Family Day Activities in Brantford

Family Day, the third Monday of February, is the perfect midwinter excuse to get out of the house and spend some quality time together. And Brantford goes all out for the long weekend, with a city-wide celebration plus plenty of other ways to fill three days, whether your crew loves to be outside in the snow or would rather stay cozy and warm. Here is your guide to Family Day in Brantford and Brant County, from the big downtown party to indoor backups and easy day trips.

The main event: Winter Fun Fest

The City of Brantford’s Winter Fun Fest is the centrepiece of the Family Day weekend, having taken over from the long-loved Frosty Fest as the city’s big winter celebration. It runs across the long weekend, and most of it is free. The heart of it is downtown at Harmony Square, with plenty happening nearby too:

• Harmony Square: skating on the outdoor rink (weather permitting), classic s’mores by the campfire, horse-drawn trolley rides through downtown for a couple of dollars, hot chocolate, face painting, and a rotating lineup of games and rides. Past years have featured everything from a DJ skate party and carousel rides to a life-sized Hungry Human Hippos game and even fireworks.
• One Market: Wilfrid Laurier University hosts a free indoor Purple and Gold Party with bouncy castles, giant Jenga, balloon animals, character meet-and-greets, crafts, and special guests. It is a fantastic warm backup if the weather turns nasty.
• Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre: public swims and public skating are offered throughout the long weekend, a great way to burn off some energy indoors.
• Bell Homestead National Historic Site: special guided tours of Alexander Graham Bell’s historic home are offered at a discounted rate (often just a couple of dollars) on the Monday. Pre-booking is required, and little ones get in free.

The exact schedule and attractions change a little each year (and one recent year the outdoor event was even snowed out and rescheduled), so check Brantford.ca/WinterFunFest for the current year’s full lineup before you head out.

Lace up and go skating

Beyond the festival, skating is the quintessential Family Day activity. The refrigerated outdoor rink at Harmony Square is free and open through the season, and the City and County also maintain volunteer-built neighbourhood rinks when the weather cooperates. Don’t have skates for everyone? The City runs a Community Skate Exchange for gently used pairs, so the whole family can get on the ice without a big outlay.

Hit the hills

Tobogganing is free, easy, and a guaranteed hit with kids. The City of Brantford maintains a dedicated sledding hill at Arrowdale Community Park (282 Stanley Street), and over in the County of Brant there are designated hills at Bemrose Park in Paris and King William Park in St. George. Bundle up, bring a sturdy sled, and follow the posted rules.

Get outside and explore

If your family loves the fresh air, the area’s trail network is beautiful in winter for a walk or a snowshoe, with the SC Johnson Trail and the local conservation areas all worth a visit. And if anyone is itching to hit the slopes, the nearest downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing is a short drive away at Chicopee near Kitchener. For more cold-weather ideas, see our full guide to winter activities in Brantford.

Beat the cold indoors

When it is just too bitter to be outside, Brantford has plenty of indoor options to keep everyone happy:

• Explore local history at the Bell Homestead, the Canadian Military Heritage Museum, or the Brant Museum and Archives.
• Catch a show at the historic Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts.
• Get creative at a paint-your-own pottery studio, or check the Brantford Public Library for free family programming.
• Let the kids loose at an indoor play or trampoline park.
• Keep it simple at home with a craft afternoon, a board-game tournament, or a family movie marathon.

Make a day of it

Feeling ambitious? Brantford’s central location makes a Family Day road trip easy. Toronto is about an hour and a half away, with kid-friendly favourites like the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, and the Hockey Hall of Fame. A CityPASS can save you money if you plan to hit more than one attraction. Closer to home, nearby cities like Hamilton and Cambridge offer their own museums and family attractions for a shorter outing.

Or simply slow down

Family Day does not have to be packed with activities to be meaningful. Sometimes the best long weekend is a quiet one: a stack of new books, a baking project with the kids, board games by the window, and nowhere to be. After a busy winter, a little downtime together is its own kind of celebration.

However you choose to spend it, Family Day is a lovely reminder of what makes Brantford and Brant County such a wonderful place to raise a family: a close-knit community with lots to do, all close to home. If putting down roots here is on your mind, we would love to help you find the right place for your family. Browse homes for sale in the area or reach out to our team any time. Happy Family Day!