Brantford's popular Scare in the Square Halloween event returns October 2 and 3

BRANTFORD, ON- The City is thrilled to announce the return of Brantford’s Scare in the Square on Friday, October 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. A wide variety of family-friendly Halloween-themed activities, inflatables and costume contests will take place at Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie St.). Spookier activities geared to teens 13+ and adults will take place at Mohawk Park (51 Lynwood Dr.). Free accessible shuttles will be available to move attendees between Harmony Square and Mohawk Park on both days.

“Brantford is the place to be this October, filling downtown with spooky fun for all ages,” says Jennifer Middleton, Special Events Supervisor. “It’s always exciting to see residents, local businesses and visitors get into the spirit by dressing up and joining the fun. The City is grateful to our sponsors and volunteers for helping make this free to attend, beloved event possible.” 

Family-friendly activities

Everyone’s favourite annual Halloween activities return to Harmony Square this year, featuring a mix of free and ticketed experiences for all ages. Be inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship of the community scarecrow and pumpkin carving entries and be sure to vote for your favourite. Create a Halloween-themed craft at Casper’s Craft Corner on Friday, October 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Step into style at the Boo-tique Nail Salon, presented by Royal Nails, to have your nails painted in a seasonal orange and black on Friday, October 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Come and visit the Sleeping Princess and Evil Fairy on Friday, October 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Cowboy Sheriff and Yodeling Cowgirl on Saturday, October 3 from 1 pm to 3 pm.

New this year, get ready to turn up the fun and tune into your own beat at the Silent Disco, in partnership with Contact Brant, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 3. Limited glowing headphones will be available to select from multiple music channels for the ultimate, immersive dance party. In addition, be sure to keep an eye out for the Comedy in Motion: Stilt Walking Duo walking around Harmony Square on Saturday, October 3 from 12:50 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and comedy juggling show on the Bell Stage from 1:40 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Unleash the fun and a chance to win prizes for your furry friends at the HOWL-o-ween Dog Parade, presented by Global Pet Foods. Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 2 for the beloved Dog Costume Parade around Harmony Square, followed by dog costume judging and the chance to win incredible prizes for your four-legged friend. View a list of contest categories and prizes to be won at www.Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare.

A live DJ will be onsite spinning thrilling tunes for the Halloween roller skating party, sponsored by Mitsui High-tec (Canada) Inc. on Friday, October 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Onsite registration is required for roller skating and rentals will be available for $5.

On Saturday, October 3, families are invited to explore Downtown Brantford in costume, visit participating businesses for trick-or-treating, and discover special Halloween-themed activities and surprises throughout the core. A stationary Jeep and Mustang display will add to the festive atmosphere between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., followed by a costume judging contest at 4 p.m. featuring amazing prizes. Be sure to stay for Quinn Morris and QM Dance Company Dancers as they lead participants through the iconic Thriller dance choreography in Harmony Square at 5 p.m.

Kiddies Fun Trak amusement rides are returning this year. A variety of attraction packages and Ride-All-Day wristbands will be available to purchase to enjoy the fun on Friday, October 2 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Purchase Ride-All-Day wristbands for $7 per person/day or $10 per person/both days. Single ride tickets can be purchased during the event in the Harmony Square Main Office for $2 each.

Purchase tickets to test your problem-solving skills in one of two immersive Escape Rooms, the Clown’s Dressing Room and the Witch’s Hut, hosted by Five Nineteen Productions or a Paranormal Tour at the Bank of Montreal location on Market St and Darling St, presented by the Ontario Paranormal Society. Children ages 7 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over to enter the escape rooms or take the tour. Visit Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare for information on attraction prices and bundle package deals you won't want to miss.

Beat the lines and purchase attraction tickets in advance at Brantford City Hall at 58 Dalhousie St., Monday, September 21 to Friday, September 25 and Monday, September 28 to Thursday, October 1, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased on-site at the event. Refunds will not be offered for unused tickets.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to donate in support of The Brantford Food Bank. Donation bins will be placed throughout Harmony Square during the event on Friday and Saturday.  

Activities for teenagers and adults

Purchase tickets to enter the Haunted House if you dare, hosted by the Fright Club, in the Mohawk Park Pavilion and prepare to have a frightfully fun time with bone-chilling scares. Continue the fright filled night by taking a walk through the free Scare in the Trail winding its way through the Mohawk Park trails where ghosts and ghouls fear to tread.

To participate in the Scare in the Trail or enter the Movie Slashers Haunted House, attendees must be aged 13 or over, or with an adult aged 18 or over to enter. Both teen and adult activities take place on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are required to enter the Haunted House and can be purchased on site.

Detailed schedules, information and pricing details can be found at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare.

Transportation

Brantford Transit is available to attendees looking for transportation to Harmony Square, with the main terminal conveniently located only one block away. Schedules, routes and rates are available online at Brantford.ca/Transit. Free accessible Brantford Transit shuttles are available to take attendees to and from Harmony Square and Mohawk Park on Friday and Saturday between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Shuttle pick-ups are located on Colborne Street at Harmony Square and the lower level of Mohawk Park.

Involvement opportunities

There are several ways for local businesses and organizations to be involved in this year’s Scare in the Square event:

• Sponsorship
• Donate prizes for contests
• Hand out treats to trick-or-treaters
• Participate in the storefront decorating contest
• Enter the pumpkin carving contest
• Decorate a scarecrow and enter the scarecrow decorating contest
• Find out how to be involved at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare.

Volunteer opportunities

The City of Brantford is currently seeking volunteers to assist with various Scare in the Square duties. High school community hours will be available. Accepted volunteers will be required to take mandatory virtual training on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Volunteer Applications are available at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare and will be accepted until Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Sponsorship opportunities

Each year, Scare in the Square attracts an estimated 7,000 visitors of all ages to the vibrant downtown. Learn how your company or brand can be involved and become a sponsor to help support this free community event. Sponsor Applications are available at Brantford.ca/ScareintheSquare 

Thank you to this year’s partners and sponsors 

Our sincere thanks to our community sponsors for making this incredible lineup of activities possible including; Brantford Professional Fire Fighters Association, Boyle Plumbing and Heating, Contact Brant, Domino’s Pizza, Farm Boy, Five Nineteen Productions, Fright Club, Global Pet Foods, Healthcare & Municipal Employee’s Credit Union, JH Young Jewellers, Kiddies Fun Trak, Lancaster Construction/Bins, Len’s Mill Store, Levac’s, The Ontario Paranormal Society, Millards Chartered Professional Accountants, Mitsui High-tec (Canada), Inc, Renway Energy Inc, Royal Nails, ServiceMaster Restore, TD Bank Group, and West Brant Window World. To become a sponsor for this event please contact harmonysquare@brantford.ca.

Photo caption: Scare in the Square downtown Brantford 2025.

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Media contact:

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

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