The 2023 Frost Bites community-embedded festival centres on nourishment and social justice, using art as an entry point to deepen our understanding on a myriad of urgent topics!
FROST BITES heats up the coldest month of the year with a six-day smorgasbord of events! From hands-on creative workshops for kids and their grownups to welcoming theatrical offerings each evening, festivities take place in the community at the Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre (876 Cannon Street East), Theatre Aquarius Arts Centre (191 King William Street, across from Theatre Aquarius), and on the HSR transit route between them.
Featuring curated shows, live music, community discussions led by local changemakers, participatory storytelling sessions, skating lessons and demonstrations, a DJ dance party on the ice, and a handmade lantern-led procession of light in Ward 3, there is so much to keep the whole family engaged for a week in February. With a focus on low and no-cost activities, Frost Bites was developed in the community and for the community, and we invite you to join your neighbours to participate in the arts this winter!
HFTco is revisioning Frost Bites. The site-specific winter arts festival will move into a 2-year format, with the first year spent in development with artists and community members. The second year will see this work presented in a festival format alongside artists from the national community.
The 7th annual winter performance festival Frost Bites re-launches as a one-week community-embedded biennale in 2023. Frost Bites presents featured and partnered bite’ size and feature length performances and activities in rotation over 6 days at partnered venues in Hamilton, with ancillary community interventions, family activities, meals, and workshops taking place over the week. Join us as we heat up Hamilton during the coldest month of the year!
2023 featured performances respond to themes developed through our 2022 community-based residency. The Frost Bites community-based residency invites local activists and advocates working in social justice, to participate alongside local artists as the subjects of interviews and as creative storytellers.
Meet the Changemakers
The Changemakers storytelling group were the primary inspiration for the content and curation for this year’s festival. In the winter of 2022, HFTco led a series of storytelling workshops and filmed interviews with these local changemakers. Witness their storytelling as interpreted through the lens of local artists at Frost Bites 2023. The event will feature live conversations with powerful local activists at a unique showing each evening, furthering the investigation into community-building.
Jordan Carrier
Jordan Carrier
Robin Lacambra
Robin Lacambra
Fareh Malik
Fareh Malik
Ahona Mehdi
Ahona Mehdi
How It Works
Frost Bites offers participatory and interactive experiences that are focused on building a sense of community and connectivity, bringing us together at a time when we must remain physically apart. Five artistic companies present a series of inspirational experiences that include innovative uses of technology and engage audiences in unique ways. Offerings include self-led outdoor recreational experiences across Hamilton and interactive digital performances that you can enjoy from home.
- Go on to the Hamilton Fringe website
- Download a festival program to review the available shows and experiences
- Check if the experience requires the use of a phone, YouTube, or travel to a specific recreational spot
- Buy a pass to attend all the shows, or buy an individual ticket
- Make a day of it, or enjoy a couple of experiences a day
Apply to Frost Bites
Accessing Frost Bites Venues
Frost Bites Brochure Pick-up Locations
Coming soon!
Grab a physical copy of this years’ brochure and schedule.
The Cannon | 179 Ottawa St. N.
Coach & Lantern | 384 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
Democracy Coffee House | 202 Locke St. S.
Detour Cafe | 41 King St. W., Dundas
Emerald Coffee Co. | 340 Barton St. E.
Mulberry Coffeehouse | 193 James St. N.
Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery | 1020 King St. W.
Redchurch Cafe + Gallery | 68 King St. E.
Relay Coffee | 27 King William St & 27 Dundurn St N
Vintage Coffee Roasters | 977 King St. E.
Sponsors and Partners