Brantford’s annual Scare in the Square returns with more spook-tacular fun for all ages

BRANTFORD, ON- The City of Brantford is preparing for the return of the frightfully fun annual Scare in the Square event on Friday, October 3 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. A wide variety of family-friendly Halloween-themed activities, parades and contests will take place at Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie St.). Spookier activities geared to teens and adults will take place at Mohawk Park (51 Lynwood Dr.). Free shuttles will be available to move attendees between Harmony Square and Mohawk Park.

“The City of Brantford’s Special Events team is brewing up a thrilling Halloween event that is sure to delightfully fright residents of all ages,” says Jennifer Middleton, Special Events Supervisor. “The City is extremely grateful for the continued support of the Downtown Brantford BIA and local community partners, whose generosity help make it possible to offer affordable quality activities.”

Family-friendly activities

Families can expect all their favourite free annual Halloween activities in Harmony Square this year. Be sure to check out the charming scarecrow and carved pumpkin displays and cast your vote for your favourite. Create a Halloween-themed craft to decorate your own home this Halloween season, at Casper’s Craft Corner on Friday, October 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lace up, dress up, and groove to thrilling music at the roller-skating party on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Onsite registration is required for roller skating and rentals will be available for $10. New this year, visit the Boo-tique nail salon to have your nails painted with a seasonal spooky sparkle on Friday, October 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Character meet and greets will be available with Puppy Napper and the Patriotic Captain on Friday, October 3 from 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the Rose Princess and Handsome Brute on Saturday, October 5, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

On Friday, October 3, don’t miss the HOWL-o-ween Dog Parade presented by Global Pet Foods that begins at 5:30 p.m. Costume judging will follow the parade.

On Saturday, October 4, watch the free Tiny Tots Parade of little ones marching down the street showing off their imaginative outfits at 1 p.m. Children are invited to wear their costumes and trick-or-treat downtown and check out the Stationary Jeep Parade between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed by a costume judging contest with plenty of amazing prizes to be won at 4 p.m. Take the opportunity to learn the iconic dance moves from Michael Jackson’s classic hit, Thriller, with Quinn Morris beginning at 5 p.m.

Amusement rides and carnival games are back! Families can purchase tickets for and enjoy the fun. Rides and Games are open on Friday, October 3 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Purchase play all day wrist bands, $7 per person/day or $10 per person/both days. Single ride tickets are available for $2 each. A variety of attraction packages and Ride-All-Day wristbands are also available to purchase.

To enjoy extra spooky family-fun, purchase tickets for a Paranormal Tour with the secret location soon to be revealed, presented by the Ontario Paranormal Society or see if you have what it takes to solve a series of puzzles in the Witches’ Hut, The Clown’s Dressing Room, or the new Hot Seat Solo escape rooms, hosted by Five Nineteen Productions. Children ages 10 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over to enter the escape rooms. Visit Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare for information on attraction prices and unbeatable package deals you won't want to miss.

Beat the lines and purchase attraction tickets in advance at the Harmony Square office at 89 Dalhousie Street, on Tuesday, September 23 or Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the event. Refunds will not be offered for unused tickets.

Activities for teenagers and adults

Dare to face your fears at the Scare in the Square clown-themed Haunted House, hosted by the Fright Club, in the Mohawk Park Pavilion. The frightfully fun haunted house is open Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a labyrinth of spine-chilling scares. Participants must be ages 14 or over or accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over to enter the haunted house.

Take a walk through the Mohawk Trail and journey into a series of portals the bring nightmares to life in an unforgettable experience. This free event takes place Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 5, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is sponsored by Heads or Tails Gaming. To participate, attendees must be aged 14 or over, or with an adult aged 18 or over to enter.

Enjoy a free drive-in movie with a screening of the 2017 movie IT at Mohawk Park upper parking lot on Friday, October 3, 2025, beginning at 8 p.m. The movie is R rated and not intended for children. Parking is limited so be sure to arrive early to guarantee a spot and watch out for some added jump scares!

Detailed schedules, information and pricing details can be found at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare. Join the conversation on Harmony Square’s Facebook page using the hashtag #ScareintheSquare.

Transportation

Brantford Transit is available to attendees looking for transportation to Harmony Square, with the main terminal conveniently located only one block away. Schedules, routes and rates are available online at Brantford.ca/Transit. Free shuttles are available to take attendees to and from Harmony Square and Mohawk Park on Friday and Saturday between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Shuttle pick-ups are located on Colborne Street at Harmony Square and the lower level of Mohawk Park.

Involvement opportunities

There are several ways for local businesses and organizations to be involved in this year’s Scare in the Square event.

Sponsorship
Donate prizes for contests
Hand out treats to trick-or-treaters
Participate in the storefront decorating contest
Enter the pumpkin carving contest
Decorate a scarecrow and enter the scarecrow decorating contest

Find out how to be involved at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare.

Volunteer opportunities

The City of Brantford is currently seeking volunteers to assist with various Scare in the Square duties. High school community hours will be available. Accepted volunteers will be required to take mandatory virtual training on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Volunteer Applications are available at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare and will be accepted until Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Thank you to this year’s partners and sponsors

Our sincere thanks to our community sponsors for making this incredible lineup of activities possible including; Associated Paving, Boyle Plumbing and Heating, Cooperators McMillian Insurance, Downtown Brantford BIA, Five Nineteen Productions, Fright Club, Global Pet Foods, Heads or Tails Gaming, Hudson Public Kitchen and Bar, JH Young Jewellers, The Ontario Paranormal Society, Millards Chartered Professional Accountants and TD Bank. To become a sponsor for this event please contact harmonysquare@brantford.ca.

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Media contact:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Advisor, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext.5218 | ssayles@brantford.ca