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.
Special Events and Programs
Special Events
Coffee House in the Carriage House-Saturday, September 26, 2026
Back in the Day: A Musical Trip Through the 1960s-Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2026
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.
An Evening of Local Spooky Ghost Stories-Friday, October 23, 2026
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.
Halloween Fun Fair-Sunday, October 25, 2026
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.
NEW! The Bell Mystery Experience-November 13 and November 14, 2026
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.
Bell Homestead NHS Holiday Bake Sale-Order by November 20 and pick-up on November 28, 2026
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.
A Bell Homestead Christmas Carol-December 5 and December 6, 2026
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.
Candlelight Christmas Celebration-December 12, 2026
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 to Mrs. Bell’s Little Christmas-December 13, 2026
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.
NEW! Valentine’s Tea and Candlelight Experience-February 14, 2027
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.
Winter Fun Fest Family Day Museum Tour-February 15, 2027
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.
Programs
Fall 2026 and winter 2027 program registration dates:
- City of Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River residents can register for Winter 2027 Programs (excluding swim lessons) on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.
- Registration opens to all on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.
Parent and Child S.T.E.A.M Fun (ages 2 to 5 with a caregiver)
Your child will explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through story time and fun hands-on activities. Kids should wear comfortable clothing that can get messy. The program is led by an instructor and supported by parents or care providers helping their child with activities.
| Day | Dates | Sessions | Time | Cost | Activity number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | September 15 to October 27, 2026 | 6 | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | $50.00 | 27974 |
| Tuesday | January 5 to February 9, 2027 | 6 | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. | $50.00 | 27975 |
Cooking in Mrs. Bell's Kitchen (ages 6 to 12)
Do you want to learn baking skills from the last 150 years? Do you want to try historical recipes from all over the world? Then this fun cooking program is perfect for your kids! They can have a blast cooking in our 1870s kitchen on a real wood stove and learn basic culinary skills. Caregivers are invited to attend on the final evening for a pop-up restaurant at The Exchange Café. Please note that the same recipes will be used for the Tuesday and Thursday classes.
| Day | Dates | Sessions | Time | Cost | Activity number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | October 13 to November 17, 2026 | 6 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | $70.00 | 27965 |
| Thursday | October 15 to November 19, 2026 | 6 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | $70.00 | 27966 |
Mr. Bell's Creativity Lab (ages 10 to 14)
If you are a homeschooled student who loves to make, create and invent things, this exciting program is for you! Experienced staff will explore art, science, and invention with participants through fun, hands-on activities.
| Day | Dates | Sessions | Time | Cost | Activity number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | October 16 to November 13, 2026 | 5 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | $65.00 | 27976 |
| Friday | October 16 to November 13, 2026 | 5 | 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | $65.00 | 27977 |
| Thursday | January 14 to February 11, 2027 | 5 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | $65.00 | 27978 |
| Thursday | January 14 to February 11, 2027 | 5 | 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | $65.00 | 27979 |
Paint Night at The Exchange Café (ages 18+)
Spend an evening painting and enjoying a warm tea or coffee and yummy treat in our cozy café. An experienced painter will guide you step-by-step, in creating your own masterpiece. No experience is necessary. All supplies, tea, coffee and treats are included in the cost. White and red wine will be available for purchase. Attendees who would like to purchase wine must present a valid Driver's License.
| Day | Dates | Sessions | Time | Cost | Activity number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28533 |
| Wednesday | October 28, 2026 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28534 |
| Wednesday | November 25, 2026 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28535 |
| Wednesday | December 16, 2026 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28536 |
| Wednesday | January 27, 2027 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28537 |
| Wednesday | February 24, 2027 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28538 |
| Wednesday | March 31, 2027 | 1 | 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. | $40.00 | 28539 |
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