Special Events and Programs

On Thursday, August 20, 2026, enjoy an evening outdoor performance by the Brantford Community Symphony Orchestra featuring classical music enjoyed by the Bell family and modern favourites. The outdoor concert is weather permitting and begins at 7:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the music in front of the Bell family’s 1870s home. This event is free, however donations are welcome towards future Bell Homestead NHS programs and events.

In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled to Friday, August 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., join us for an evening of live acoustic music with the talented Andrew Muller. Cool fact: Andrew is Dr. Alexander Graham Bell’s great-great-great grandson! Included in the cost of your ticket, enjoy delicious finger foods and refreshments served in the carriage house. You can purchase tickets for $40 per person, including tax, online at www.Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet or at front door.

Local band, Pleasant Ridge, will take you on a musical journey through the 60s featuring ballads to bluesy, pop to folk, rock to Motown and more. This free event will take place in the Bell Homestead Carriage House on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Refreshments will be available for purchase. This event is free, however donations are welcome towards future Bell Homestead NHS programs and events. 

Purchase a ticket and gather after dark for a calm and engaging evening on Friday, October 23, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Explore the region’s mysterious past with eerie tales, historic legends, and experience a few chills. Live performers will share local ghost stories from Brantford and nearby communities through dramatic readings and short scenes. Refreshments will be available for purchase. You an purchase tickets for $20 per person, including tax, online at www.Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet. 

On Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., create a craft to take home and play fun old-fashioned Halloween-themed games. Home-baked goods and refreshments will be available for purchase at The Exchange Cafe. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes. This event is free, however donations are welcome towards future Bell Homestead NHS programs and events. 

On Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, step into an evening of intrigue inspired by the life of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., explore the Bell Homestead NHS as you search for clues and piece together a mystery, encountering live actors who bring the story to life. The evening continues in The Exchange Café, where you can enjoy refreshments while collaborating with others to brainstorm clues and solve the mystery. Tickets cost $35.00 per person and can be purchased online at Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet.

City staff and volunteers at The Exchange Café are baking up a storm so you don’t have to this holiday
season. Mix and match one dozen cookies for $10 (minimum half a dozen per variety) or six squares, tarts
or biscuits for $10.

Orders must be placed by Friday, November 20, 2026 and must be picked up and paid for on Saturday, November 28, 2026 at the Bell Homestead NHS Visitor Centre between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. View a list of goodies at Brantford.ca/BellHomestead. To order, please call 519-756-6220 or email bellhomestead@brantford.ca.

No need to say “Bah Humbug” this year! Get into the Christmas spirit with an adapted reading of the classic
Dickens’ tale of Scrooge and his transformation from a bitter, cold-hearted miser to a charitable, compassionate gentleman. Purchase tickets to join us on Saturday, December 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or Sunday, December 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $25 per person, including tax. Take a walk through the Bell’s 1870s home decorated for a 19th-century Christmas, then enjoy the tale and music of the season with the talented local band, Pleasant Ridge, performing in the museum’s theatre. Complimentary, light holiday snacks will be served during intermission. Tickets can be purchased online at Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet using activity number 28548.

Tour the Bell Homestead decorated for a Victorian Christmas amidst the soft glow of candles and oil lamps.
Tour the home and enjoy the sounds of beautiful seasonal music in the drawing room and treats in Eliza Bell’s
kitchen. Children can also participate in a Christmas scavenger hunt. Scrumptious desserts and beverages
are available for purchase in The Exchange Café or you can do some holiday shopping at The Phone Booth
Museum Store before or after your tour.

One-hour tours are available beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the last tour being offered at 8:00 p.m. Tours
are limited to a maximum of eight people. Book in advance by calling 519-756-6220 or emailing
bellhomestead@brantford.ca. This event is free however donations are welcome towards future Bell Homestead NHS programs and events.

Drop-in on Sunday, December 13, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of old-fashioned holiday fun. Tour the Bell Homestead decorated for a Victorian Christmas and sample freshly baked shortbread cookies in Mrs. Bell’s kitchen, while quantities last. Enjoy a reading of a classic Christmas story in the Homestead library and live festive fiddle music in the Homestead drawing room. Kids ages 4 to 9 can create and take home a special craft and play fun games. If you’re lucky, Father Christmas will stop in for a visit during his busiest time of the year! Scrumptious desserts and beverages will also be available for purchase in The Exchange Café. This event is free however donations are welcome towards future Bell Homestead NHS programs and events. 

On Valentine’s Day (Sunday, February 14, 2026), enjoy an elegant evening tea in The Exchange Café from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The team will offer a Valentine-themed experience with sweet and savoury treats and a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage in a quaint setting. End the evening with a guided candlelit tour of the beautiful historic home, where a guide will share romantic and heartfelt love stories about the Bell family. Purchase tickets for $35 per person, including tax, online at Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet. Tickets are limited.

Families are invited to pre-book a guided tour for a special rate on Family Day (Monday, February 15, 2027). Tour Dr. Alexander Graham Bell’s home, see where he invented Canada’s first telephone and visit the museum’s new Telephone Exhibition. Hourly tours are available beginning at 9:00 a.m., with the last tour taking place at 3:00 p.m. Tours cost $4 per person, including tax, and are limited to a maximum of 8 people. Children ages 4 and under are free. Book in advance by calling 519-756-6220 or emailing bellhomestead@brantford.ca.