Family-friendly Activities

FREE Halloween Roller Skate (Friday and Saturday)

Skate into fun with a free Halloween-themed roller skate on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This skate takes place in Harmony Square downtown Brantford and is presented by Mitsui High-tec (Canada). On-site registration is required. Retro Rollers Inc. skate rentals are available on-site, on a first-come-first-serve for your shoe size, for $10.00 per pair. Debit, credit and cash payments are accepted. Sizes range from J12 to adult size 15.

Free HOWL-o-ween Dog Costume Contest (Friday)

Dress-up your furry friend(s) and join us at the HOWL-O-Ween Dog Parade on Friday, October 3, 2025 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Have a howl-ing good time watching them strut their stuff in their most creative costumes. This fun-filled occasion features an array of amazing prizes for various categories, along with exciting activities and treats for both pets and their owners. Don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your dogs personality at this fun event, presented by Global Pet Foods.

Free Trick or Treating (Saturday)

Head over to Harmony Square and pick-up a copy of our special trick-or-treating map and free bag, while supplies last. Explore downtown Brantford as you pick up treats from participating businesses. Be warned, they might make you do a trick! Trick-or-treating begins at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Be sure to enter the costume judging contest. Judging for adults and children begins at 4:00 p.m., on October 4 on the main stage in Harmony Square. There are lots of cool prizes to be won!

Free Stationary Jeep and Mustang Parade (Saturday)

The Stationary Jeep and Mustang Parade features cool jeeps and mustangs transformed into festive Halloween displays. Each vehicle is creatively decorated with spooky and fun Halloween decorations, and will be handing out candy for kids to continue trick-or-treating. This event takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you to the Brantford Jeep Club and United Mustangs of Ontario.

Free Kids and Adults Costume Contest (Saturday)

Be sure to dress up for a chance to win cool prizes! The kids and adult costume contest takes place in Harmony Square on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. View contest categories and rules below.

Contest categories 
  • Best Homemade Costume (Adult and Child): This costume must be made with love, and made by hand, this is no store-bought creation!
  • Most Realistic (Adult and Child): the costume that makes us all do a double take, it’s so real.
  • Best Group/Family: This costume is the best for a group of three or more people.
  • Best Couple: Best family-friendly couple costume
  • Best Special Effects (Adult and Child): this is the “wow how did they do that?!” category
  • • Best Classic Costume -(Adult and Child): Pumpkin? Vampire? Witch? This costume makes you think “now this is what Halloween is all about!”
  • Best Fairytale Costume (Adult and Child): This costume straight out of a fairytale book
  • Punniest Costume (Adult and Child): The costume that in equal measures makes you laugh and roll your eyes.
  • Best Superhero/Villain (Adult and Child): we need a hero (or villain)!
  • Best Zombie (Adult and Child): it’s the 15th year we have had this category. We’d hoped you know what it means by now.
  • Judge’s Favourite (Adult and Child)
Contest rules
  • Winners can only win in one category, no repeat winners.
  • By entering this contest you are agreeing to have your photo taken with the potential of it being used on social media and/or for marketing.

Free Tiny Tots Parade (Saturday)

The Tiny Tots Parade is a fun-filled event where little ones dress up in their favourite costumes and march around Harmony Square. The parade begins on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.  Don't miss a chance to show off your imaginative outfits in this delightful celebration for attendees of all ages. Those wishing to participate can meet at the main stage in Harmony Square. 

Free Casper’s Craft Corner

Create a free Halloween-themed keepsake craft to take home with Family Gatherings Urban EarlyON. Get crafty at Casper’s Craft Corner on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Free Boo-tique Nail Salon

Visit the free Boo-tique Nail Salon presented by Fabulash Lounge to get your fingernails painted in a festive orange or black on Friday, October 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free Thriller Dance by Quinn (Saturday)

Learn the iconic dance movies from Michael Jackson's classic hit, Thriller, with Quinn Morris on Saturday, October 4, 2025 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Seasoned dancers or a curious beginners are welcome. Master the spooky choreography, and become part of a thrilling, dance-filled adventure.

Free Character Meet and Greet

On Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., hold your dogs tight while Puppy Napper is on site.  Don't worry, the Patriotic Captain will be onsite to keep her in check. On Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., attendees can meet the Rose Princess and Handsome Brute. Character Meet and Greets are presented by ServiceMaster Restore of Brantford and Co-operators McMillan Insurance. Character Meet and Greets are presented by ServiceMaster Restore of Brantford and Co-operators McMillan Insurance.

Free Disney Trivia at Hudson Public (registration required)

Gather your friends and family for a magical evening of Disney trivia! Assemble your ultimate team and put your Disney knowledge to the test at our Disney Trivia event, happening on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Register to join us at Hudson Public, located at 93 Dalhousie Street, next to Harmony Square. Showcase your expertise on all things Disney, in a fun and competitive atmosphere. Register your team in advance by calling 519-304-4561. Space is limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Escape Room

Rates: $5 per person, per room

See if you have the skill to complete the Witches’ Hut or The Clown’s Dressing Room escape rooms, hosted by Five Nineteen Productions. Children ages 10 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over to enter. New this year, try Hot Seat Solo Escape Room with no one to rely on but yourself for escape!

Purchase your tickets in the Harmony Square Office at 89 Dalhousie Street. Each Escape Room allows a minimum of two people and maximum of seven people in each room.

  • Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 
  • Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Witches' Hut Escape Room
The witch has stolen a priceless family heirloom from you. Your group needs to break into her hut and get it back before she catches you.
The Clown's Dressing Room Escape Room
Our clown has gone missing and the show starts in five minutes! Figure out where he went and replace him before the show starts.
NEW! The Hot Seat Solo Escape Room
The Hot Seat is a high-intensity, two-minute solo escape room designed for maximum pressure and quick thinking. The player must hold down a button for the entire game, if they let go, it's all over. While anchored in place, they must solve two rapid-fire puzzles using logic, observation, and focus. The Hot Seat delivers adrenaline-pumping fun in a compact, repeatable format. How long can you take the heat? This escape room is for those aged 11 and older.

Paranormal Tours

Rates: $5 per person, per tour

Spooky Paranormal Tours will be available at Brant County Museum and Archives (57 Charlotte Street), and cost $5 per person. Tours run hourly beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, with the last tour taking place at 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning at 3:00 p.m. with the last tour taking place at 9:00 p.m. Time slotted tickets are available for purchase in the Harmony Square Office at 89 Dalhousie Street.

Directions: Starting in Harmony Square, turn right onto Dalhousie Street, then left onto Charlotte Street. The Brant County Museum and Archives is two blocks up on the right.

Amusement Rides and Carnival Games

Rates: $7 per person for 1 Ride/Play- All- Day Wristband or $2 for 1 single ride/play ticket

Amusement rides are back and better than ever and new this year, we’re adding a carnival games section featuring classics like the bottle ring toss and more! Come enjoy the fun on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It’s the perfect way to spend the day with family and friends. Presented by JH Young and Sons LTD, Farm Boy, and Millards Professional Chartered Accountants.