National Youth Week celebrates youth across Canada. Youth Week is always May 1 to 7 each year. Brantford Youth Council (BYC) is a proud host of youth week in partnership with the City of Brantford.
Community Flag Raising
All are welcome to join the official Brantford Youth Week kick-off on Thursday, April 30 at 4 p.m. in Harmony Square. Come hear youth speeches and celebrate the amazing contributions of local youth.
2026 Brantford Youth Excellence Awards
Join the City of Brantford and Brantford Youth Council on Monday, May 11, 2026 for an evening of celebrating Youth Excellence at the Sanderson Centre for Performing Arts. Beginning at 6 p.m. in the Lobby, there will be a photo booth, youth visual art displays, and a youth makers market. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Brantford Youth Excellence Awards will be taking place on stage, including performances by local youth musicians. At 8:30 p.m., headline performers Superstar Crush will take the stage to close out the night!
All youth are welcome to attend. Registration is encouraged.
Additional 2026 Youth Week activities
| Friday, May 1 |
- Brantford Youth Council- Board Game Social – join BYC from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Wilfrid Laurier University’s Carnegie Hall Room 100 (73 George St., basement floor) for an evening of board games and bubble tea. This event is for high school aged youth (13-18). Bring your own board game to share! This event is free to attend.
- Free Open Gym for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Play sports in the gymnasium using various equipment provided.
- Free access to the youth WLounge for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today!
- Free Drop-in Youth Basketball for ages 11 to 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Basketballs are available to use for play.
- Free Game Night for ages 11 to 17, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in to play some board games and hang out with friends.
- Woodman After Dark, ages 11 to 17, from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. $3.50 for non-members or free for Youth Members. Find details at www.Brantford.ca/YouthAfterDark.
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| Saturday, May 2 |
- Brantford Youth Council Volleyball Tournament – Register your team of 6-8 players (must be high school aged to participate: ages 13-18) by April 28 at 4 p.m. for this free tournament. Creative team uniforms encouraged! Registration required
- Free Open Gym for ages 11 to 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Play sports in the gymnasium using various equipment provided.
- Free access to the youth WLounge for ages 11 to 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today
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| Monday, May 4 |
- Free Open Gym for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Play sports in the gymnasium using various equipment provided.
- Free access to the youth WLounge for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today.
- Free Drop-in Youth Basketball for ages 11 to 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Basketballs are available to use for play.
- Free Game Night for ages 11 to 17, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in to play some board games and hang out with friends.
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| Tuesday, May 5 |
- Free Youth Pickleball for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rackets, balls and nets are provided.
- Free access to the youth WLounge for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today.
- Free Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Workshop
Ages 11 to 17 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Activity Number 25797) Hosted in partnership with PawTastic Pottery this program will be run with City of Brantford youth staff on-site at PawTastic pottery studio (10 Stanley Street). Participants must provide their own transportation to the studio, for information on this program please e-mail youth@brantford.ca Pre-register your attendance online at www.Brantford.ca/ACTIVEnet or by calling 519-759-4150 ext. 5079.
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| Wednesday, May 6 |
- Free Open Gym for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Play sports in the gymnasium using various equipment provided.
- Free access to the youth W Lounge for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today!
- Free Drop-in Youth Basketball for ages 11 to 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Basketballs are available to use for play.
- Brantford Youth Council Intergenerational Story Exchange Event BYC’s History & Culture Subcommittee will be creatively capturing the stories of lifelong Brantford residents to share with youth in the Brantford community. Are you a lifelong resident of Brantford over the age of 55? Are you interested in sharing your stories and perspectives about your time in Brantford with local youth? This event is for you! Registration is required. Beginning March 9, you can also register at the St. Paul Branch of the Brantford Public Library. If you have questions, email brantfordyouthcouncil@brantford.ca
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| Thursday, May 7 |
- Free Drop-in Youth Badminton for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Badminton supplies are available to use for play.
- Free access to the youth W Lounge for ages 11 to 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Drop-in and use our gaming systems, board games, pool table and more. Become a Youth Member today.
- Free Open Gym for ages 11 to 17, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street. Play sports in the gymnasium using various equipment provided.
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