Hamilton Festival Theatre Company is pleased to announce the return of Frost Bites, Hamilton’s only winter theatre festival, from February 27-March 8, 2026, in partnership with Theatre Aquarius and The Staircase. Full programming and festival schedule will be announced in January 2026.

New to the team this year, HFTco welcomes Donna-Michelle St. Bernard as the Frost Bites Coordinator to steward six packed days of programming over two weeks. This year’s festival features new works at Theatre Aquarius, family-friendly activities at the Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, and—back by popular demand—form-busting immersive performances in the weird nooks and crannies of the historic Staircase Theatre + Lounge.

The festival opens with “Land, Place, Home” – a community-created performance shaped by the lived experiences of newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. Through movement, voice, and story, “Land, Place, Home” asks what home means in unfamiliar places, and how relationships to land are carried across borders and generations. Directed by Ahmad Meree and featuring Elie Assaf, Wend Yasen and Pravash Pandey, the piece is co-produced by HFTco, Open Heart Arts and Abrar Mental Health & Trauma Services.

Frost Bites will put live indie theatre back in the site-specific spotlight with new work from Devin Bateson, Fareh Malik Poetry, Tapestry Theatre Collective, SpiceBox, Mandy Roveda, Transgendantco. and Triple Futures – as well as short films from Bawaadan Collective, and a cute take on “Three Little Pigs” from Enchantment Theatre.

“This our most exciting year yet, as we bring together all the elements that have made Frost Bites one of Hamilton’s most anticipated winter traditions,” said Donna-Michelle St. Bernard.

Donna-Michelle St. Bernard aka Belladonna the Blest is an emcee, playwright and agitator. DM is associate artist at lemonTree Creations, artistic director of New Harlem Productions and playwright in residence at Theatre Aquarius.

Hamilton Festival Theatre Company (HFTco) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that presents the Hamilton Fringe and Frost Bites festivals. We are committed to training, platforming, and amplifying Hamilton’s theatre artists and storytellers. Since 2003, we have been building a community for artists and arts lovers, and cultivating work that is accessible, innovative, and artistically adventurous.

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Frost Bites Festival

February 27 - March 1 & March 6 - March 8, 2026

Hamilton, Ontario

 • Theatre Aquarius, 190 King William Street

 • Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre, 876 Cannon Street East

 • The Staircase Theatre + Lounge, 27 Dundurn Street North

Schedule and Tickets Details To Be Announced

hftco.ca