Remembrance Day Services
Overnight lighting display
An overnight lighting display will take place at the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street) overnight beginning Monday, November 10, 2025. A cadet vigil will take place Monday, November 10, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, resuming again on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Remembrance Day Service 2025
Residents are invited to attend the Remembrance Day Service at the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street). Please note that front-row seating will be reserved for veterans and their spouses or companions, while some bleacher seating will be available for the public.
The order of proceedings for the City's Remembrance Day Service and Parade on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 is as follows:
- 10:40 a.m.: The Walking March leaves Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie Street) en route to the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street)
- 10:50 a.m.: Civic Service of Remembrance at the Brant County War Memorial, Brant Avenue and Dalhousie Street
A Fly-pass will occur during the service with the B-25 Mitchell and FF46 Firefly aircrafts courtesy of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, weather permitting.
Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to the free Open House and a light luncheon at the Brantford Naval Veterans Association (54 Wadsworth Street) and the Gunners Club (115 Henry Street).
For those unable to attend the service in-person, Rogers TV Brantford will air the service on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Commemorative school speeches
Each year, the City of Brantford’s Remembrance Day Organizing Committee invites students from local schools to participate in a special speech writing challenge. This year, students were invited to write a speech about “The Role of Canadian Soldiers in War One”. Lexi Rose from St. John's College will share her speech during the Remembrance Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
| Remembrance Day Speech written by Lexi Rose from St.John's College |
| November 11th, is a day of great significance-but why? Today, we stand here in recognition of the lives that were lost in many battles or changed forever by them. We do this so we never forget the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers, and the challenges their families experienced for the gift they gave us as a country.
This day serves as a national reminder for us to honour those who gave their lives for our freedom and peace, paying the ultimate sacrifice. The word honour comes with great respect and recognizes someone’s courage, achievements or memory. Growing up, we learned the history of Canada’s involvement in the war effort. Sadly, many of us did not learn how much our own city contributed. Through research, I learned that the city of Brantford, had more than 6000 men and women join the armed forces during World War II—that is more than three times the size of my high school. I couldn’t imagine my life without my friends, my teachers and my family. But these brave men and women left everyone they cared for to fight for a war they did not start. The cenotaph recognizes the brave soldiers from this area and all those who contributed to the war effort. Many people do not know that beyond fighting in the war, the people of this community also helped by supplying materials such as parts for aircrafts and bombers. In Brantford, many of these were produced in the Massey-Harris factory. Looking around, there are many poppies—on our jackets, on wreaths and on buildings and license plates. These flowers represent the soldiers who fought for us; the colour red symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice. The flower is now a symbol of hope, remembrance and peace. The simplicity of this flower and these gatherings give us the opportunity to recognize those who allow us to stand here today. To me, Remembrance Day is not only about thanking people who have fought but also appreciating the little things in life. The things we take for granted such as: a job, an education, a family. The things soldiers did not get to experience. People who surround us are a constant reminder of their purpose. Even though Remembrance Day is only once a year, we can still remember and be thankful for their sacrifice each day. As a student, Remembrance Day has given me and many others a chance to learn about its significance, the history of our country, and the many ways our small town contributed to the freedom of our world. I am thankful for this opportunity and I am honoured to have been able to share what I have learned. So wear your poppy. And continue to appreciate all the small things in life—they came at a great cost. |
Temporary road closures
Attendees driving to the Remembrance Day Services should be aware that ongoing road construction has reduced Brant Avenue (Dalhousie Street to Colborne Street) to a single southbound lane, and Icomm Drive (Colborne Street to Market Street) to a single eastbound lane. Icomm Drive (Market Street, South to Clarence Street, South) has been reduced to a single lane in each direction. These closures are required as part of essential work related to the downtown revitalization project and place strain on traffic flow in and around the downtown. Construction details can be found at www.Brantford.ca/DowntownDetours.
The following streets will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. for the City’s Remembrance Day Services:
- Dalhousie Street between Market Street to Brant Avenue
- Brant Ave. between Church Street and Colborne Street
Detour routes will be signed to accommodate vehicular traffic.
Parking and transit
Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, free parking will be provided at downtown area municipal parking lots and for veterans in the RBC parking lot. Parking time restrictions at on-street parking spaces in the downtown area will be waived. Brantford Transit fares will also be waived for riders attending the service. You can find updated routes and schedules at Brantford.ca/Transit.
Subscribe to this Page
