Brantford Beats & Eats returns to downtown Brantford on Saturday, September 12

BRANTFORD, ON – The second annual Brantford Beats & Eats festival will return to downtown Brantford on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a full day of live music and entertainment, a vendor market, art demonstrations, a live painting competition, food trucks, and more. Legendary NBA entertainer and the host of NBA All Star Weekend, Q-Mack, will host and emcee the event. The festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 18, was postponed due to an air quality warning in effect at the time.

The day kicks off with live music on the Harmony Square Stage, which will feature an exciting lineup of talented local and touring artists including Jammer's Waffle House    from 11:00 a.m. to 12:05 p.m., Backburner from 12:25 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Garnetta Cromwell from 1:50 p.m. to 2:55 p.m., Wreckless Harbour from 3:15 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., Hayley Verrall from 4:40 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Jace Martin from 6:05 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

Live music will also take place at the Parkette Stage, located beside the Brantford Public Library, at 173 Colborne Street, and will feature Mary Simon from 11 a.m. to 12:05 p.m., The Getaway Blues Band from 12:25 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Gracie Jet from 1:50 p.m. to 2:55 p.m., Quinn Sutherland from 3:15 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., Matt Campbell from 4:40 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Piper & Carson from 6:05 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

Attendees can wander along Colborne Street to take in live art demonstrations, enjoy free magic shows from Awesome Mike Magic, watch an aerial hoop performance between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., try axe throwing with Smash ‘N Axes (for a fee), and browse the artisan and vendor marketplace which will include 12 retail booths. Five food trucks will be on-site with food and beverages for purchase and a licensed patio area sponsored by Shack Bar will be stationed in Harmony Square and open to those 19 years of age and older. Valid government-issued photo identification will be required for entry to the licensed patio. 

New this year will be the Battle of the Brushes live painting competition. Seven participating artists will have 40 minutes to paint their artwork, and the audience will vote to crown the champion. Round one will take place on Colborne Street from 12 p.m. to 12:40 p.m., and the paintings will be the artists’ choice, with a voting period following. Round two will take place from 1 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., and the paintings will be Brantford-themed, with a voting period to follow before the winners are announced.

Free parking is available at the Market Centre Parkade located at 59 Icomm Drive. Downtown road closures will be in effect for the community to enjoy the event. A section of Colborne Street, between Queen Street and Bain Street, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026. 

The full schedule of events is available online at Brantford.ca/BeatsAndEats. 

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Media Contact:

City of Brantford, Communications and Community Engagement
519-759-4150 | communications@brantford.ca