities across the city’s downtown and neighbourhood spaces. 

See the image at the bottom of this post for the route or download your own! This Reading Route is your guide to WinterFest stops and experiences, highlighting key locations, events, and  cultural hubs to explore throughout the festival. Be sure to check out gritLIT’s planned activities this year that  showcase the city’s strong storytelling and writing community as part of the broader WinterFest experience. 

WinterFest Locations 

Workers Arts & Heritage Centre 
51 Stuart St, Hamilton, ON L8L 1B5

The Gasworks 
141 Park St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2N4

Hamilton Theatre Inc. 
140 MacNab St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2M3

Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) 
123 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4S8

Theatre Aquarius 
190 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8

Mosaic Bar 
431 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2Y5

For more WinterFest venues and event details, check out Hamilton WinterFest 2026:  https://www.hamiltonwinterfest.ca/

Café and Lunch Locations 

1. Synonym Coffee 
   328 James St North 
   Snacks & pastries; some vegan  options

2. Fibs Cafe 
   224 James St North 
   Coffee & light brunch

3. Mulberry Coffeehouse 
   193 James St North 
   Full menu; vegan & gluten-free  options

4. Noir Kitchen &  Lounge 
   137 Locke St South
   Luxurious dining experience;  Italian & American-inspired  dishes and crafted drinks

5. Relay Coffee Roasters 
   27 King William St 
   Snacks & light food; vegan options

6. One For All Coffee 
   241 King St East 
   Desserts; limited vegan options

7. Cafe Oranje 
   312 King St East 
   Coffee, sandwiches; vegan &  gluten-free options

8. Saint James Espresso Bar & Eatery
   170 James St South 
   Full menu; vegetarian & vegan options

9. Durand Coffee 
   142 Charlton Ave East 
   Snacks only
   

gritLIT Locations

Mosaic Bar 
431 Barton St E 
Join gritLIT’s Pages, Pens and Pints and literary trivia, and  much more on select evenings at Mosaic.

Homewood Suites by Hilton
40 Bay St S 
Visit gritLIT’s annual festival in April. From writing workshops to author panels, interviews to author signings, the annual festival is the place for both readers and writers!